Help Me Tear My Project Apart Checklist (Be Brave)

Remember, the more steps you have to take (pay for) to make it work, the higher the likelihood it’s not the best project. Work with the land, not against it.

Questions to Ask Yourself About Your Project

Is your thorough biological survey/review done to aid in excellent PLANNING, not to cram through permits. You can’t plan anything until the biological surveys are completed. They will tell you what you can and CANNOT do. Ignore at your peril (and financially).

Is the market already saturated with your kind of project, even worse, at a high
vacancy rate? Then why in the world are you doing it?

Is the local community already against it? Why? You always have the option to listen.

Is your project too ambitious for the space/parcel size? (Footprint’s too big? Not enough parking, will place high use pressure on existing utilities, water? Cause light pollution? Change pedestrian and vehicle traffic patterns? Cause cascade effects?).

Cascade effects are just what they say–one thing triggers a whole new set of negative problems. The more cascade effects, generally the worse the project.

Does it anticipate the future? More heat? Less water? Does it create more heat, heat island effects, or otherwise remove mitigating factors that reduce this?

Is it being installed on a steep slope that may cause erosion or even require major hardscaping to prevent it? Will it be maintained over the long run?

Will it impact community natural and historical/cultural assets, and ecosystem functions? Ex: sensitive/extraordinary natural features (ex: old-growth trees), sensitive species/ecosystems, wetlands/the watershed, views, vistas, shade (shade is an extremely important natural asset and ecosystem function, especially now). Will it adversely affect experiences the community loves? Traditions? Will it destroy the assets that make the community special? Do you understand fully what these are? Do you care?

Is it going to be ugly? Mar views, or otherwise destroy features that make the community special? Will it change the character of the community? People move to a place because they like the community they move to–THE WAY IT IS. Generally, they do NOT want this to change. When in doubt, leave the community alone. Enhance it. Don’t destroy it.

Is it in full compliance with all local, county, state, and federal plans, ordinances, and regulations?

Have you done the imagination check? Consider every way you can make money from the project, but still enhance and support the community AS IT IS? Ecotourism never goes out of business! Ideas include parks or projects that create parks and open space as a high priority to dovetail into a project (such as a local brewery that is also a farm open to the public; it’s thriving both from locals and tourists); nature centers, museums, native wildflower festivals/events (hundreds of thousands of dollars generated in Southern CA), farm tours, gardens, ice skating rinks, so much more! We’re full of ideas! (But we also want to know what your community would like).

Need help with this process? We can help you! Call us!