Help Me Tear My Project Apart Checklist (Be Brave)

Remember, the more steps you have to take (i.e., pay for) to make a project work, the higher the likelihood it’s not the best project. Work with the land and the community (land is also an ecological community), not against it.

Questions to Ask Yourself About Your Project

Is your thorough biological survey/review done to aid in excellent PLANNING, not to just 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 (including 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? Considering legal action? Why? (For starters, your project will adversely affect their property values?). You always have the option to listen. Don’t expect them to change once you cram it down a community’s throat. Expect them to hold you accountable thereafter.

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: wildlife, 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 taking existing agricultural land permanently out of production? High quality soil and water are FINITE resources. Nature isn’t making any more pristine fertile soil, just like nature isn’t creating new permanent pristine water sources=including the water you will need for your project.

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?

Is there the possibility you could give something TO the community they would love, that would BUILD community, secure your legacy as someone who CONTRIBUTED to the community? About which fond stories may be told? Have you done the imagination check?

ECOTOURISM NEVER GOES OUT OF BUSINESS.

What is the imagination check? It’s challenging yourself to consider every way you can make money from the project, but still enhance and support the community without sacrificing all the elements that make it special. The possibilities are endless. Ideas include parks/open space, projects that create parks/open space as part of the project (such as a local brewery that is also a farm open to the public. In addition to making excellent local brew, it sells its produce to its customers and local restaurants. It’s thriving 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!

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