Site Planning and Design Flashcards

What does 'topography' refer to in site analysis?

Answer: The configuration of the land surface including slopes, elevations, and contours

Topography describes the three-dimensional shape of the land, depicted on drawings with contour lines representing lines of equal elevation.

Which survey document establishes a property's legal boundaries, easements, and existing improvements?

Answer: ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey

An ALTA survey provides a comprehensive boundary and improvement survey that locates easements, encroachments, and title exceptions critical to site planning.

A 100-year storm event in hydrology means what?

Answer: A storm with a 1% probability of occurring in any given year

A 100-year storm has a 1% annual exceedance probability, meaning there is a 1% chance of that storm magnitude occurring in any given year.

What is the purpose of a retention pond on a developed site?

Answer: To permanently store stormwater on-site and allow it to infiltrate or slowly release

Retention ponds hold stormwater permanently, controlling peak discharge rates and allowing infiltration or controlled release to mimic pre-development hydrology.

Sun path diagrams are used in site design primarily to determine what?

Answer: Shadow patterns on a site at different times of year to optimize building orientation

Sun path diagrams show the sun's altitude and azimuth at different times of day and seasons, enabling architects to optimize orientation for solar gain, shading, and daylighting.

What does the term 'easement' mean in the context of property law and site design?

Answer: A legal right to use another's land for a specific purpose

An easement grants a specific right to use a portion of another's property—such as for utilities, access, or drainage—without granting ownership.