Section 2 Discussion

[vln...@gmail.com]

1. Which is more important when analyzing wildlife? What would we need mapping of?

Vegetation or Habitats?

2. Can facility sizes in a design be flexible due to...

-Adjacent land use?

-Specific site design requirements?

-Zoning ordinances?

-dwelling units/acre?

3. Does Zoning ordinances deal with: health and safety requirements of buildings? or Community goals? or both?

4. Which would affect the "density" of a residential area?

-Setbacks?

-Lot sizes?

-Percent lot coverage?

-FAR?

[Melody]

Hi, I am also going to take the Section 2 exam this August. Still studying, but here are my two cents:

1. I would choose habitats for wildlife. Vegetation is another analysis subject I think.

2. Not so sure what the question means?

3. I think both. According to Site analysis(LaGro), the comprehensive plan is implemented through zoning codes and other land use regulations. And the comprehensive plan is all about public health, safety, and welfare and community goal.

4. all. Because density ratio = the number of dwellings divided by the area of land they occupy. So the first three are directly related. Building height will also affect residential density, so FAR is the correct answer, too.

[ADMIN]

I would argue that community goals are outlined in a masterplan document, not a zoning ordinance.

[Emily Garavuso]

I would say zoning has more to do with land use compatibility. Codes covers building safety. Comprehensive plans include community goals. Master plan show how something could be developed in the future.

[Son]

Thank you guys!

1. I always believed vegetation to be the most important factor to wildlife but I guess to "analyze", we need to look into habitats.

2. Sorry about the confusion. I meant to ask if restrooms, soccer fields, playgrounds, etc can deter from standard sizes do to the following:

-Adjacent land use?

-Specific site design requirements?

-Zoning ordinances?

-dwelling units/acre?

3. Yes, I agree that community future goals tie into comprehensive master plans. Zoning would relate to safety and health.

4. I think I found "min. lot size and setbacks" as a reasonable answer. 

Russ-Site Planning book:

Zoning requirements of initial concern include the permitted uses, density, minimum

lot sizes, setbacks, and open space. Care should be taken to consider the effect of wetlands,

floodplains, or other site conditions that might influence the useful area in terms of

density on the proposed site. Some zoning ordinances require special setbacks between

different types of uses, such as a buffer area between residential and commercial land

uses. The requirement for buffers, screening, and open space should be noted.

[Son]

Another question: 

1. What would be a natural watershed delineation besides a ridge?

-Slope aspect?

-Tributaries?

I initial thought of tributaries (rivers and streams) but then considered slope aspect as it could affect vegetation thus affecting the watershed downstream.

2. Which is more important for a new development?

-Boundary survey?

-Plat map?

I would go with a plat map because a boundary survey creates a plat map right? BUT, for a new development, do we need to conduct a new boundary survey to update the plat map? I'm a little confused between these terms and ALTA, land survey, border survey, parcel/ lot survey or boundary. 

[Son]

Just found more info to question 4 in PPI

Density can be controlled for office and residential projects with Percentage of lot coverage and Height Limitations.

[Kirsten Radomski]

I think I might have some solutions for you...

1.  I think slope aspect is in there to confuse you.  watershed delineation is based on topography.  While you are correct that slope aspect would affect vegetation and the time of concentration of a watershed it doesn't delineate it.. 

2.  Plat map i think would be the answer.  

A boundary survey has the least amount of information - just the boundary usually.  A plat would have other information included(as well as the boundary), and is usually used when you want to get permission to do something from the city/county etc.  Like combining or subdividing parcels.  

[Melody]

1. I think it should be tributaries. Watershed doesn't do anything with the slope aspect. One thing I have learned from this exam is that don't think too much, just select the answer that directly relates to the question. ;)

2. I would say Boundary survey. A plat map usually only shows the boundary information, sqft, some record numbers of a lot. But boundary survey will also show easement, encroachment, structure, r/w, true property corners, bearing, etc. ALTA is a national standard boundary survey. I am not so sure about the land survey though...maybe a land survey has topo info in it?

[Son]

Thank you all!

1. I would go with Tributaries over Aspect.

2. After some thought and your inputs, I would stick with a Boundary Survey instead of a Plat map as it entails obtaining "new information" of the site before development. It's a choice between using an existing plat map(may be outdated?) or updating it with a boundary survey.

http://gslandsurveying.com/plat-of-survey-boundary-survey

[Son]

For this original question that I posted, I found a very similar question available to us by CLARB on Question 15! See attached.

2. Can facility sizes in a design be flexible due to...

-Adjacent land use?

-Specific site design requirements?

-Zoning ordinances?

-dwelling units/acre?

CLARB:

Analyze On and Offsite Relationships

15. Facilities within a park can deviate from standard size requirements due to which of the

following? Choose all that apply.

a. Specific site design requirements.

b. Site characteristics.

c. Agency policies.

d. Adjoining land use.

Answer: A, B, C

[Son]

Melody,

I found this answer in "Lagro-Site Analysis book"

2. Intensity of the use. 

For residential uses, intensity is expressed as dwelling unit density—minimum lot sizes for single-family residential districts and number of

dwelling units per acre/hectare for multifamily residential districts. 

For nonresidential districts, intensity may be expressed as floor area ratio (FAR) (how many square feet of building can be built on an area of land) or building height (number of stories allowed).

Therefore, the correct answer would be"Lot Size". 

[Melody]

But I think the question is asking what affects the intensity, not how to express intensity? I still think all four answers are correct. I found an example of a residential zoning regulation (City of Oakland, CA - see link below). 

http://www2.oaklandnet.com/oakca1/groups/ceda/documents/report/oak063623.pdf

[Ash]

I took section 2 in August.

Not giving out specifics but I felt there are some list of topics from clarb that weren't even covered on the test...

I expected more in depth knowledge questions and was a little disappointed that I studied hard on these topics but weren't tested on.

It's already hard enough studying for a test where the list of suggested reading may not cover all the topics on the test and now the topics that are supposed to be on the test aren't? How are we supposed to study correctly?!

Anyone else experience this too?

[Yuri Robles]

I have inherited some study material from a person that got licensed last year. One of the documents is called Lare Orientation Guide 2013. Does anyone know about this and is the information still relevant or outdated?

[ADMIN]

Very outdated. CLARB has the most recent (2017) on their website. FYI this is a free resource.

[Lindsay Mugglestone]

I would say that habitat includes vegetation. It's the whole picture -- plants, climate, elevation, water, etc.