Each year during National Surveyors Week, we recognize the professionals who define the land beneath our feet and provide the critical data that shapes every successful project. Surveying is one of the oldest professions, yet it remains one of the most essential, supporting land ownership, infrastructure development, and community growth.
Surveyors Week is a reflection of the work we are proud to deliver every day, helping clients move forward with clarity, confidence, and precision.
Defining the Foundation of Every Project
Before design begins, before construction starts, and before decisions are finalized, surveying lays the groundwork. From boundary surveys that establish property lines to topographic surveys that reveal the character of the land, our team provides the accurate, reliable data that projects depend on.
Every survey represents more than measurements. It provides:
Confidence in property ownership and boundaries
Critical insight for planning and design
Reduced risk during development and construction
A clear path forward for projects of every scale
Whether confirming where a property begins and ends or mapping elevation, drainage, and existing features, our surveyors ensure that every project starts with the right information.
Turning Data Into Direction
Surveying is both a science and a skill. Our team combines advanced technology, such as GPS-enabled instruments, 3D laser scanning, and drone mapping, with deep expertise and local knowledge.
This allows us to deliver:
Precise boundary surveys that stand up to legal and regulatory standards
Detailed topographic surveys that guide smart, efficient design
Data-driven insights that help uncover opportunities and avoid costly surprises
We don’t just collect data, we interpret it, providing context that helps clients, engineers, and designers make informed decisions.
The People Behind the Precision
Behind every accurate map and reliable dataset is a team committed to excellence.
Our surveyors bring together technical expertise, field experience, and problem-solving to support increasingly complex projects. As communities grow and infrastructure evolves, the need for precise, dependable surveying continues to expand.
We are proud to play a role in that process, supporting development, protecting property rights, and helping bring projects to life from the ground up.
This Surveyors Week, we celebrate the professionals who define the starting point of every project and the lasting impact their work has on the communities we serve.
Collaborative Addressing: A Modern GIS Approach for Smarter Communities
“In cartography, as in medicine, art and science are inseparable. The perfect map blends art and science into an effective tool of visual communication.” — Dr. Keith Harries
Address management may seem routine—but for local governments, it’s a mission-critical function. From emergency response and public safety to planning, permitting, and utility coordination, accurate address data underpins nearly every civic operation. Yet in many communities, address management still relies on fragmented systems and disconnected workflows, creating inefficiencies that ripple across departments.
Elkhart County, Indiana, recognized this challenge and chose a different path—one rooted in collaboration, transparency, and GIS technology. By implementing a unified, Esri-powered address management system, the county established a scalable governance model that now serves as a best-practice example for communities nationwide.
The Challenge: Disconnected Processes, Delayed Services
For years, address creation and maintenance in Elkhart County operated in silos. Municipalities, emergency services, planning departments, and private developers each followed their own systems and timelines. The result was a set of recurring challenges:
Inconsistent address records across agencies
Delays in emergency response caused by outdated or mismatched data
Redundant workflows and unclear authority over address assignment
Limited transparency for developers and residents navigating the process
This fractured model created administrative burden—and, more importantly, risk. When public safety and development depend on accurate geographic data, fragmentation isn’t just inefficient—it’s dangerous.
The Solution: A Unified, GIS-Based Addressing Ecosystem
To modernize its approach, Elkhart County implemented a centralized address management workflow built on Esri GIS technology. The new system established a single authoritative source of truth for address data, supported by several key capabilities:
Standardized address creation protocols aligned across municipalities
Automated validation rules to enforce consistency and reduce human error
Real-time status dashboards to track addresses from submission through approval
A public-facing GIS Hub site for transparency, education, and direct stakeholder access
Together, these tools created a fully integrated platform that supports emergency dispatch, land use planning, infrastructure development, and economic growth.
Collaboration: The True Catalyst for Change
While technology enabled the transformation, collaboration made it successful. Elkhart County built a shared governance structure that brought together:
City, township, and county leadership
Emergency service providers to ensure public-safety readiness
Developers, utilities, and private sector partners to align timelines and expectations
The county also prioritized training and user support to ensure both technical and non-technical staff could confidently use the new tools. This investment in people ensured the system wasn’t just implemented—it was adopted.
Workflow Improvements at a Glance
Automated Address Validation: Reduces duplication and enforces consistency
Live Tracking & Status Updates: Improves transparency across departments and external users
Public Hub Integration: Educates residents and developers while streamlining communication
Centralized Data Access: Ensures all agencies work from one accurate, real-time dataset
The Results: Faster, Smarter, and More Transparent
Since launching the GIS-based workflow, Elkhart County has realized significant benefits:
Faster approval timelines for new and updated addresses
Improved emergency response readiness with real-time, accurate location data
Reduced administrative burden and clearer interagency roles
Increased public trust through transparency and consistent communication
What was once a reactive, fragmented process is now a coordinated, proactive public service.
Key Lessons for Other Communities
Elkhart County’s experience offers actionable insights for any local government pursuing modernization:
Engage stakeholders early and often to ensure alignment and buy-in
Automate strategically without overcomplicating the user experience
Invest in continuous training to support long-term adoption
Design for scalability to serve both rural and urban growth
A Model for Regional GIS Innovation
Elkhart County’s addressing initiative demonstrates what’s possible when GIS technology, strategic governance, and collaboration intersect. By aligning tools, people, and processes, the county laid the foundation for smarter growth, improved safety, and stronger public trust.
This project reinforces a simple truth: innovative governance starts with smart data. And with the right framework in place, even foundational systems like address management can drive efficiency, transparency, and community confidence for years to come.
Boundary Surveys: Drawing the Line with Confidence
We know that buying, building, or developing land comes with big decisions and sometimes even bigger questions. One of the most common is: “Where does my property actually begin and end?” That’s where a boundary survey comes in.
What Is a Boundary Survey?
Think of a boundary survey as drawing the “frame” around your property. Our licensed surveyors dig into historical records, study plats and deeds, and combine that research with precise fieldwork using advanced GPS and mapping tools. The result is a clear, legally recognized map of your property lines.
Why Boundary Surveys Matter
A boundary survey might feel like just another box to check, but it’s often the step that prevents headaches down the road. Here’s why:
Peace of Mind for Property Owners Nobody wants to find out that a fence, driveway, or even a building sits on the wrong side of the line. A survey gives you certainty and can resolve disputes before they even start.
Smart Development Starts Here Whether you’re planning a new home, a commercial development, or a community space, you need to know exactly what land you’re working with. Surveys give designers and engineers the confidence to plan without costly surprises later.
Smooth Real Estate Transactions Lenders, buyers, and title companies often require boundary surveys. They help confirm that the land being sold matches the description in the deed, avoiding confusion (and extra costs) at closing.
Protecting Long-Term Value When your boundaries are clear, so is your investment. You can make improvements with confidence, knowing your property is protected.
More Than Just Measurements
Technology has changed the way we survey. At Abonmarche, we use tools like GPS-enabled instruments and drone mapping to deliver highly accurate results faster than ever before. But while technology is powerful, our team’s experience and judgment make the difference. We combine precision, local knowledge, and decades of expertise to ensure every survey stands up to scrutiny.
Why Work with Abonmarche
For us, a boundary survey isn’t just about drawing lines on a map; it’s about helping people move forward with clarity and confidence. Whether you’re a homeowner, developer, or municipality, surveys are the first step in building something great.
We don’t just define boundaries; we provide peace of mind.
The Challenge: Meeting Modern Infrastructure Demands
Municipal utilities face increasing pressure to meet evolving demands, including compliance with new regulations such as Indiana House Bill 1459; Public Law 91, which requires reporting on a utility’s asset management program every four years. These are specifically addressed to Sanitary Sewer Collection Systems and Water Distribution Systems. (Notably, this law does not currently apply to Stormwater-Only systems.) Utilities must find ways to meet these compliance requirements typically with more limited resources, amid shrinking budgets, and aging infrastructure. This is all while ensuring rapid response to emergencies and maintaining public transparency. Unfortunately, many traditional work order systems—often reliant on spreadsheets or disconnected from spatial data—limit visibility, increase the risk of missed maintenance tasks, and lead to inefficiencies that can undermine the long-term health of critical infrastructure.
The GIS-Based Solution: Hebron, Indiana
To overcome these challenges, Hebron partnered with Abonmarche/Axia using ESRI GIS software to implement a GIS-integrated WOM solution. Some of the ESRI products utilized were: an ArcGIS Online Organizational Account, Field Maps, and ArcGIS Workforce. This solution connects the office and the field through real-time, location-aware data, allowing teams to visualize, prioritize, and act more responsively to repair requests, asset collection/documentation, inspections, capital improvement planning, and maintenance needs.
Understanding the Workflow
Hebron’s system organizes work management into three distinct components:
Requests – Submitted by staff or the public.
Work Orders from Requests – Generated in response to citizen calls, complaints, or submitted issues.
Work Orders from Proactive Maintenance – Initiated based on routine maintenance schedules or staff observations.
This approach ensures both reactive and proactive maintenance tasks are captured and tracked efficiently, supporting a shift toward predictive infrastructure management.
Key Benefits
Rapid Emergency Response GIS visibility allows for precise dispatching and shorter response times during storm events or sewer backups.
Informed Capital Planning Historical maintenance data, condition ratings, and usage patterns justify funding requests and help prioritize capital improvement projects.
Regulatory Compliance The system supports compliance with HB 1459 by generating reports and dashboards that demonstrate ongoing asset management efforts.
Improved Public Trust Fewer disruptions, faster service, and visible investment in infrastructure build credibility with residents and stakeholders.
Staff Empowerment & Efficiency Field staff can update records from the job site, reducing duplication, increasing accountability, and improving job satisfaction.
Implementation Insights: Lessons from Hebron
Start Small; Scale Smart Begin with one area (e.g., catch basins) and expand incrementally. Phased rollouts reduce overwhelming staff and ensure strong user adoption.
Engage Field Crews Early Successful implementation depends on buy-in from the team doing the work. Involve them in design and testing.
Identify and Train Champions Power users serve as internal support and trainers, creating momentum and reducing reliance on outside consultants.
Communicate Consistently Clear definitions, process transparency, and regular updates ensure alignment across teams.
Technology Is a Tool, Not a Substitute The system enhances collaboration—it doesn’t replace it. Human insight remains essential.
The Bigger Picture: GIS as a Catalyst for Infrastructure Innovation
Hebron’s story reflects a broader shift in municipal infrastructure management. GIS-based WOM systems are not just operational tools; they are strategic investments. They allow communities to:
Proactively extend the life of assets
Allocate resources more effectively
Increase transparency for constituents
Build the foundation for future smart city initiatives
As more municipalities embrace integrated, location-based asset management systems, the benefits will be felt not only underground but also across every department, every budget, and every resident served.
Designing for Industry: How Architecture Drives Production
In today’s rapidly evolving industrial landscape, architecture is more than aesthetics—it’s a strategic tool for driving productivity and performance. With over 40% of Midwest manufacturers planning capital expenditures exceeding $1 million in 2025, facility design is becoming a critical part of the conversation.
As manufacturers expand or retool to meet rising demand, efficiency, safety, and adaptability are top priorities. Industrial architecture plays a pivotal role in this process, transforming operational goals into physical spaces that work as hard as the people inside them.
We specialize in designing environments that empower industrial operations. For example, we proudly partnered with Wieland, working with Global paper manufacturer Sofidel on the design of their newest facility, right here in the Midwest From the initial kickoff to final delivery, our architecture team is focused on aligning building performance with client production goals.
Strategic Design = Operational Efficiency
Effective industrial design starts by understanding a client’s processes. For Sofidel, our architects worked closely with engineers, plant managers, and equipment vendors to ensure spatial layouts supported streamlined workflows, minimized downtime, and met rigorous safety standards.
Thoughtful design directly impacts:
Material flow: Optimized layouts reduce travel distance and boost throughput.
Worker productivity: Natural light, ventilation, and ergonomic spaces support performance and morale.
Scalability: Flexible infrastructure makes future expansions faster and more cost-effective.
Sustainability Meets Industrial Strength
Modern manufacturing facilities must also meet sustainability goals. In the Sofidel project, we integrated efficient lighting systems, energy-saving HVAC design, and sustainable materials to reduce the building’s environmental footprint—without compromising durability or performance.
Partnership from Concept to Completion
From site selection and permitting through architectural design and construction oversight, our team delivers comprehensive support for industrial projects. We bring together architects, engineers, and project managers who speak the language of manufacturing and understand how space can fuel growth.
Whether expanding a production line or breaking ground on a greenfield facility, your architecture partner should help you build smarter, safer, and stronger.
Full-Depth Reclamation: A Cost-Effective and Sustainable Solution for Parking Lot Renovation
As budgets tighten and environmental concerns grow, finding efficient and sustainable solutions for parking lot renovations has never been more important. Enter Full-Depth Reclamation (FDR)—an innovative, in-place recycling method that transforms existing parking lots and light-duty drives into durable, eco-friendly spaces.
FDR is a game changer for pavement reconstruction. Rather than hauling away old materials, this method recycles the existing pavement and stone sub-base by grinding them up and mixing them with Portland Cement and other materials. The result? A strong, solid foundation for a new asphalt surface that can withstand the demands of today’s vehicles. Not only does this process improve structural capacity, but it also addresses a variety of pavement issues, from rutting and potholes to rough areas and cracking.
What makes FDR particularly attractive is its environmental and financial benefits. By reusing the materials already in place, you can reduce waste and preserve natural resources. Additionally, FDR is typically more cost-effective than traditional removal and replacement methods, providing facility owners and managers with a longer asset life cycle and significant savings. But that’s not all. FDR also offers the opportunity to enhance lot drainage during the reconstruction process, further improving the long-term functionality of the space.
As an approved method for road reconstruction by the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), FDR has proven its success in projects across the nation.
One recent example is our work at Westview Schools in Topeka, IN, where FDR was successfully utilized on the High School and Middle School campus. Despite slight modifications, FDR provided a cost-effective solution to a major renovation challenge for the Warriors.
If you’re facing budget challenges with parking lot or road maintenance, especially when schedules are tight, FDR might be the perfect solution. Let us tell you how this approach can work for your next project, just as it did for Westview Schools!
Designing with Nature: Kathy Burczak’s 32-Year Legacy in Landscape Architecture
When you speak with Kathy Burczak, Abonmarche’s Senior Landscape Architect, one thing becomes clear: she was born for this work. With more than 32 years at Abonmarche and a career shaped by a reverence for nature and history, Kathy has helped bring to life cherished public spaces across Michigan and Indiana.
Returning Home, Finding Purpose
Kathy’s journey began in Northwest Indiana. After gaining valuable early experience and brief stint in Vermont she moved to South West Michigan and began her work with Abonmarche. “I’ve been with Abonmarche for over 32 years,” she says. “I came back to the area because it’s home.” Kathy’s work embraces a naturalistic design aesthetic—spaces that appear to have been shaped by nature itself. She attributes this approach to the influence of legendary landscape architect Jens Jensen. “Early in my career, I worked on parks originally designed by Jensen. He probably influenced my design philosophy more than anyone else.”
Sustainability with Soul
Sustainability is woven into every element of Kathy’s work. From the reuse of materials to intentional plant selection, she designs with both longevity and ecology in mind. But for Kathy, sustainability is about more than environmental stewardship—it’s about creating spaces that people love, use, and return to time and again.
Designing for Community
When asked to name a favorite project, Kathy finds it difficult to choose just one. “There are several that come to mind,” she says. Among them:
Allegan Riverfront, where a former parking lot was transformed into a vibrant destination complete with a music venue, splash pad, and public gathering spaces.
New Buffalo Streetscape, a reimagining of downtown that revitalized the community’s public realm.
Jean Klock Park, where she helped restore elements of Jens Jensen’s original design while incorporating modern amenities.
Harbor Shores, including her current work on the Wee Golf Course, designed as a short course for golfers of all ages.
Challenges and Triumphs
Designing public spaces often comes with challenges—especially budgetary constraints. “Site elements are often the first to go,” Kathy notes. Yet she remains committed to balancing aesthetics, function, and sustainability. Her guiding principle? “Designs should never feel forced—they should feel like they’ve always belonged.”
A Fun Twist on the Journey
One of the more unexpected moments in Kathy’s story? “I turned down a full-paid scholarship to cosmetology school,” she laughs. “My English teacher probably convinced me it wasn’t the right path—likely after seeing my hair!” Kathy’s passion, experience, and connection to place have left an enduring legacy—not only at Abonmarche, but in the communities she’s helped shape. Her work continues to evolve and inspire, just like the spaces she so thoughtfully brings to life.
Collaborating to Tackle Lead Water Lines with GIS Technology
We are committed to improving community health and safety through collaboration and innovation. Our recent efforts, as highlighted by GIS Specialist George Nikokiris in a podcast and blog post with Esri, demonstrate how we’re using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology to address the critical issue of lead contamination in water supply lines across northern Indiana and southwestern Michigan.
The Hidden Danger of Lead Pipes
While lead was once a common choice for plumbing due to its durability, we now know the serious health risks it poses, especially when it contaminates drinking water. Many communities remain unaware of where lead pipes are located within their water systems, causing delays in necessary actions to protect public health.
The Risks of Lead Contamination
Lead exposure is particularly harmful to young children, pregnant women, and pets. Long-term exposure can lead to developmental delays, learning disabilities, and other severe health issues. Identifying and replacing these pipes is crucial for ensuring safe drinking water for all residents.
Our Collaborative Approach to Mapping Lead Pipes
In his conversation with Esri, George Nikokiris emphasizes how Abonmarche’s GIS team collaborates with local leaders and residents to address this challenge. We are working to create detailed, comprehensive inventories of water supply lines, which will help communities identify the presence of lead pipes and prioritize their replacement.
“Collaboration with local residents and leaders is key to tackling the issue of lead contamination. By using GIS technology and community engagement, we are building stronger, safer neighborhoods.” — George Nikokiris, GIS Specialist at Abonmarche
Utilizing GIS Technology for Better Mapping
Our approach includes extensive research, including delving into historical records, to accurately map and track lead pipe locations. GIS technology allows us to create interactive maps that visualize the extent of lead pipe usage in each area, helping local authorities make informed decisions about water system improvements.
Community Engagement in Lead Pipe Identification
Community involvement is at the heart of our initiative. Through the use of ArcGIS Hub sites, we are empowering residents to actively participate in the identification of lead service lines. Our efforts include:
Distributing informative door hangers to educate residents about the dangers of lead pipes
Conducting surveys to gather community insights on water service line conditions
Establishing online platforms where residents can report potential issues and monitor the progress of lead pipe replacements
By fostering community engagement, we are raising awareness and creating a shared sense of responsibility for improving water safety.
Join Us in This Essential Initiative
We invite you to learn more about how we’re leveraging GIS technology to improve water safety and engage local communities in addressing the lead pipe issue. Together, we can help pave the way to a healthier, safer environment for everyone.
Celebrating Chris Cook: Inaugural Recipient of the 2024 Michigander Alumni Award
Abonmarche is proud to announce that Christopher J. Cook, the firm’s former President and CEO, has been awarded the inaugural 2024 Michigander Alumni Award by the University of Michigan College of Engineering. This prestigious honor recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the State of Michigan and their local communities, reflecting the core values of Abonmarche.
A Legacy of Excellence
With over 35 years in civil engineering, Chris has been instrumental in enhancing transportation, water, and sewer infrastructure across Michigan. His journey at Abonmarche, where he rose from project manager to President and CEO, has been pivotal to our growth and success. Under his leadership, we have expanded our reach, serving clients across Michigan and Indiana from multiple locations.
Community Commitment
Chris’s impact extends far beyond his engineering expertise. His dedication to community service began in his youth and continues to flourish today. He has held various leadership roles, including Chairman of the Benton Harbor Planning Commission, and served on zoning boards of appeals in Cadillac and St. Joseph. For the past 16 years, he has been the Treasurer for the St. Joseph Public Schools Board of Education, where his thoughtful decisions have positively influenced countless students and families.
His commitment to service has not gone unnoticed. For his extensive contributions, Chris has received the ACEC National Community Service award and the Merlin Hanson Exemplary Business Leader Award.
Voices of Support
Ronald Brenke, Executive Director of the ACEC of Michigan, praised Chris’s community involvement, stating, “Chris genuinely cares about issues affecting the quality of life for residents and is always willing to volunteer his time to further a cause.”
Rob Cleveland, President and CEO of Cornerstone Alliance, noted, “Cook has repeatedly put himself in the crosshairs for advancing all Berrien County residents. Under his leadership, Abonmarche has been at the forefront of Benton Harbor’s resurgence.”
Jeff Noel, former Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs at Whirlpool Corporation, commended Cook’s leadership qualities, highlighting his legacy of fairness and ability to unite people around shared goals.
Transformative Contributions
In addition to his community service, Chris has collaborated with the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy on process improvement initiatives, helping communities across the state reduce costs and access funding. His expertise with the State Revolving Loan Fund, Asset Management, and Capital Improvement Planning has made him a key player in these efforts.
As the current Managing Director of Harbor Shores Development, Chris has been vital in revitalizing Benton Harbor. The Harbor Shores project transformed over 500 acres of blighted property into a vibrant community, featuring a renowned Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course and new residential developments—demonstrating the profound impact civil engineering has on local economic growth.
An Inspiration for Future Engineers
Chris’s journey from a University of Michigan student to a leader in civil engineering serves as an inspiration for current and future engineers. His story reminds us all of the vital role civil engineers play in shaping our communities and improving lives.
We invite you to learn more about Chris Cook and his remarkable contributions to our community. For more information, visit the University of Michigan Alumni Awards or check out the Abonmarche Leadership page for insights into Chris’s impactful career.
Many communities are faced with what can feel like insurmountable odds when attempting to address a lack of affordable housing options for residents at all income levels. The issue can be complicated when policies and processes unintentionally exacerbate the already high costs and long construction timeline for residential projects. For many of our partner communities, working with a professional planning team can help define their housing needs and provide a roadmap for making progress toward resolving this shortage.
How Local Zoning Ordinances and Plans Can Be A Tool to Help Alleviate Your Housing Issues
Based on a community’s character and vision for the future, some modifications to local regulations, policies, and processes can help to incentivize and spur the production of additional housing units. If your community has not reviewed and evaluated your zoning ordinances and policies recently, a thorough examination of the document to determine if it still serves your community may be in order. If your ordinance has not been updated in several years – or decades – there may be a chance that it no longer fits the community’s current needs or development trends.
Updating your zoning ordinances can be a great way for planners to help communities reevaluate their priorities, character, and vision for their future. A zoning ordinance is designed to set the standard for development in each zoning district, and that can change over time. For this reason, it is very important to look at your zoning ordinance on a regular basis to ensure it is still serving your community. Some common elements you may want to review are:
Regularly requested variances
Use of Planned Unit Developments (PUDs)
Current density standards by zoning district
If housing in a variety of housing styles and types are allowed by right in residential districts
Ways your community’s plans and policies can help address housing demand
Create a Master (Michigan) / Comprehensive (Indiana) Plan if you don’t already have one.
Build a schedule to regularly (annually) review and update any plans you have in place.
Update your zoning ordinances and associated policies.
Conduct a Housing Needs Assessment.
Identify regularly requested variances
Updating your ordinance to eliminate the need for common variances can address some of the barriers to providing housing. If a community regularly receives and approves requests for variances from development standards, it could be an indicator that those standards do not meet current demands or development patterns. The variance process is important as it provides a property owner with a mechanism to request to vary from the development standard due to an issue or constraint particular to their property. But if the same issue is not particular to a property and is instead a community norm, the standard might need to be revisited.
Common variances requested for housing projects include minimum lot size, lot frontage, and setbacks. Communities often grant these variances as the lots in many of their older neighborhoods would be unbuildable without them. If that is the case, then why is the standard there at all? The additional time and cost associated with the variance process, even if granted, can have a stifling effect on housing production, particularly on infill housing projects that are key to sustaining a community’s core neighborhoods.
We ask communities to consider, “What kind of variances are you frequently getting requests for? Those instances are great indicators that your ordinances may be out of sync with your community’s current development patterns and goals. The end goal is an ordinance that speaks to the community’s larger goals, but also to its day-to-day, real life usage.
Review use of Planned Unit Developments
Another good indication that your zoning ordinance might be out of balance is the use of Planned Unit Developments, or PUDs, to allow for mixed-use neighborhoods. Mixed-use neighborhoods – where residential, commercial, and sometimes industrial uses were all developed together –were the norm when many communities were established and have again become very desirable.
PUDs can be a very useful tool to promote mixed-use housing developments, as they allow for flexibility in the zoning ordinance standards by working with the local government to develop criteria that will determine project-specific building guidelines. To allow for this flexibility, a public approval process is required to ensure the community supports the changes to the development standards. This process can add time to the development schedule and costs to a project. If your community is frequently approving mixed-use projects through a PUD process, this is another solid indication that it might be time to review the ordinance to allow these types of developments by right.
Allow for density
Whether a housing unit is single-family or multi-family, owner or renter, generally speaking, a higher density can lead to a reduction in per unit cost. Adopting a higher density threshold (allowing more residential units per acre) can lead to a lower per unit cost of housing by reducing:
Acres of land needed, thus the cost for land acquisition per unit.
Linear feet of infrastructure (water, sewer, energy, telecommunication lines, roads) which saves material, labor, and maintenance costs.
It is important for a community to think about what type of density will feel natural for their location. A reasonable density in a large city would not be appropriate for a small town. A community can look to its historical neighborhoods and downtown to help gauge what would be authentic for them. By using your community’s traditional neighborhood lot size as a guide for appropriate density, you can reinforce your local character. In addition, if your zoning ordinance permits density that is consistent with your existing neighborhoods, you can help to reduce the need for developmental variances that can discourage infill housing projects.
Promote diversity in your housing stock
Regulations in many mid- and small-sized communities create a preference for larger, single-family detached residences. The costs associated with developing large single-family detached homes can be significantly greater than that of smaller single-family detached, single-family attached, or multi-family residential units.
Your zoning ordinance may be impacting housing availability by utilizing residential districts that:
Limit significant portions of your community to single-family detached styles;
Establish minimum unit size requirements that are not consistent with current demand for smaller living spaces;
Do not allow for a mix of housing types (attached, detached, multi-family) in the same neighborhood; and/or
Do not allow for neighborhood-based commercial uses in residential neighborhoods.
A variety of housing types can better serve your community, as not all residents have the same personal preferences, financial resources, or physical abilities. Mixing housing styles, sizes, price points, and ownership can create more aesthetically pleasing and diverse neighborhoods, creating opportunities for households with different needs to live in the same neighborhood. By allowing for a broader range of housing types along with limited commercial, communities can promote more diverse, walkable, and livable neighborhoods.
By reviewing and updating your zoning ordinance to allow for and promote the type of development desired, you can spur residential development in a manner that is consistent with your current goals and community’s character.
To learn more about our planning discipline, contact Crystal Welsh, Senior Urban Planner, at cwelsh@abonmarche.com.
