As a follow up to my first blog, ‘What is Land Entitlement?’, I wanted to give you some tips for starting the entitlement process.
It can be overwhelming when you start thinking about your next project, especially when it comes to tackling the entitlement process. To ensure a smooth process, thorough due diligence focused specifically on entitlements is essential. The creation of a site investigation report is the best way to compile and guide this information. This report will identify the existing zone district, permitted uses, and whether a rezoning, special use, or conditional use process will be necessary to allow the proposed use. It will also determine if there are any conflicts with the proposed development and any master plan or comprehensive plan recommendations.
The report will detail lot and building standards such as setbacks, height limits, floor area ratios, building coverage, minimum landscape areas, and parking requirements, all of which are crucial for developing a viable concept plan. It will also highlight major site constraints, including potential floodplain issues, environmental concerns, transportation challenges, and other significant factors impacting the site's viability. Additionally, the report will outline the expected entitlement process, including a preliminary timeframe for completion.
This comprehensive information should be used to draft a letter of intent or purchase and sale agreement. The agreement should include a 30 to 60-day due diligence period during which the site investigation report is supplemented with a survey, title commitment, environmental assessment, soils report, concept site plan, and a pre-application meeting with the jurisdiction. By the end of the due diligence period, you will have gathered all the necessary information to demystify the entitlement challenges and decide whether to proceed with the project and invest in significant design efforts.
It's a lot to take on, but with the right partner, the process can go much more smoothly. If you need assistance getting your projects through the entitlement process, please reach out to Alcorn, and I’ll help guide you through the process with our entitlement services.
Jeanne Shaffer
Director of Land Use Entitlements
303.339.6239
jshaffer@alcornci.com
