Local Government Planning & Regulatory Functions

In your opinion, how much does Local Government Planning & Regulatory Functions affect the design process during land development design.

Is there a way to avoid the Local Government Planning & Regulatory Functions thru politics (befriending the mayor and stuff like that.)

 

[dicksewerrat]

Local Gov't Planning and Zoning functions are put in place to monitor and steer land use. They do have a say in the use of land and design of projects. However trying to subvert this process is NOT in your best interest. Nor is it in the best interest of the Public. They are your ultimate client.
did you take any course work in ethics in college?

 

[jheidt2543]

I agree with most of what dicksewerrat says above. I would add that the ethics comment works both ways. There are a LOT of frustrated designers in planning and zoning departments WORKING the ordinances inside and out to make over the cityscape in their image without a thought to cost. I'm sorry, but some of their requirements are just plain silly and it is time someone said so. I don't agree with trying to do an end around the ordances. The key is to get active in the process and get them changed to something more in tune with the real world!

That's my two cents.

 

[Bayou]

There is always a way around some of the regulations of local communities through politics. Getting commissioners to support your project is the best way. However, there are some aspects that even the planning dept. bosses cannot sidestep. These are the laws that coincide with state and federal laws such as SWQ and flood control regulations.
In respect to one's career, it's not a good idea to try and circumvent the regulations, especially regs. that require mitigation of impacts (flood control). Law suits are everywhere.

 

[gibfrog]

I agree with all the above.

Land development regulations are a game with fixed city/county and state and federal rules. One must play by all the rules or risk ecconomic and professional damages (There is even a case of a engineer being jailed for wetland violations). Even silly rules must be fully obeyed. I consider complex rules as job security and an opportunity to provide greater services (and collect greater professional fees).

In the real world, many engineers "game" the system by politicing or enticing or just resubmitting a project a dozen times with minor revisions to get some slack in the land development regulations because they can not or will not design it per the regulations. (They even cheat and do not get caught!) If they are doing it to save money for the client, that client will readily sue them if the non regulation cheap out causes any problems.

I firmly follow the policy the I will not cheat. If I cheat, then I might have to pay for the correction. If I do not cheat, then the client pays his rightful developmental costs. It means that I have to work harder, but I always sleep soundly.

The role of the developer is to politic with the regulatory and governmental officials. The role of the engineer is to design a cost effective solution that meets all rules and accepted engineering practices. Lots of times there is hidden slack in the rules, you just have to find it.

You will find, that as you work more in certain jurisdictions, that you will aquire a reputation. What kind of reputation do you really want? People remember your mess-ups much longer that your sucesses, so be careful.

Finally, any job worth doing, is worth doing right.

Clifford H Laubstein
FL Registered PE 58662