SITE ANALYSIS CHECKLIST

Floyd Zimmerman, Fasla, et al.

This is a checklist of the factors involved in evaluating a site. Although lengthy, this list is not all-inclusive;
new factors are added from time to time. Information is usually collected only for items pertinent to the
project.

PHYSICAL FACTORS C Analysis of physical features, including major focal and

1 Climate vantage points and their relationships within, into, and out
from the site
A Prevailing winds
1. Direction D Existing access and circulation
2. Maximum, minimum, and 1. Vehicular
average velocities 2. Pedestrian
3. Special force (e.g,
tornadoes, hurricanes) E Vegetation

B Solar orientation F Existing water bodies

1. Sun angles 1. Location, size, depth, direction of flow
2. Days of sunlight 2. Water quantity:
3. Cloud cover Clean, polluted, anaerobic conditions, etc
4. Shading of (or from) adjacent 3. Use: seasonal, year-round
structures, natural features, 4. Wetlands: ecological features
and vegetation 5. Variations: expected water levels, tides, wave action
6. Coastal features
C Temperature
1. Ranges of variation G Drainage canals: rivers, streams, marshes, lakes, ponds,
2. Maximums and minimums etc.
1. Natural and built
D Humidity 2. Alignments and gradients
1. Ranges of variation 3. Patten and direction
2. Maximums and
minimums H Existing waterway easements
1. Surface
E Precipitation 2. Subsurface
1. Peak period totals
2. Annual and seasonal totals I Surface drainage
1. Pattern on and off the site
2 Topography ( location of streams and washes)
A Legal property description including 2. Proximity to floodplains
limits of property, easement, rights of a. Maximum flood level
way, and north indication b. Frequently flooded areas
3. Local watershed areas, amount of runoff collected
B Topographic maps and aerial photos and location of outfalls
1. Contours and spot elevation 4. Swampy and concave areas of land without positive
2. Slopes: percentage, aspect, drainage and other obstacle that may interrupt or
orientation obstruct natural surface drainage
3. Escarpments 5. Potential areas for impoundments,
4. Erosion channels detention/retention ponds.
5. Extent, location, and general
configuration of rocks, J Unique site features
ledges, outcrops, ridges,
drainage lines, and other 3 Geotechnical / Soils
unique features
6. Visual characteristics A Basic surface soil types: sand, clay, silt, rock, shale gravel,
7. Potential problem areas loam, limestone, etc.
during construction: siltation,
erosion, etc. f

1
B Rock and soil type: C Land use, ownership, and control
character/formation and origin
1. Geologic formation process D Present zoning of size and adjacent property
and parent materials Adjacent (surrounding) land uses
2. Inclination 1. Present
3. Bearing capacity 2. Projected ‘probable effects on the development of
this site
C Bedrock
1. Depth to bedrock F Type of land ownership
2. Bedrock classification
Function and pattern of land use: public domain, farm type,
D Seismic conditions grazing, urbanized
1. Present
E Environmental hazards 2. Former

G Locations, type, and size of pertinent community services

4 Utilities 1. Schools and churches
a) Potable water 2. Shopping centers
b) Electricity Gas 3. Parks
c) Telephone Cable 4. Recreational facilities
d) Television 5. Banks
e) Sanitary sewer service 6. Food services
f) Storm drainage (surface, 7. Health services
subsurface) 8. Access to highways, public transportation
g) Fire protection
H Economic Value
5 Immediate surroundings 1. Political jurisdictions and land cost
A. Neighborhood structures: 2. Accepted “territory”
building \s, satellite dishes, et 3. Future potential
B. Shading and solar access 4. Size of surrounding lost and approximate price
C. Noise from streets, ranges
Emergency services, aircraft,
etc
D. Odors REGULATORY FACTORS
E. Views and vistas 1 Zoning codes
A Permitted uses
1. By variance
2. By special use permits
6 General services 3. Accessory structures
A. Fire and police protection
B. Trashed/ refuse removal B Minimum site areas requirements
services
C. Snow removal, including on-
site storage
C Building height limits
CULTURAL FACTORS D Yard (setback) requirements
1 Site History E Lot coverage
A Former site uses 1. Floor area ratio (FAR)
1. Hazardous dumping 2. Percentage of coverage
2. Landfill 3. Open space requirements
3. Old foundations
4. Archaeological grounds F Off-street parking requirements
Landscaping requirements
B History of excising structures Sign requirement
1. Historic worth
2. Affiliations
3. Outline
4. Location
5. Floor elevations

2
2 Environmental Regulations
3 Other codes and requirements
A. Water, sewer, recycling, solid
waste disposal A. Historic preservation and landmarks
B. Clean air requirements B. Architectural (design) control
C. Soil conservation C. Special districts
D. Protected areas, wetlands, D. Miscellaneous, e.g., mobile home, billboards, noise
floodplains, coastal zones wild
and scenic areas E. Site-related items in building codes
E. Fish and wildlife protection 1. Building Separation
F. Protection of archaeological 2. Parking and access for persons with disabilities
resource 3. Service and emergency vehicle access and parking
1. Types
2. Condition
3. Use or service

3 Subdivision, site plan review, and

other local requirements

A Lot requirements
1. Size
2. Configuration
3. Setbacks and coverage

B Street requirements
1. Widths
2. Geometry: grades, curves
3. Curbs and curb cuts
4. Road construction standards
5. Placement of utilities
6. Dead-end street
7. Intersection geometry
8. Sidewalks
9. Names

C Drainage requirements
1. Removal of spring and
surface water
2. Stream courses
3. Land subject to flooding
4. Detention/ retention ponds

D Parks
1. Open space requirements
2. Park and playground
requirements
3. Screening from adjacent
uses

MMK 2019