Industrial/Commercial Civil Engineering Services

Overview

Industrial and Commercial Developments (generally classified together as “Industrial/Commercial”) present unique challenges, in comparison to residential projects, because of the (generally) more stringent requirements of local and State agencies for industrial/commercial sites. This is due to the typical activities associated with industrial/commercial projects, as well as additional design considerations necessitated by customer/public access to these sites, such as parking, path of travel, and accessibility for the disabled per the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Additionally, design considerations necessary to facilitate and protect employee and equipment operations (such as designated work, loading, and common areas, mitigation of hazardous and/or waste materials, and material storage areas) must all be addressed to obtain agency permitting and approval.

The majority of industrial/commercial projects can be divided into two general categories:

1.) New industrial/commercial developments, involving either new construction on previously-subdivided lots or new construction on proposed industrial/commercial subdivisions. In addition to approval and recordation of any proposed subdivision map, local agencies usually require development permits or conditional use permits for these projects as well, based on the specifics of the proposed industrial/commercial operation. General Plan Amendment (GPA) approval can also be required if the specifics of the proposed industrial/commercial project are not reconcilable with the current City or County land use designations for the project site.

2.) Addition/expansion projects for existing industrial/commercial sites, involving the acquisition of development permits or conditional use permits to allow the proposed addition/expansion.

JBA has completed a variety of both new construction and addition/expansion industrial/commercial projects in Southern California. Our high-profile projects include the Oldcastle Robotic Block Manufacturing Plant in the City of Fontana, a large co-composting plant in the City of Colton, a 17-acre movie theatre/shopping center in the Town of Apple Valley, a 14-parcel industrial park in the Community of Rubidoux, the Humane Society of San Bernardino Valley in the City of San Bernardino, the K-Mart Distribution Center in the City of Ontario, the San Bernardino International Airport Authority (SBIAA) Terminal Improvements Project in the City of San Bernardino, and the Rancho Mirage Professional Plaza in the City of Rancho Mirage. In addition, JBA is currently providing consulting services for the development of various alternative energy projects in the deserts of Southern California – projects which emphasize our firm commitment to alternative energy and green projects in Southern California. Our range of experience has equipped us to successfully complete unique and challenging industrial/commercial projects that require special considerations, mitigation measures, and/or documentation with respect to erosion and flood control, grading/drainage design, transportation/access, and environmental/biological issues.

Most industrial/commercial projects also require the capabilities of our dedicated Geographic Information System (GIS), Water Resources, and Surveying/Mapping departments. Our GIS Department provides extremely beneficial feasibility/conceptual data and mapping for new industrial/commercial subdivisions in the Tentative/Planning stage. Preliminary and Final Hydrology/Hydraulic Studies and Drainage Analyses, in addition to Water Quality Management Plans (WQMPs) and Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs) and other NPDES documents, are prepared to satisfy local agency and State requirements for industrial/commercial projects. Surveying services (including aerial surveys for large projects) are typically provided throughout the life of industrial/commercial projects, from preparatory boundary/topographic surveys to construction staking.

JBA enjoys excellent professional relationships with public agencies throughout Southern California. These relationships help expedite our industrial/commercial projects and give us a higher level of efficiency than other firms in the area. We are also extremely familiar with all agency requirements, standards, and recommendations with regard to industrial/commercial developments.

Primary Services

Tentative & Final Map Preparation

Generally, residential subdivision projects require the preparation of Tentative Tract Maps (TTMs) for approval by local agency planning departments and Final Tract Maps for recordation with the County in question. These maps provide the basis for subdivision projects. The services associated with the preparation of these maps are detailed below:

Planning Phase Services

Residential Tentative Tract Map (TTM) local agency approval and acquisition of entitlements/permits generally requires the preparation of an overall application package, which typically includes (but is not limited to) the following:

Topographic base mapping, including the location of existing monuments, boundaries, utilities, street centerlines and right-of-way, drainage improvements, and other features. For large projects, aerial surveys are provided in lieu of field activities. Existing record maps and legal documents are also incorporated as needed.

Tentative Map preparation, including proposed lots and right-of-way, preliminary grading and drainage, the preliminary layout of utilities, and proposed access (including emergency/fire access).

Preliminary Water Quality Management Plan (P-WQMP) preparation and identification of proposed post-construction Site Design, Source Control, and Treatment Control Best Management Practices (BMPs) in accordance with agency requirements.

Preliminary Hydrology & Hydraulics Study preparation for the purpose of designing a Preliminary Drainage Plan for the mitigation of off-site and on-site runoff, including the preliminary design of proposed storm drains, channels, and/or basins.

Coordination with planning/environmental firms to assist them in addressing environmental impact issues and prepare Negative Declaration, Initial Study (IS), or Environmental Impact Report (EIR) documents, as required.

Coordination with project architects to incorporate preliminary site design and landscaping considerations.

Coordination with local agencies, including design review meeting attendance.

Design Phase Services

Residential Final Map local agency approval generally requires the preparation of all improvement plans and final design documents, which typically include (but are not limited to) the following:

Final Map preparation, including preparation of any associated easement and/or right-of-way dedications, street vacations, access agreements, and other legal documents for recordation with the County.

Improvement plans preparation, including precise grading and drainage for individual lots as well as the entire development, utility plans (water, sewer, storm, etc.), street improvement plans, lighting plans, erosion control plans, and detail sheets.

Final Water Quality Management Plan (F-WQMP) preparation and identification of proposed post-construction Site Design, Source Control, and Treatment Control Best Management Practices (BMPs) in accordance with agency requirements.

Final Hydrology & Hydraulics Study preparation, including a final Drainage Plan for the mitigation of off-site and on-site runoff and final design of proposed storm drains, channels, and/or basins. Detailed hydraulic analyses are also prepared as needed.

Coordination with project architects to incorporate final site design and landscaping considerations.

Preparation of construction cost estimates.

Coordination with local agencies on an as-needed basis.

Construction Phase & Post-Construction Services

Residential construction phase services offered by JBA include construction staking (for slopes and drainage improvements, street curb and gutter, all on-site/off-site “wet” and “dry” utilities, etc.) and the preparation of Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs) and associated Best Management Practices (BMPs) for construction activities. JBA also provides revisions to improvement plans as-needed based on changes made by contractors in the field. Post-construction services include “as-built” surveys and the subsequent preparation of “as-built” plans to be filed with local agencies.

Project and/or Construction Management

If requested by the client, JBA provides Project Management and/or Construction Management services for residential development projects, including (but not limited to) management and coordination of all subcontractors, cost/budget management, and project scheduling, progress tracking, and general documentation.

Expert Witness Consulting

Members of our firm serve as Expert Witnesses on cases involving residential project engineering/ construction failures. Many of these cases involve the improper design/construction of residential developments. With the knowledge gained from these investigations, we have continually kept abreast of the most current problems encountered by developers, their engineers, and contractors, and in so doing, we are able to protect our clients from similar problems.

References

Experience