Residential Civil Engineering Services

Overview

Residential Developments include single-family residences (SFRs), single-family and multi-family residential subdivisions, planned-unit developments (PUDs), condominium projects, apartment complexes, and mobile/modular unit developments. Since 1941, JBA has developed projects ranging from large multi-thousand-square-foot homes in Beverly Hills and Bel Aire to 400-lot subdivisions and planned communities to mobile homes and modular communities of over 500 units. From a civil engineering standpoint, residential developments typically require not only the design/grading plans of individual housing units, but also a full complement of engineering items, including on-site and off-site sewer (wastewater) system design, on-site and off-site water system design, design/layout of electricity and natural gas utilities, and overall development site grading and drainage design. Residential Developments include single-family residences (SFRs), single-family and multi-family residential subdivisions, planned-unit developments (PUDs), condominium projects, apartment complexes, and mobile/modular unit developments. Since 1941, JBA has developed projects ranging from large multi-thousand-square-foot homes in Beverly Hills and Bel Aire to 400-lot subdivisions and planned communities to mobile homes and modular communities of over 500 units. From a civil engineering standpoint, residential developments typically require not only the design/grading plans of individual housing units, but also a full complement of engineering items, including on-site and off-site sewer (wastewater) system design, on-site and off-site water system design, design/layout of electricity and natural gas utilities, and overall development site grading and drainage design.

<Residential projects also generally necessitate 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 residential projects 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 residential subdivisions. Surveying services (including aerial surveys for large projects) are typically provided throughout the life of residential projects, from preparatory boundary/topographic surveys to construction staking.

Development of large, sophisticated residential subdivisions (such as Master Plan Communities) often includes the design of on-site and off-site water and wastewater treatment facilities, small lakes and ponds, power generating facilities, parks and recreation areas, schools, and commercial zones. These projects, which resemble small cities, require the preparation of very detailed planning and environmental documents, such as Specific Plans and Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs). As civil engineering consultants, JBA assists planning and environmental firms in developing these documents (refer to our Feasibility, Planning, &amp; GIS services section).

JBA has completed a variety of residential projects in Southern California. Our high-profile projects include a 394-lot subdivision in the City of Desert Hot Springs, a 109-lot subdivision in the community of Lake Arrowhead in the San Bernardino Mountains, a 194-unit condominium complex in the City of Moreno Valley, a 169-lot subdivision in the City of Victorville, a 249-lot subdivision in the City of Victorville, a 35-lot hillside subdivision in the City of Colton, and a 10-acre senior apartment complex in the City of Hemet. Our range of experience has equipped us to successfully complete unique and challenging residential projects such as hillside subdivisions, mountain communities, and desert-area subdivisions situated within potentially catastrophic FEMA floodplains. These types of projects often require special considerations, mitigation measures, and/or documentation with respect to erosion and flood control, grading/drainage design, transportation/access, and environmental/biological issues.

JBA enjoys excellent professional relationships with public agencies throughout Southern California. These relationships help expedite our residential 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 residential 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 center lines 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