We've spoken to some clients recently that have had the unfortunate surprise of being notified that their property is now within a floodplain and that they must obtain flood insurance. Also, let us be clear that these are property owners that are knowledgeable and bought a property that was in Denver next to many other homes, yet, they are still getting tagged for now being within a floodplain.
How does this happen??
What happened is FEMA studied the drainage way adjacent to their property and came up with map revision to the existing FIRM Panel (Flood Insurance Rate Map). This is quite common as FEMA is constantly updating FIRM Panels.
That is where we come in--- We are in the process of preparing an elevation certificate which will located the true elevation of the home on the property. This elevation will be tied to the same vertical benchmark that FEMA used when they studied the adjacent drainage way. We will then complete a LOMA (Letter of Map Amendment) and submit to FEMA in order to prove that the house is above the flood plain. The LOMA process can take 8-12 weeks to complete, but is well worth it in the end. This will eliminate the need to carry flood insurance (which typically runs $1000-$2000 per year).
If this situation happens to you or if you have questions-- please contact us. Our fees are typically in the $1500 range to complete something like this (which you will make back within the first year of NOT having to pay flood insurance.
info@altitudeeng.com or 720.413.9691
Friday, January 29, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
NOI vs. Grading Permit (Jefferson County, Colorado)
We've been fortunate to work on a handful of Notice of Intent (NOI) and Grading Permit (GP) applications in Jefferson County recently. These are two of the most common applications for residential projects.
Generally, an NOI includes a set of plans for a single family home showing the driveway design (including plan/profile, cross sections), site grading (for the driveway and home), erosion control, and some drainage information.
A GP (for a single family home) is a more detailed version of an NOI. Typically, all of the same plans that would be included within the NOI are included in the GP Plan Set, PLUS, more detailed drainage analysis, the access drive/driveway is typically much long and more difficult to design, large amounts of earth moving/grading are required, etc.
Send us an email with any questions. We'd be happy to meet on-site (for free), give you a proposal, or even help you decide which process will be required for your project.
Generally, an NOI includes a set of plans for a single family home showing the driveway design (including plan/profile, cross sections), site grading (for the driveway and home), erosion control, and some drainage information.
A GP (for a single family home) is a more detailed version of an NOI. Typically, all of the same plans that would be included within the NOI are included in the GP Plan Set, PLUS, more detailed drainage analysis, the access drive/driveway is typically much long and more difficult to design, large amounts of earth moving/grading are required, etc.
Send us an email with any questions. We'd be happy to meet on-site (for free), give you a proposal, or even help you decide which process will be required for your project.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Surveys...
Happy New Year to all of our friends, colleagues, and clients! Thanks for making 2009 a great year as we look ahead to a very exciting year in 2010!!!
We've recently been quite busy on a variety of different surveys. The term "survey" is a broad and general term that gets thrown around and has a variety of meanings. Below is a brief (yet useful) description of the most common surveys that are requested:
We've recently been quite busy on a variety of different surveys. The term "survey" is a broad and general term that gets thrown around and has a variety of meanings. Below is a brief (yet useful) description of the most common surveys that are requested:
IMPROVEMENT LOCATION CERTIFICATE (ILC) – Range between $150 and $300 depending on size of lot, size of structure(s), existing property corner evidence. Turn around in 48 hours – most completed within 24 hours.
LAND SURVEY PLAT (LSP) – Also known as a boundary survey. Utilized to determine boundary lines and corners, determine encroachments, and/or construct new improvements on your property, etc.
IMPROVEMENT SURVEY PLAT (ISP) – Basically an LSP with some additional information regarding existing observable improvements such as streets, curb & gutter, sidewalks, dry utilities, wet utilities, etc. Can also include easements of record and topography if the client so desires. Utilized for more extensive proposed improvements and as a base for design services.
ALTA / ACSM SURVEY – Pretty much a cafeteria style survey where the client can pick items from an Optional Table A and create his own survey for specific purposes. The base required portion of any ALTA definitely meets the requirements of an LSP and includes some of the elements of an ISP and includes record Title research of easements and encumbrances to the property. Table A consists of 16 additional options that can be shown depending the goals of the project, requirements of the lender, etc.
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