GEOMARTINS & ASSOCIATE

Whether you intend to purchase new land or you have plans to build on property you already own, there are several reasons why you may need a land survey. But just why is getting one so important? And during which step of the construction process do you actually need one? We’re here to answer your questions and provide you with all of the details you need to know about land surveys. First of all, there are many reasons why getting a land survey may not only be beneficial, but may actually be a requirement for moving forward with your plans. Some of the reasons why you may need one include when you are trying to decide if a new project will encroach on someone else’s property, when you need to determine whether or not a building is in a flood hazard area, and when you are preparing a subdivision layout. Of course, these are just some of the many reasons why a land survey may be needed. But how do you know when to get one? Well, in general it is a good idea to contact a...

Marking of property boundaries is a very complex and highly specialized activity.   It is critical that boundaries be determined and marked accurately so it is clear where properties begin and end. Landowners need to know where property boundaries are. Without owners knowing boundary locations buildings could be on property lines, it could be difficult to meet set-back requirements, neighbours could build on the wrong side of the line, and safety problems could occur with construction over gas lines or other utility rights-of-way. Home Owner should beware of throwing away the survey Mark (pillars, Beacons etc.). If the survey Mark is just where that fence post should be — please build around it. The cost of replacing a survey marker could be as much as the cost of the fence, driveway or landscaping in the first place. Contractor should beware of damaging survey Marks Contouring, grading, fencing, road building and other work with heavy equipment is a common cause of dest...

1.       What is a Real Property Detail Survey? A Real Property Detail Survey is a legal document that clearly illustrates the location of significant visible improvements relative to property boundaries. (Improvements to be shown and outlined) Over the years, the standards for Real Property Reports have changed. It takes the form of a plan or illustration of the various physical features of the property, including a written statement detailing the surveyor’s opinions or concerns. It can be relied upon by the buyer, the seller, the lender and the municipality as an accurate representation of the improvements on your property. 2.       Who need a Property Detail Survey? v   Property owners 3.       Why Property Detail Survey To be informed of: ·         The locations of improvements within the property boundaries, ·      ...

§   Fencing Fences serve many functions. They can be constructed for security reasons, pet or child confinement, hazard control, by-law requirements and agricultural uses. Or, fences can be simply an architectural or aesthetic improvement to your property.   Fences are most often used to mark the boundaries of a property. Whenever fences are located on property boundaries they must be located properly to minimize the chance of causing legal issues that may be expensive to resolve. §   Tips for Locating Properties Boundary 1.     The easiest way to determine boundary locations is to hire a Registered Land Surveyor. 2.     If you know where your property boundary markers are you can mark the property line—there are often monuments (pillars or beacons) for other purposes, such as roadways, etc. Be absolutely certain that the right survey markers are used. 3.     Remember it is illegal to disturb or remove any survey...

The world is facing unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 outbreak identified in Wuhan, Hubei, China, in December 2019. The current crisis is an opportunity to reflect on how cities are being planned and managed and brings concepts such as resilience to the top priorities. Resilience as defined by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction “means the ability of a system, community or society exposed to hazards to resist, absorb, accommodate to and recover from the effects of the hazard in a timely and efficient manner, including through the preservation and restoration of its essential basic structures and functions.” The major efforts by the UNDRR to make our cities resilient have focused on the concept of urban resilience mainly related to climate change adaptation and disaster management, leaving wider sustainability challenges aside. The UN Sustainable Development Goals 9 and 11 explicitly identify the role of resilience, while the New Urban Agenda devo...

Dual occupancy developments occur when two dwellings are built on a single lot. In the case of a residential zoning, dual occupancy is defined as a purely residential state, an event where, as one common example illustrates, a second home could be built within the lot boundary. Imagine building a 'granny flat' or even a second home in the back yard to be close to an ailing family member. This is only one of several possible configurations the dual occupancy arrangement could take, but to lawfully define the space, the property has to be subdivided. The duty of the professional survey expert in this scenario is to assess the lot for dual occupancy development opportunities. This means navigating the shores of council regulations and safely tackling the countless challenges that could hobble the project. Neighbours could object to some aspect of the new building being constructed on the residential lot. The town council may also throw up roadblocks, red tape that ties constru...

The home of a land surveyor lays partially in the province of data measurement and geospatial analysis, domains ruled by coordinates and three-dimensional mathematics. As complex and intangible as these calculations are, they're being applied on a place inhabited by people, on social and cultural platforms where spatial data has to be balanced against environmental concerns. Just to clarify the point, the skills being leveraged by a surveyor in a town planning situation are certain to affect the social dynamic within the town. The responsible planner must therefore be as aware of the pulse of the people living there as he is of local legislation, for people will be living and growing within the finalized project. Town planning balances abstract disciplines against real life values. There's the visualization of streets and roads to consider, the connection of utility services, the urban complexes that support family life, and, finally, the work places where men and women work ...