Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
LicenSed Land Surveyor
A licensed land surveyor does the preparation of a property or topo-
graphic survey similar to the one shown in Figure 6.10. Landscape
architects, civil engineers, and architects use the surveys prepared by
the land surveyor as a base for their own work. A civil engineer or land-
scape architect will use a topographic survey to develop and prepare
grading and drainage plans. All constructed site features, such as build-
ings and other structures, roads, walks, paved areas, pools, plazas, and
other constructed elements, are located and referenced to the property
lines and property corners drawn up by the land surveyor. The package
of construction documents are considered legal documents prepared
by licensed professionals who follow established conventions of plan
preparation and geospatial referencing systems. The work of each pro-
fessional is assumed to have followed the pertinent design health and
safety standards, codes, and rules, including zoning, fire and safety, ADA
access, and other regulations established to protect the health, safety,
and welfare of the public.
The landscape architect prepares a site-grading plan in order to
provide the best and most accurate information for a contractor on how
the existing site topography within project boundaries is to be modified
to accommodate a desired end result. For a grading plan to be useful it
should provide scale, precise location of project boundaries or property
lines, accurate topographic information, and a system of horizontal and
vertical control. Horizontal control has to do with having an established
and clearly marked datum, such as the property corners, from which the
contractor can accurately locate and establish dimensions for any point
on the ground—including old and new structures and designed program
elements (such as paved surfaces, walks) to be built—and their specific
elevations. The designer or contractor often will establish a grid (25, 50,
or 100 feet) and overlay that grid on the property. The grid would first be
drawn in plan and then would be recreated on the ground with stakes
placed at each grid intersection. The contractor uses the grid to provide
horizontal control, which assists him or her to establish the locations of
plan elements (structure, driveway, parking, landscape area, and other
