MARCH 2016

Hello Spring! We've had a busy winter at Landform and are preparing for many of our projects to kick off this construction season. We're excited to be a part of three large development projects taking place in Albertville, Chanhassen and  Stillwater - keep an eye on social media for updates.    

In This Issue
Left to right: Jana, Joe, Emily
Landform Welcomes New Staff!
In the last couple of months we have added to our team of professionals:

Jana Van Sistine joins the Administration Department as an Administrative Assistant and Receptionist.

Joseph Bailey is a recent graduate of the University of Minnesota Duluth and is joining our Retail & Commercial Design Studio as a Designer.
Emily Osthus, with more than two years of experience in landscape architecture and urban design, is joining our Planning and Urban Design Studio as a Designer.
As with all new hires, we're excited for the growth of our company and the additional perspectives new staff bring to the team and our clients.
New ALTA Survey Requirements
The American Land Title Association (ALTA) and the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS) adopted the new 2016 Minimum Standard Detail Requirements for ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys which went into effect on February 23rd of 2016. Notable changes include the following:
  • Clarifies the documents to be provided to the surveyor and, importantly, addresses the surveyor's responsibility if those documents are not forthcoming.
  • Observed evidence of utilities is now mandatory rather than an optional item.
  • Canals, ditches, marshes and swamps are now required to be shown.
  • Requires a summary of the right of way, easements and servitudes burdening the property pursuant to title evidence (typically shown in Schedule B-II), whether they are shown or not, and any number of notes when relevant.
  • Requires that a zoning letter or report containing relevant zoning and setback information desired on the survey be provided to the surveyor by the client. If the setbacks require interpretation, the surveyor will not graphically depict them.
  • Observed evidence of site use as a solid waste dump, sump or sanitary landfill - This item has been deleted; responsibility belongs with the providers of the environmental assessment, not the surveyor.
Other changes to the requirements were made to clarify the responsibility of the surveyor in obtaining and showing all of the information required according to the new Standards. Read more here.

Construction is coming along on 2700 University Apartments - weekly updates on our Facebook page!
Blake Woods Development
  Landform is proud to lead the design and guide the development management on this spectacular single-family development in Edina.

Located in the Parkwood Knolls Neighborhood, this development includes six new half-acre wooded single family lots, nestled along Blake Road in the highly desirable community of Edina. Harmoniously blending nature and development together was a key objective for our team and the land owner.
 
T hrough the use of Low Impact Design (LID) techniques, our team provided engineered solutions for balancing tree preservation and stormwater solutions through the combination of reduced street widths, bioretention swales and underground stormwater infiltration systems.
Construction is set to start this spring!


Continuing Education and Networking
Our development professionals are committed to lifetime learning in order to better serve of our clients. One of the ways that the Planning and Urban Design Studio team members do that is through active involvement in a number of professional organizations. You can rest assured that our team is familiar with emerging land use issues and key players in the development business. Here we have listed just a few of our studio's favorite groups:
 
Sensible Land Use Coalition - Sensible Land Use Coalition is a great organization for any land use professional who wants to remain connected to trends influencing how our region develops in the 21st century. The Sensible Land Use Coalition is the only organization of its kind in the region that brings together stakeholders from all facets of development to learn and discuss the issues, and build relationships that can lead to successful projects. The monthly events provide accredited educational forums addressing timely and relevant issues. Studio Lead Kendra Lindahl, AICP, serves on the board and encourages you to learn more at www.sensibleland.org .
 
Urban Land Institute (ULI) - ULI is a nonprofit research and education organization with more than 40,000 members worldwide representing the land use and real estate development disciplines. Project Lead Danyelle Pierquet, RLA, co-chairs the UrbanPlan program and is a member of the Advisory Board. Her work with UrbanPlan educates the next generation of student/citizens through a simulated competitive urban development RFP process. The Advisory Board convenes professionals in the urban design, development and policy realm. More information at http://minnesota.uli.org/ .
 
Economic Development Association of Minnesota (EDAM) - EDAM was formed as the Minnesota Industrial Development Association in 1967 to provide development professionals a forum for exchanging information and staying abreast of current economic development strategies and practices. EDAM is a statewide association of professionals specializing in the field of economic development. Planner Mary Matze is a member of the organization and encourages you to attend the Summer Conference (June 8-10) in Duluth ( www.edam.org ).
 
American Planning Association - Minnesota Chapter (MNAPA) - Planner Kathleen Hammer notes that the MNAPA conference in September is a great way to get continuing education credits while connecting with other public and private sector clients. Learn more at http://www.mnapa.com
We've been lucky to experience some beautiful winter sunrises.

612-252-9070  
  © 2016 Landform® and Site to Finish® are registered service marks of Landform Professional Services, LLC.