Planning, Land Use, Strategic and Physical Development Projects
Included within the Civil Engineering group, are individuals with expertise and experience in planning, land use, strategic and physical development. In combination with our civil engineers and wildlife biologists, the planning team has facilitated the preliminary phases of feasibility studies, zoning approvals, development permits and funding applications for a wide range of projects, many of which are located in pristine wilderness areas, with highly sensitive environmental regimes and challenging terrain. Much of the experience has been gained in facilitating subdivision and waterfront developments on “green field sites” and in infrastructure development for our First Nations’ communities. Much planning work has been undertaken to assist First Nation’s with treaty negotiations.
The following list summarizes some typical projects:
1. Glen Oaks Subdivision – Development Permits and Preliminary Layout Approvals
The work included all planning and preliminary engineering activities associated with the development of a 200 to 300 lot subdivision, comprising of single family and multi-units for a sustainable community with several ground breaking development features designed to minimize the development foot print and create an urban environment in harmony with its natural surroundings of steep slopes, trees and rocky out crops.
2. Snaw-naw-as First Nation – Physical Development Plan
The Snaw-naw-as First Nation is one of many communities that have benefited from Physical Development Plans drawn up by Chatwin’s planners. The PDP is a collaborative effort between the community and our planners and has become an important tool in achieving community consensus and establishes the blue print for development. Snaw-naw-as First Nation has followed the PDP closely and with state of the art sewage and the water systems is well on its way to becoming a self-sustaining community with balance created between economic development and public services for the benefit of its members.
3. Huu-ay-aht First Nation – Economic Development Plan
The Huu-ay-aht Economic Development Plan is one of several plans drawn up collectively between First Nation Bands and Chatwin Engineering’s planners and engineers.
The Huu-ay-aht First Nation plan included input from various industry experts who reviewed several economic development opportunities to provide a list of feasible projects and a strategic plan on how to undertake the projects. As testimonial to the success of the plan Huu-ay-aht have followed through with many of the strategies outlined in the study. Consequently the band is quickly becoming financially self-sufficient.
4. Green Cove – Economic Development Plan
The Green Cove Development Plan is typical of several plans developed for First Nation’s clients. This plan involved the preliminary layout of a proposed development on behalf of the Uchucklesaht First Nation on Uchucklesaht Inlet. The development plan included roads, services and marine facilities for a proposed waterfront resort development.
The study includes infrastructure layout and feasibility analysis of the resort to a level sufficient to assist with project financing.
5. Te’mexw Treaty Association – Treaty Assistance
Chatwin Engineering provided assistance for the negotiating team for TTA with an assessment of their post treaty fiscal and land requirements. This study was a tool for the negotiators to use for their ongoing treaty negotiations. It was important for the negotiators to understand the new responsibilities, programs and services the nations would be responsible for post-treaty and to identify the capital costs and anticipated operation and maintenance associated with these responsibilities. In addition the study identified land requirements that would be needed to service the growth and employment needs for the nation within the planning horizon.
Chatwin Engineering also provided assistance to the negotiating team in their land selection process. Chatwin Engineering reviewed each parcel of lands available for land selection and provided an assessment that identified the constraints and opportunities for each of these parcels under review.
6. Maa-Nulth Cultural Heritage – Community Consultation
This was a community consultation project that the planning department of Chatwin Engineering participated in. In this project the project team included Chatwin Engineering and Traditions Consulting Services. The focus of the project was to identify traditional marine sites for each of the five participating nations, Huu-ay-aht First Nations, Uchucklesaht Tribe, Ucluelet First Nation, Toquaht First Nation and Ka:'yu:'k't'h/Che:k:tles7et'h' First Nations and to obtain input from the members on their position on future oil and gas exploration on the west coast of Vancouver Island.
The project involved conducting 15 community meetings from October 2003 to January 2004. Meetings were held at several different locations for greater accessibility for the membership. A web site and telephone campaign was also developed as part of an outreach program for members who were not able to attend any of the meetings. Through this extensive consultation process 80% of the adult population were able to provide input into this project. Chatwin Engineering coordinated this study for the Maa-nulth Nations.