2. Site and Environment

Question 1

Define “Easement”

Answer 1

Legal right to make limited use of the land of another as for right-of-way or as for light and air

Question 2

Define “Right-of-way”

Answer 2

Legal rights granted to a party or public to traverse another’s land as for access to or the construction and maintenance of utility lines

Question 3

Is building height restricted by municipal bylaws, Building code, or both?

Answer 3

Both

Question 4

Are projections allowed in the setbacks?

Answer 4

Most likely. There might be a maximum though. To be check with the bylaws

Question 5

What is a legal description?

Answer 5

Location and boundaries of a specific piece of parcel of land, based on a metes-and-bounds survey or a rectangular system of survey, or made with reference to a recorded plat.

Question 6

What is bonusing? What is a synonym of bonusing?

Answer 6

Bonusing (also called Floor Area Relaxation (FAR)): Way to get higher density in exchange for amenities, affordable housing, public space, public art, etc.

Question 7

Why do a city manage its growth?

Answer 7

Make sure the services and infrastructures can support the new building

Question 8

Why do the water table height is important for the evaluation of the site?

Answer 8

Water decrease the bearing capacity of the ground. It will therefore have an influence on the foundations of the building. Excessive water at the foundation will increase the hydrostatic pressure on the foundation (increase the risk of infiltration.

Question 9

True or false? Close contour lines mean a gentle slope.

Answer 9

False. Close lines=steep slope; spaced lines=gentle slope

Question 10

Why is the site drainage essential?

Answer 10

to prevent erosion and collect/redirect excess of water (surface water or groundwater) from the building.

Question 11

Define Subsurface drainage.

Answer 11

Networks of pipes directing underground waters to a point of disposal. Storm sewer water or natural outfall at a lower elevation.

Question 12

Define surface drainage.

Answer 12

grading and surfacing of a site to divert rain and other surface water into natural drainage patterns or municipal storm sewer system

Question 13

What is a dry well?

Answer 13

Drainage pit lined with gravel or rubble to receive surface water and allow it to percolate away to absorbent earth underground.

Question 14

What are the recommend slopes for swales (grass and paved)?

Answer 14

Swale : depression between ridges

Grass swale: 1.5-2%
Paved swale: 4-6%

Question 15

What is a French drain?

Answer 15

Trench filled to ground level with loose stone or rock to redirect water and protect an area (usually foundations).

Question 16

True or false? seismic considerations are part of a geotech report?

Answer 16

True

Question 17

Which is not part of a survey? Erosion channels, elevation of floors of adjacent building, contaminated soil, setbacks from property line

Answer 17

Contaminated soils

Question 18

The design for a new building requires the building to be located 3.79 m from a side property line. The zoning bylaw requires a 4.0 m side yard setback. Which of the following is an appropriate procedure to address this non-conforming setback?
A) Proceed as designed because the variance is within 5% of the requirement
B) Proceed as designed because the variance is within 10% of the requirement
C) Seek approval for a revision to the Official Plan
D) Seek approval for a variance of the specific requirement of the zoning bylaw

Answer 18

D) Seek approval for a variance of the specific requirement of the zoning bylaw