Resource Maps
The first step in most GIS enabled planning projects is to assemble a set of resource layers and maps. Typically, these layers can be broken down into two categories: natural resources, and human-made (built) resources. The following list describes the layers and maps we typically produce for various projects. Most projects do not include all of these layers, although comprehensive plans sometimes come close. The maps can be produced via traditional paper maps printed at various sizes, or they can be displayed via a desktop or web-based viewing application . These digital solutions have the advantage of being able to combine the various layers in any way the viewer wants.
Layers and maps we typically include in our projects
| Base | Land Uses | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Roads | Property Class | ||
| Property Boundaries | Agriculture (Uses and Districts) | ||
| Hamlet Detail | Farmland (Uses and Soils) | ||
| Aerial Photos | Historic Sites | ||
| Topographic | Government Owned Land, Parks, and Recreation | ||
| Topography | Public and Protected Land | ||
| Contours | Fire Districts | ||
| Slope | School Districts | ||
| Watersheds | Special Districts (Water, Sewer, Lighting) | ||
| Water | Infrastructure | ||
| Water Features | Tax Exempt Properties | ||
| Flood Hazards | Land Use/Land Cover | ||
| Aquifers | Land Regulation | ||
| Land | Zoning | ||
| Bedrock Geology | Empire Zone | ||
| Surficial Geology | Coastal Zone | ||
| Soils: | Adirondack Park | ||
| Septic Limitations | Future Land Use (Conceptual Zoning Districts) | ||
| Depth to Bedrock\Water Table | Public/Committee Input | ||
| Drainage and Permeability | Workshop/Survey Map | ||
| Flood and Pond Frequently | Community Places | ||
| Neighborhoods |
The ability to produce these maps depends largely on the availability of the required GIS data. Some layers are more readily available than others. For example, mapping of aquifers will require the services of a hydrogeologist. Mapping of tax exempt properties will require extra time consulting with the local tax assessor. Special districts and infrastructure may require digitizing hardcopy maps.
Analysis
Combining and symbolizing these layers in a web-viewer or on a paper map allows for some basic analysis to be performed. Concentrations of particular aspects of the data become apparent, and overlapping attributes can be acertained. To go beyond this simple visual analysis requires a little more effort. These higher level analysis maps will require more effort, time, and expertise to complete than the initial resource maps. Here is a sampling of some of the analyses weve performed for our clients:
| Analysis | |
|---|---|
| Historic Buildout (Year Built) | |
| Future Buildout: | |
| Existing development | |
| Buildable Properties | |
| Environmental Constraints | |
| Developable Area | |
| Potential Development | |
| Open Space | |
| Viewshed Analysis | |
| LESA (Land Evaluation and Site Analysis) | |
| Property Value | |
| Population Change | |
| Density Analysis | |
| Transportation Analysis | |
| Adult Use Placement Analysis |
If you're interested in finding out more about our GIS analysis capabilities, feel free to give us a call or send us an email.
(Printable copy with some sample maps and graphics: GISMaps&Layers.pdf )