Site Development · Civil Engineering & Surveying

Site Development

Complete site planning for commercial, industrial, and residential projects — from the first survey through final construction clearance.

Civil Engineering Land Surveying

The Challenge

New York Development
Is Complex. It Doesn't
Have to Be Overwhelming.

Development projects in New York State involve more agencies, more timelines, and more moving parts than most people expect. Whether you're subdividing a parcel, building a commercial site, or dealing with a FEMA flood zone issue — the path from concept to construction clearance requires careful coordination.

The good news: it's a navigable process when you have the right team. Every milestone is something McMahon LaRue handles on your behalf, every day.

01

Up to 8 Agencies

A single commercial site plan in Monroe County may require Town Planning Board, NYSDEC, FEMA, County DOT, and NYSDOT submissions — simultaneously.

02

2–16 Weeks Per Agency

Each agency runs its own timeline. Knowing which to sequence first — and which can run in parallel — is the difference between 6 months and 18 months.

03

One Team, Start to Finish

MLA provides both the engineering and the survey — no hand-offs between firms, no coordination gaps, one point of contact for the entire project.

Our Process

The MLA Project Pathway

A six-phase framework built across decades of New York State projects — residential, commercial, and industrial.

Land Surveying

Civil Engineering

Surveying

01

Site Assessment

Deliverable included

What We Do

Conduct boundary and topographic survey of the parcel
Review current zoning, setbacks, and land use regulations
Identify environmental constraints: wetlands, floodplain, steep slopes
Analyze utility availability and site access options

You Decide

Confirm project goals, program, and overall vision
Identify budget parameters and timeline expectations

Deliverable

Base survey + constraints summary

Civil Engineering

02

Preliminary Design

Deliverable included

What We Do

Develop one or more concept site plan layouts
Evaluate access, parking, stormwater routing, and utilities
Prepare preliminary opinion of probable construction cost
Identify all agencies that will require submissions or approvals

You Decide

Select preferred design concept to advance
Confirm project budget and acceptable cost range
Authorize proceeding to Phase 03

Deliverable

Preferred concept plan + approval roadmap

Civil Engineering

03

Agency Coordination

Duration: 2–4 Weeks

Deliverable included

What We Do

Schedule and lead pre-application meetings with Town Planning Board
Coordinate requirements with DEC, FEMA, County, and NYSDOT as applicable
Confirm submission checklists, fees, and hearing schedules for each agency
Prepare project narrative and initial application materials

You Decide

Review agency feedback and confirm project direction
Address any scope changes required before final design begins

Deliverable

Agency submission checklist + pre-application meeting summary

Civil Engineering

04

Final Design

Deliverable included

What We Do

Produce full site plan drawing set: grading, drainage, utilities, geometry
Prepare Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) if required
Complete subdivision plat or land division documents if applicable
Coordinate with architects, structural, and specialty engineers

You Decide

Approve final site plan layout before agency submission
Confirm phasing strategy if project is to be built in stages

Deliverable

Full drawing set + Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan

Civil Engineering

05

Agency Approvals

Duration: Varies by agency

Deliverable included

What We Do

Submit applications to all required agencies simultaneously where possible
Prepare presentations and appear at Planning Board and ZBA hearings
Respond to agency comment letters; revise drawings as needed
Track all submission deadlines, re-submission windows, and hearing schedules

You Decide

Attend key hearings (optional but often valuable)
Authorize any project modifications required by agencies

Deliverable

All required agency approvals and permits issued

Surveying

06

Construction Support

Deliverable included

What We Do

Provide construction stakeout: lot corners, building corners, road grades, utility lines
Monitor site for compliance with approved grading and drainage plans
Prepare as-built survey upon construction completion
Support building permit sign-off and certificate of occupancy process

You Decide

Coordinate stakeout schedule with contractor's site plan
Authorize any field condition changes that affect the approved plans

Deliverable

As-built survey + certificate of occupancy support documentation

Throughout the process, you will always know where your project stands. Clear communication at every phase milestone — no black holes, no surprises at the finish line.

The Approval Landscape

Agencies You'll Navigate

Most site developments in Monroe and surrounding counties touch several of these agencies. MLA knows the submission checklists, the hearing schedules, and the people at each. Not every project requires all of these approvals.

Agency 01

Town Planning Board

4–8 wks

Site plan and subdivision approvals; SEQR review; zoning compliance.

Agency 02

Zoning Board of Appeals

4–6 wks

Area and use variances; special permits; interpretation of zoning code.

Agency 03

NYSDEC

30–90 days

Stormwater SPDES permits (SWPPP); wetland permits; DEC regulated activities.

Agency 04

FEMA / NFIP

60–180 days

Flood zone determinations; Letters of Map Amendment (LOMA); elevation certificates.

Agency 05

Monroe County DOT

4–12 wks

Driveway and road access permits on county roads; sight distance; turn lanes.

Agency 06

NYSDOT

6–16 wks

State highway access permits (Routes 31, 441, 104 corridor, etc.).

Agency 07

Town Building Department

2–6 wks

Building permit issuance after all site approvals are granted; CO sign-off.

Agency 08

Army Corps of Engineers

60–120 days

Section 404 permits for impacts to navigable waters or regulated wetlands.

Site Development Work

Projects We've Delivered

Old Brookside Apartments

Site Development

Old Brookside Apartments

Canandaigua, NY — Ontario County

Multi-building apartment complex on an urban infill site — site planning, grading, utility design, stormwater management, and full regulatory approvals from concept through construction clearance.

Site Planning & Engineering
Utilities Design
Stormwater Management
Regulatory Approvals
Construction Support

View Project →

Aldrich Glen Subdivision

Site Development

Aldrich Glen Subdivision

Perinton, NY — Monroe County

12-lot residential subdivision with site engineering through all municipal approvals — grading, stormwater, wetlands permitting, and full Planning Board submission package.

Subdivision Layout & Lot Design
Site Engineering & Grading
Stormwater Management
Municipal Planning Approvals

View Project →

Fourmile Creek PUD

Site Development

Fourmile Creek PUD

Ontario, NY — Wayne County

Mixed planned unit development with residential and commercial components — full site engineering, stormwater, utility design, and municipal approvals.

PUD Design
Stormwater Management
Site Engineering
Municipal Approvals
Construction Staking

View Project →

View All Projects →

Related Services

Civil Engineering

The stamped drawing sets, drainage calculations, and agency approvals at the core of every site development project.

Land Surveying

Boundary surveys, topographic surveys, and construction staking — the data foundation every site development project is built on.

Subdivision Design

Residential and commercial subdivision layout, road design, and final plat recording for land development projects.

Get Started

Ready to move
your project
forward?

Contact us for a no-obligation consultation. We'll tell you what your project needs, who it needs approval from, and what the realistic timeline looks like.

Call Our Office

822 Holt Rd
Webster, NY