Planning on purpose

Boating Industry White Paper, January 2008

Planning on purpose
A guide to creating a well conceived development plan for water access facilities
by Tim Keogh

The future of water access depends on the usefulness of existing and new facilities. The success of these facilities relies heavily upon developing and maintaining the physical infrastructure. Therefore, preserving existing water access facilities and growing water access with new facilities require a well-thought-out plan for development.

Marine industry professionals must take the lead in the planning, development and operation of these water access facilities. Governments and private developers must reach out to marine professionals for assistance in the identification, design, development, and operation of such facilities. The goal must be to expand and improve access to our nation’s waterways through a deliberate process.

Clear identification of the parameters for the development and redevelopment of these facilities is critical to the future of water access. A poorly designed facility, with rough waters, silting issues, inadequate vehicle or pedestrian access will negatively impact the boating experience. A facility designed without understanding the market will be under-utilized and will eventually deteriorate.

In either scenario, a failed project leaves the owner with little incentive to maintain water access as a primary use; making other uses more attractive. Addressing the following topics will guide the planning process and maximize project success.

Select the right site
The requirements for successful water access facilities limit the amount of natural, suitable locations for development. These specific requirements include calm, deep water; adequate upland for parking and amenities; neighborhood compatibility; and a market that will support the facility. There are different approaches for identifying the development potential of existing and new sites.

For existing facilities, where the site is already suitable for water access, the challenge lies in altering the facility to meet changing markets. The strategy for redeveloping existing marinas must focus on maximizing the property’s footprint for water access.

New sites for water access present a unique set of challenges. Too often lands ear-marked for water access are poorly located — seemingly leftovers of the available waterfront. Local governments should be encouraged to conduct a systematic examination of potential sites for water access development — one that considers the requirements for such facilities, identifies suitable areas, and creates zoning codes that support development. It is important that government incorporate this information into the master plans.

Once the site is selected, the next step in the planning process is to gain a full understanding of the development potential of the site. The goal is to create a framework for all additional work in the planning process. This includes identifying realistic development opportunities that take into consideration the space available for development. Continue »