Planning on purpose

Work with experts
Don’t assume that personal boating experience or operating experience qualifies you to design and develop a new facility. The planning process is a collaborative process that should involve experts in their respective fields.

Depending on the size of the project, expert consultants are required to evaluate a variety of potential technical solutions and develop recommendations. Conducting workshops or “charettes” with all involved parties will provide the best opportunity to create a comprehensive plan. Roundtable discussions on issues including the market, physical limitations, permitting, local/regional zoning, regulatory compliance, operational design, and economic feasibility are all important topics for review.

The following disciplines are examples of those that should be involved in the planning process:

• Architects
• Civil engineers
• Land planners and landscape architects
• Coastal and environmental engineers
• Dock and building manufacturers
• Marina operation consultants
• Legal representation and local zoning experts

The goal is to produce an economically viable and profitable project without negatively affecting the opportunities for future development or neighboring property. This master planning approach helps avoid costly mistakes and problems in the future. Leaving any one discipline out can undermine the feasibility of the project.

I have worked on several projects that had difficulty expanding or reconfiguring because previous development decisions were made that restricted the property’s footprint. Because they developed without a master plan, buildings were placed in such a way on the site that new additions were difficult or impossible. Therefore, costly demolition had to be undertaken to accommodate the redevelopment.

Know the market
There should be a proportionate amount of market research conducted before making any development decisions. The focus is to identify if the project makes sense and adds value to the surrounding area.

There is a significant difference in the amount of research involved in putting in a picnic area as compared to building a dry stack storage building. Be realistic when conducting and reviewing the research.

The objective is to identify services and amenities that the market perceives to have value. Boaters don’t like to pay for amenities or services that they don’t use. If they feel that the dockage rates are helping to support amenities, like a pool, which they do not use, then eventually the boater will move on. Conducting market research should also identify unmet needs that represent new development opportunities for the market. Continue »