Services
Site Feasibility Analysis & Due Diligence
All parcels have unique attributes which affect their ability to accommodate a land development project. Site topography, utility availability, access limitations, and environmental features can significantly impact a site's development potential and the project’s overall financial viability.
Cascadia Planning conducts site feasibility studies to evaluate prospective development scenarios. Provided by Steve Kay, AICP, our due diligence process combines code analysis, concept design evaluation, and agency coordination to give property owners and developers a realistic understanding of what a site can support before capital is committed.
Key Components of Our Analysis
- —Buildable Area & Capacity Mapping
- Calculating net buildable area by excluding land restricted by steep slopes, wetlands and designated habitat areas, stream corridors, easements, and public rights-of-way.
- —Infrastructure & Access Evaluation
- Reviewing public utility availability (water, sewer, stormwater) and local transportation infrastructure requirements.
- —Environmental & Hazard Overlay Screening
- Identifying critical areas on the site that will require specialized technical subconsultants (e.g., wetland and geotechnical studies).
- —Entitlement Risk Assessment
- Highlighting potential public opposition risks, agency review process, and realistic approval timelines.
Typical Project Scenarios
- —Raw Land Acquisition
- A residential homebuilder assessing a 10-acre parcel in Woodburn to determine realistic yield for a single-family subdivision.
- —Commercial Infill Project
- An investor evaluating a vacant urban lot in Portland Metro to determine access restrictions and building and site design requirements.
- —Rural Property Assessment
- A landowner looking to develop a non-farm dwelling in Linn County under Oregon’s resource land regulations.
Relevant Terminology
- Net Site Area
- The portion of a parcel remaining after deducting unbuildable areas like steep slopes, stormwater facilities, delineated habitat areas, and required public street dedications.
- Due Diligence Period
- The contractually specified timeframe during property purchase where developers evaluate the physical and legal aspects of a site.
