×
INTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS

Log In

Come Join Us!

Are you an
Engineering professional?
Join Eng-Tips Forums!
  • Talk With Other Members
  • Be Notified Of Responses
    To Your Posts
  • Keyword Search
  • One-Click Access To Your
    Favorite Forums
  • Automated Signatures
    On Your Posts
  • Best Of All, It's Free!
  • Students Click Here

*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail.

Posting Guidelines

Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden.

Students Click Here

Jobs

Can a Civil PE ethicall prepare a landscape plan?

Can a Civil PE ethicall prepare a landscape plan?

Can a Civil PE ethicall prepare a landscape plan?

(OP)
We have been asked to prepare a site design plan for a local developer, including grading S& E, and stormwater.  The site is a small commercial development.  The client has also asked us to prepare the landscape plan.  The landscape plan does not have to be sealed.  Would we be stepping  into a possible trouble spot if we were to preapre the landscape plan even though we do not seal it.  The requirement and most of the info is in the local code.  Thanks for you input.

RE: Can a Civil PE ethicall prepare a landscape plan?

Just do it.  I mean, it's landscaping.  Follow the code and pick out some pretty plants.

RE: Can a Civil PE ethicall prepare a landscape plan?

I don't see a problem with it... I often get involved with drainage issues and pavement design... unless your juridiction has a problem with it...

Dik

RE: Can a Civil PE ethicall prepare a landscape plan?

Check your state rules as one source.  It's not uncommon for engineers to do minor work out of their main field, and the rules usually make some provision for this.  It assumes you're capable of doing an adequate landscape plan, of course.

RE: Can a Civil PE ethicall prepare a landscape plan?

I see no problem at all. Landscaping is the final step in Erosion and Sediment Control.

Most municipalties provide guidance through their land development code for approved plants, seed mix and other requirements.

RE: Can a Civil PE ethicall prepare a landscape plan?

I agree with everyone else. The municipalities ususally spell out landscaping planting requirements. If you don't feel comfortable doing that, draw up the areas that need landscaped and hire a sub-consultant. We use a local nursery (they have a guy) and it is cheaper for our clients (even after mark-up) than having an engineer try and figure it out.

Another way is to simply hatch the areas and callout "landscaping to meet municipal code ____" and then have the landscaping contractor submit a shop drawing that is approved by the owner (you don't care what the plants look like) and you add this to your binding site plan drawings.

Lots of ways around it, it is probably easiest to involve your client and the jurisdiction and pick the one that makes you look the smartest.

RE: Can a Civil PE ethicall prepare a landscape plan?

(OP)
Thanks alot for all the input.

RE: Can a Civil PE ethicall prepare a landscape plan?

Architecture and Landscape Architecture are complementary and overlapping to civil engineering in most jurisdictions.  Neither is precluded from practicing the other for incidental design needs.

RE: Can a Civil PE ethicall prepare a landscape plan?

I do seasonal landscape designs for residential properties ever since I bought my first house. It was originally aimed at learning how to avoid errors in this field, but it turned into an interesting sideline.

The last few years brought many contracts for correction of drainage problems. It has become obvious that builders have been giving scant attention to drainage in  residential areas.

One particular house should not have been built in one area that qualified for a neighborhood swail and storm drain. The street becomes a skating rink in late winter. The municipality will build the storm drain if the owners will pay for it.

RE: Can a Civil PE ethicall prepare a landscape plan?

To answer the original question:
- It takes training in landscape design to make meaningful selections of plants and trees for the locale in question (dry, wet, windy, hot, cold, sun, shade, etc.)

- The basic opener for landscape design is considerations of vistas both from the outside and the inside of the property. In this connection decisions are made for providing a favorable long view of the property. In addition, what views do you want to screen from inside? What favorable views do you want to support with open lawn? Landscape design will help the property dominate the neighborhood with judicious screening.

- Provision for useful pavements, walks, small lunch shelters, pleasant views formed from pond, gazebo, remote shaded bench groups, fenced utility zones, etc. Some will differ on this point, but a surrounding fence is a good starting point for landscaping. One plant I worked at was in a no-fence zone. The locals used it for a park afterhours. It was even used for amorous encounters to put it mildly.

- Drainage is sorely neglected in the landscape, but in the industrial setting provisions are made for rain retention ponds. This cannot be done with residential property unless the owner is willing to manage a retention zone. I have come across many homeowners with unwanted rain retention on their properties.

- Sprinklers should be planned for immediate installation or future completion. Separate water meters are an economic necessity to avoid paying sewer costs on water that is not sent to sewer drain facilities.

- Construction costs connected with landscape design can exceed the cost of trees and plants. Budgeting for this is necessary.

Red Flag This Post

Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Reasons such as off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework.

Red Flag Submitted

Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.
The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action.

Reply To This Thread

Posting in the Eng-Tips forums is a member-only feature.

Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members!


Resources