Select Site Certification
The intent of the Select Site
Certification Process is to provide a consistent set of standards regarding site readiness
that both development professionals
and business prospects can easily understand and rely upon.The business professional must know how much
time will be required to control the site, develop it, begin construction, and
initiate plant/business startup.Adequate planning with a minimum level of risk is imperative.Similarly, the development professional must
convey information in a way that is accurate, relevant and meaningful to the
prospect - with the possibility of not even knowing that a site is being
considered.
The ideal scenario is for a
site to be one hundred percent ready.This would mean that all infrastructure is in place,
all required permits
are easily obtainable, no questionable environmental conditions exist,
and property control allows for any possible occupancy scenario - whether it
is a lease, out right purchase, or lease to own.The reality, however, is that no perfect site exists.Each site has unique challenges and
characteristics that must be resolved or addressed in some fashion - whether
large or small.To address this issue,
a site certification process has been developed which categorizes property
according to the site's readiness for use.The three levels are as follows:
Each level has minimum amount
of data that must be provided by development professionals.In addition, there must be a clear
demonstration that certain activities have taken place that will allow the
property to be used for its intended purpose.The following gives an overview of each level.
To be classified as a
Registered Site, only a minimum amount of information is required, which is descriptive
in nature and includes the following:
- Information
Requirements
- Site
must be zoned for an appropriate business use.
A SelectSite is synonymous with
being ready for development immediately.The condition of the site conforms to an exhaustive set of site
requirements that must be addressed in order to be eligible for this
classification. The development
professional knows that the SelectSite benchmark requirements have been met
once the site qualifies for this status.Likewise, the business prospect is assured that the information supplied
demonstrates an appropriate level of site preparedness with confidence that the
data has been verified.
- Information requirements
- Site must be available (for sale or lease) -
established terms and conditions for sale
- Site must have a Phase I Environmental Audit
complete. If Phase I recommended a
Phase II Audit, the Phase II Audit must be complete. If Phase II Audit recommended
mitigation actions, then Mitigation Plan must be complete.
- Utility infrastructure must be in place at the
site or have planned right of way access identified.
- Site must consist of developable and contiguous
acres and must be accessible (no right-of-ways or easements can be
blocking access to site)
- Site must be permit-able within a 90 day timeframe
(including rezoning)
- Wetland delineation must be complete
- Site development plan must be complete. If the site is a multi-site park, a
preliminary subdivision plan must be complete.
- Topographic and geo-technical studies are
complete
- Site must be outside the 100 year floodplain
- Site must be zoned for an appropriate business
use
- Aerial or site photos, boundary maps, and site
plans are available
Questions about SelectSite designation? Go here for answers to frequently asked questions.
