In our spring 2024 newsletter, we highlighted a really exciting project for our team: the Cedar Fort Estates subdivision. Our team, led by survey project manager Kent Withers, was hired to help develop the first-ever subdivision in Cedar Fort, Utah. Meryn Arnold, a retired developer from Arnold Family Farms, came out of retirement to make this project happen and entrusted us with helping get the process started.
A surprise irrigation line
As our team got to work, we realized that it would be necessary to consult historical survey records. This practice is common in surveying, especially in unexplored or undeveloped areas. Since this was to be the first-ever subdivision in Cedar Fort, we had to dig deep and go back to records dating to the 19th century to see how the land was used and re-establish the property boundaries. As our team dug into the records, we discovered an irrigation company had installed a high-pressure line through the land parcel. This line would need to be removed before the construction process could begin. Unfortunately, we couldn’t locate it during farming season, so we had to wait to start construction when the season was over.
From five lots to four lots
After discovering the irrigation line, the project had another surprise for our team. During surveying, we discovered that S.R.-73 dissected the land parcel, which meant we’d have to make a deduction for the road. This deduction reduced our lot count from five lots to four, and we ended up having to work with the town of Cedar Fort to implement a zone change process from a 5-acre to 4-acre zone. It was an exciting process for the town and for our team as we got to introduce their local government to all the intricacies of the land development process.
The importance of historical research in surveying projects
This project was a great example of the value of historical research in the survey process. Surveying is more than just measuring land. It’s about understanding the layers of history that have shaped the land over time. Historic survey plans are indispensable records that offer insights into past landscapes, property boundaries, and land use. Preserving these documents is essential for finding a tangible link to our past and ensuring future land development is sustainable and culturally sensitive. We could have faced significant construction delays or issues without the records we consulted for this project.
Understanding the legal significance of historical surveys
Despite their age, historical survey documents can still be legally binding in some cases. In other cases, they offer vital insight into boundary lines and land ownership that can cause issues during the land development phase. Without properly examining these records to get a clear sense of the property’s previous boundaries and ownership, issues like title or ownership claims may become a problem.
Educational value and historical documentation
Another value of historical survey documents is that they help us learn about how the land was used in the past. This process can be vital during construction or development. Historical survey records can indicate previous properties or land use that may affect the construction process. For example, imagine if a land development project went ahead over an area that was a covered mine or pit from 100 years ago or more. Modern records may not show this, which could be problematic when construction begins as the ground could be weak or cave in.
Additionally, historical records are crucial for preserving cultural landmarks. Over time, historic sites, landmarks, and architectural features that tell the story of a region’s identity can be destroyed or covered up. Historical records can help us locate these valuable landmarks, preserve them, or integrate them into the development of a new area.
Promoting environmental conservation and sustainability
Historical records are also invaluable in ongoing environmental conservation and sustainability efforts. These records can often indicate how precious resources like bodies of water, forests, wetlands, and underground reservoirs were used in the past. Developers can use this knowledge during the project development phase to create environmentally conscious designs that consider the area’s ecological sustainability. In our home state of Utah, where water use is so important, historical records on how water was previously used are invaluable in planning future water use to promote sustainability.
Historical records are essential in the surveying process
When it comes to land development, the value of historical research during the surveying process cannot be overstated. The records we consulted during the Cedar Fort Estates project were crucial to the project, and we’re so glad we were able to access them. On this project, our survey team provided essential services, including construction staking, as-builts of constructed improvements, and setting the stage for the construction of the houses in the new subdivision. It was a great partnership, and we’re excited for the town of Cedar Fort and its newest subdivision, the Cedar Fort Estates!
