Water Quality

Water, Water, Water Everywhere – but is it safe to drink? During due diligence, an investigation of the quality of the water supply should be undertaken to properly prepare what system you’ll need to include in your build or home. If the property is undeveloped, look for streams, ponds or lakes that are on or near the property. Take a …

Radon

Especially important to canaries is the level of radon in the proposed building site. Radon is a toxic gas formed from the natural decay of uranium in soil. If allowed to accumulate within a building, the inhalation of the gas by the building’s occupants could result in death. Radon cannot be prevented. It can only be mitigated. When selecting a …

Changing Technologies

Technology changes rapidly, especially in the field of communication services. One new technology on the horizon is the delivery of internet by the use of airplanes. Typically, electromagnetic waves are generated from towers that hold the communication equipment. Now that equipment may be on airplanes, flying overhead. When a site is under consideration, be sure to examine the airplane flight …

Site Mapping for Electromagnetic Forces

Since HFC will be providing accommodations for individuals suffering negative impacts from electromagnetic forces, it is prudent to conduct a site survey as part of our canary specific due diligence. There are several commercial operations offering this service. The analysis of electromagnetic forces can be measured both below and above ground. A mapping of these forces and their intensity will greatly assist …

Tax-Exempt Status Update

We interrupt our regular blog post scheduled to happily announce that Habitat for Canaries Inc. has been recognized as a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)3 of the Code. Specifically, HFC is recognized as a public charity under section 509(a)2. In addition to cash gifts, Habitat for Canaries can also tax receipt bequests, devises, transfers, or gifts. If you have been …

Cultural Analysis

A cultural analysis is a report that details the possible presence of burial grounds, endangered habitats for animals and vegetative species, and of course, sensitive archaeological sites such as battle fields, or other historically significant uses of the land. Finding evidence of cultural artifacts may prevent any development of the site.  Or if this report is not obtained and any …

Subsurface Analysis

Having investigated matters on and above the surface, it is also necessary to investigate issues that lay below the surface. One such issue is the capabilities of the soil. This is commonly known as a geotechnical report. It is designed to provide critical information to your engineering firm as to the soil conditions upon which the build area (roads, pathways and …

Wetlands

Generally, you cannot build or otherwise impact any wetland. To impact a wetland legally, requires a permit issued by the US Army Corp of Engineers who administer the Clean Water Act in concert with the federal Environmental Protection Agency. So, it is important that you know what, if any, wetlands exist on your property before planning any development or building.  …

Topographical Survey

In preparing the physical layout of the infrastructure and buildings on the site, having a topographical survey available will reduce surprises during construction and reduce those costly change orders. You can have a field run topographical survey on the property typically on a 200’ grid for large parcels, 100’ grid for smaller ones, and 10’ grid for very small parcels.  …

Land Use and Zoning

From HOA’s to State Governments, there are many governing jurisdictions that you need to investigate as part of due diligence to ensure that the intended use of the property is legally allowed. The regulation for the use of land is a zoning ordinance, and the improvement of land is a development ordinance. These ordinances often are combined into a Land …