Land Development Terminology

This page has been included for those who are not familiar with some of the terminology that is used in the development industry. Also included are some important points that relate to the industry. (Simplified Format)

“Annexation” is a process of expanding the legal boundary of a municipality to include land lying within another jurisdiction. Generally this means annexing from a county into a city. Annexation provides urban levels of service for fire, police, water, sewer, electricity and other government services. Annexation is a legal process that requires approval from government bodies. In order to annexure a property it must adjoin land that is currently annexed into that specific jurisdiction.

“DA or DO” means Development Approval (also known as Development Order), which are the necessary permits issued by the Local and State Governments allowing a development to proceed.

“Due Diligence” means the investigations and research that is initially conducted on a property and usually includes a pre-lodgement meeting with the Local authorities. This is usually completed at the developers own cost.

“Re-zone” means a change in the land use classifications and ultimately the type of development that would be allowed on a subject property. Eg. Residential to Commercial. This is usually a lengthy process and would require intensive negotiations with council and other government agencies. The zoning is usually determined based on intensity, density, height of proposed and surrounding projects, surrounding land uses, traffic impacts, access to the property, environmental issues, availability of services and overall compatibility. The rezone is usually warranted when it is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan (Future Land Use) as well as the above mentioned factors.

“Comprehensive Plan” is a document that provides a "blueprint" for growth and development of a region such as a city or county. They are required by law for each county to have one and details issues such as land use, traffic circulation, housing, solid waste, drainage, sanitary sewer, recreation, aquifer recharge, etc. All development occurring in an area must be compatible with the adopted comprehensive plan.

“PSP” means Preliminary Subdivisional Plan, this is a conceptual layout of the proposed subdivision which is to be lodged with any development application. In order to undertake the PSP, a boundary and topographical survey must be completed, which can take 4-12 weeks depending on property size and availability of surveyors.