Preliminary site-screening checklist

Set up the screening record

Copy these fields for each workstream: question, current evidence and date, document or investigation needed, responsible professional, deadline, investigation budget, status and consequence of an adverse finding. Start with the parcel identifier, actual jurisdiction, proposed use and customer.

Record whether information is observed, reported or independently reviewed. An aerial image can show a driveway; it cannot by itself establish a legal right of access.

Work through the checklist

• Ownership and control: identify the owner, rights offered, restrictions and contractual deadlines for counsel to review.
• Title, boundaries and access: request appropriate records and identify survey or access questions.
• Use and approvals: distinguish the existing zoning designation, proposed use and required approval pathway.
• Physical and environmental conditions: flag drainage, soils, contamination concerns and specialist investigations.
• Utilities and exposure: investigate service availability, capacity, connection cost, flood information and insurance questions.
• Demand and delivery: test customer alternatives, likely scope, schedule, financing conditions and operating responsibilities.

Decide what deserves attention first

Prioritize by consequence, investigation cost and deadlines. Some reviews can proceed together; do not impose a rigid sequence that delays a decision-critical question.

For example, record “utility capacity unconfirmed; obtain written provider response; unresolved connection cost could change feasibility.” Assign an owner and a review point rather than marking the issue complete because an email was sent.

A map or site visit is only an input. Transfer significant unresolved findings into the risk register and obtain qualified review before relying on legal, engineering or environmental conclusions.