"A.G. Zoutewelle Surveyors exhibits a very high standard of professionalism – they are highly responsive, do what they say they are going to do when they say they will do it and their work is always accurate."

– Charles Jarnigan    
Lincoln Harris

 

 

 

Case Study #5: Urban Redevelopment - Brownfields

Many of our clients rebuild or renovate old industrial or retail urban and suburban properties which have been subject to chemical leaks from many years ago.  These areas are especially challenging to develop. Just like renovating This Old House, many surprises and hidden obstacles await developers and builders.  Fortunately, our clients benefit from our ability to consistently deliver Focused Contextual Surveying Solutions related to unique brownfield conditions.

A.G. Zoutewelle Surveyors is a leader in Notice of Brownfields Surveys and Hazardous Material Surveys in North Carolina.  In order to overcome the risks and liability of the chemical and industrial residues from former uses, developers have been able to successfully purchase and renovate these properties through the North Carolina Brownfields Property Reuse Act of 1997.  This law specifies that, among other things, a land survey plat must be certified and recorded in order to provide notice that safeguards should be maintained for the protection of the public in the future.  In exchange, property owners are provided with certain liability protections.  The survey plat is intended to identify the areas within the property where contaminants have been measured by environmental inspectors.  The survey also provides notice of the contaminant levels at these locations as well as notice of land use restrictions on the property to protect future owners and tenants.

The South End area of Charlotte’s Center City has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years.  This area was blighted by dilapidated industrial buildings, leftovers of Charlotte’s cotton and textile industries of the 1800’s.  Today this area is marked by midrise office and residential buildings.  If you drive or walk through this area, you will see a blend of these midrise buildings with historic brick buildings which were saved and renovated into retail, office and residential buildings, rich in character.  Interestingly, this South End neighborhood is home to the earliest North Carolina Brownfields sites after the law was adopted in 1997.  A.G. Zoutewelle Surveyors has been involved in most of the Brownfields properties in Charlotte’s South End and is proud to have played a role in the transformation of this revitalized and attractive area.

Because of the additional regulatory oversight, these Notice of Brownfield plats must be done right.  A.G. Zoutewelle Surveyors has been involved from the very beginning of the NC Brownfields Program when the original law was adopted in 1997.  A.G. Zoutewelle Surveyors is the leader in the surveying of Brownfields properties in the Charlotte region, having actually mapped a significant number of all the Brownfields sites in the area.  A.G. Zoutewelle Surveyors’ understanding and experience with these filings gives our clients the confidence that their plats are being prepared correctly in order that the public comment and recording processes go smoothly.