Land Surveying, Remote Sensing, &
Development Permitting Services

LAND SURVEYING

An ALTA Survey is a detailed survey prepared in accordance with the standards specified by the American Land Title Association (ALTA) and the American Congress of Surveying and Mapping (ACSM). An ALTA Survey shows the boundaries of the property, the location of improvements on the subject property, including any and all structures, fences, utility lines, roads, etc., along with the location of any/all easements. This is one of the most detailed surveys available and is typically associated with the sale or purchase of commercial real estate and vacant land.

A topographic survey or engineering design survey shows the existing topography and elevation information of a site. This survey consists of a series of spot elevations and contours that can be used in cut/fill volume calculations, watershed models, and other elements of site design. The parameters of the topographic survey can be customized to achieve the desired accuracy for each specific job.

A boundary survey determines true property boundaries and limits of a parcel of land described by a deed. Using historical research and monumentation found in the field, a boundary survey will show you the limits of a property, information on neighboring parcels, and any encroachments that may encumber the property.  

A tree survey shows the size, location, and species of trees in a specified area. Parameters of the tree survey can be customized to exclude trees of a certain size or species based on customer needs. This survey usually accompanies a topographic and boundary survey to complete a design survey package.

Route surveys consist of long, linear projects rather than tracts of land. They can include boundary, topographic, and utility information and they are often used for acquiring easements or rights-of-way. Route surveys are generally prepared as part of the early process for engineering works such as roads, pipelines, electrical transmission lines, and utilities.

Hydrographic surveys depict a detailed elevation model of the underwater world. Similar to topographic surveys, hydrographic surveys consist of a series of spot elevations and contours that represent the hard bottom below the surface of the water. Hydrographic surveys can be used to model canals, channels, lakes, and ponds. In addition to modeling the elevation of the bottom, water depths can also be determined.

An as-built survey documents the constructed conditions for the subject property. As-built surveys can be utilized for many purposes, most frequently they are used in planning future improvements, documenting that construction meets the specifications within the building and site plan drawings, document the constructed location of utility infrastructure, and for financial institutions to verify the site conditions. Construction as-builts are used by local government, utility, and planning organizations to verify the development was completed in accordance with the approved plans.

REMOTE SENSING

Aerial LiDAR is a service in which a LiDAR scanning system is mounted to a drone, helicopter, or fixed-wing aircraft. The LiDAR scanner collects an extremely dense 3D point cloud containing rich data that would take weeks or months to collect conventionally. Aerial LiDAR can collect data on hundreds of acres of land in a single flight. Even in dense vegetation that makes on the ground surveying prohibitively expensive, an aerial LiDAR system can penetrate all the way through to the ground to quickly produce a highly accurate point cloud.

Mobile mapping involves mounting a LiDAR scanning system and panoramic imagery acquisition system to a mobile platform such as a vehicle or boat. This allows for seamless data collection of roadways, waterways, and power corridors. Miles of data can be collected in a matter of minutes and keeps personnel out of potentially dangerous situations. The mobile mapping system ensures that all features are mapped and no data is missed.  

Terrestrial LiDAR is the use of a stationary scanning instrument to collect 360 degrees of dense 3D data and high-resolution imagery. Scans from strategically placed vantage points merge to create a seamless geolocated point cloud. Terrestrial LiDAR is taking the place of traditional survey methods using total stations where single survey points are collected individually. The terrestrial scanner collects millions of points in a matter of seconds, creating a detailed 3D model of every object and structure in the field of view.

Photogrammetry is the science of combining or projecting high resolution images for the purpose of taking measurements. In surveying, we use aerial photography to capture an area through overlapping high resolution images. By stitching together these aerial photographs, we can create a detailed 3D model of the site. From this model we can take precise real-world measurements of objects on the ground.

Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) in its simplest form consists of a database of spatial data along with pertinent, recorded attributes. Humans are visual creatures and we possess a unique ability to visualize patterns. The frequent use of charts and graphs are an example of using visual aids to convey complex ideas of information. Patterns that could take hours to interpret in a spreadsheet could be instantly identified in a map that interprets and conceptualizes pertinent information in a spatial format such as a map. This is the power of GIS, it allows us to present large amounts of complex data in easily digestible maps. MIRC Spatial has a team of experts utilizing the latest computer and software technologies to integrate our data or yours into an useful and aesthetically pleasing map.

DEVELOPMENT PERMITTING

An Elevation Certificate is a document that is issued by the National Flood Insurance Program. The elevation certificate documents important features of your property, including its location flood zone, building characteristics and certain elevations related to the structure. The complete form can be used for verifying a home or building is constructed in compliance with community guidelines for developing within special flood hazard areas or obtaining the best rates on flood insurance. If your home or building is located within a FEMA designated special flood hazard area, you may be required to obtain an Elevation Certificate. If you need an Elevation Certificate, MRIC Spatial’s team of experts, including a Certified Floodplain Manager, can help.

A Letter of Map Amendment, commonly referred to as a LOMA provides a process by which a property owner who thinks their property was inadvertently mapped in a high-risk flood area can request a change in the flood zone designation. There are certain requirements the property must meet in order to qualify for a LOMA and MRIC Spatial is prepared to assist you in the process.

A Letter of Map Revision, commonly referred to as a LOMR or LOMR-F officially documents a modification to the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) shown on the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM).  This process is used when the conditions have changed since the FIRM was issued. These changes can be as simple as documenting fill placed in a portion of the flood hazard area or they can be the result of natural or manmade changes in the hydrologic or hydraulic characteristics of the flooding source. The team of experts at MRIC Spatial is prepared to guide you through the process in any case.

An eLOMA (electronic letter of map amendment) provides an expedited process for obtaining a Letter of Map Amendment for a single residential structure. The eLOMA process can only be completed by a qualified and approved professional but if your home meets the requirements for a LOMA, an eLOMA, with approvals within days, and sometimes minutes, can quickly provide the documentation necessary to qualify for significant reductions in flood insurance premiums.

Medical marijuana dispensaries must meet certain requirements in order to obtain state and local approvals. A medical marijuana survey provides the information required to state a local officials to verify the applicant has met the requirements.