The focus of the permitting process is both regulatory and aesthetic: regulatory in that there is a strict set of bylaws and regulations that must be adhered to, and aesthetic because of the visual and functional aspects that are examined and critiqued. SMMA’s civil engineers address all regulatory aspects of site permitting—including zoning, wetlands, and utilities—while our landscape and design architects provide the best aesthetic and programmatic solutions to the constraints faced in permitting.
Why Permitting Matters
Importance of Team Collaboration Through the Permitting Process
School projects are challenging for many reasons. Chief among them: Permitting. In Massachusetts, particularly, the simple fact is that good building sites are difficult to come by. Wetlands and other site constraints often restrict development, and many new schools are built on the same sites as the ones they will ultimately replace, resulting in a phased, occupied construction project. School building committees are often faced with a long agenda of community concerns, both programmatic and operational. SMMA has successfully permitted and designed numerous school projects in spite of these issues and constraints, largely by providing an integrated team from day one.
