Secondary Dwellings - Grading, Servicing and Surveys
Wesley Taylor | P.Eng Wesley Taylor | P.Eng

Secondary Dwellings - Grading, Servicing and Surveys

Laneway suites, also called garden suites or auxiliary dwelling units (ADUs), are self-contained residential units located on the same lot as a primary home. Popular in cities like Hamilton and Toronto, they offer rental income, multigenerational living, and increased housing supply. Challenges can include grading, drainage, and utility connections. Proper planning, including topographic surveys and engineering designs, is essential. Despite these challenges, laneway suites provide financial, social, and environmental benefits, making them a valuable addition to urban properties.

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Grading Plans in Hamilton: A Guide to Better Land Development
Wesley Taylor | P.Eng Wesley Taylor | P.Eng

Grading Plans in Hamilton: A Guide to Better Land Development

A grading plan is like a map for shaping land. In Hamilton and Ancaster, grading plans help make land safe and dry. They guide rainwater away from homes and buildings to prevent flooding. A good grading plan will protect neighborhoods, roads, and parks. They also keep nearby rivers and lakes clean by stopping dirt and debris from washing away.

An engineer will design each grading plan to meet the local rules. Proper planning can save money and protect your land for years to come.

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Grading Plan Requirements in the Town of Oakville
Wesley Taylor | P.Eng Wesley Taylor | P.Eng

Grading Plan Requirements in the Town of Oakville

A grading plan shows how land will be shaped to drain water properly and keep it safe. In Oakville, grading plans must follow the Development Engineering Procedures and Guidelines Manual. These plans help water flow away from buildings, use swales to direct rain to outlets, and protect the environment. Slopes, landscaping, or retaining walls are added if needed, and downspouts must drain onto the ground. Builders also need erosion controls to stop dirt from clogging sewers or harming waterways. Stormwater rules say sites must keep rainwater from small storms on-site. A SWM report explains how this works. After building, an engineer checks to make sure the grading matches the plan. Everwest Engineering creates expert grading plans and stormwater designs in Oakville. We make land safe, useful, and eco-friendly while meeting all rules. Contact us for help with your project!

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Understanding Stormwater Management

Understanding Stormwater Management

Stormwater management is the process of controlling rain and melting snow to prevent flooding, protect infrastructure, and safeguard the environment. Natural and designed systems work together to manage water, including creeks, rivers, ponds, and engineered solutions like swales, ditches, and sewers. In urban areas, hard surfaces increase runoff, leading to faster, higher, and more polluted water flows, requiring careful planning to minimize harm. At Everwest Engineering, we specialize in designing stormwater systems tailored to various projects, treating stormwater as a resource to create safer, healthier communities.

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