PERMACULTURE SITE PLAN

Our City and County require a comprehensive site plan for most construction projects. These generally include the location of existing property lines and setbacks, topography, structures and physical features, as well as environmentally sensitive areas, which include wetlands, riparian areas, heritage trees and areas of native oak woodland, etc. A permaculture site plan includes the same items currently required by the County, but the perspective and long-term planning aspects of the plan are governed by an intent to establish sustainable culture on the area mapped.

This does not mean that anyone expects each individual parcel to be self-sustaining in supporting a resident population. Although this is a possibility on certain lots, it is understood that local and regional commerce is a part of the web of interdependence and that there is growth and movement from place to place. A permaculture site plan identifies the intended population (human and non-human) of a defined area, and proposes structures, improvements or non-disturbance areas that will support and enhance the maintenance of the populations.

Given the conflicting requirements of natural diversity, any plan is going to represent a compromise and a result that favors growth of certain populations to the detriment of others. This makes planning decisions complex.

Current land-use planning is either done without permits, intuitively by the landowner, or legally, under the auspices of the local agency with the willing or unwilling consent of the owner and various professionals. There is a hierarchy of input that goes into the development of any planned development, beginning with a proposal, and then subject to numerous ordinances, which are intended to protect the public health and safety, and to maintain minimal rates of environmental and cultural degradation. If the developer of the initial proposal is able to satisfy the requirements of the local ordinances without compromising the intent of their original project, the plan is approved and usually forgotten, although certain aspects, such as required zoning changes and setbacks, may have long-term affects.

A permaculture site plan is intended to be a living document. Beginning with as accurate a base map as possible, the plan identifies the limits of a site, topography, plant and animal regions and existing structures and improvements. It may include cross-sections of soil and solar and wind patterns or view sheds. Among the most unique factors of the permaculture process are the sector and zone deliniation.  Sectors are the outside forces that affect a site.  These may be natural or otherwise, but they are forces that are beyond the control of the landowner.  They include prevailing winds, desirable or undesirable views, sounds or smells, solar orientation, and the like.  Zonation refers to the elements of design that will require interaction with the intended population.  Because one of the purposes of the plan is to establish patterns of minimal energy consumption, the concept of zonation allows for grouping of activities requiring more inputs.

Because the non-human residents of the site are unable to express their opinions, it is essential to find advocates from among the human population to include the requirements of the various sub-communities. During the early planning stages all points of view should be embraced. These may include, but are not limited to: People who love the site, Terrestrial and aquatic biologists, ornithologists, herpetologists, mycologists, hydrologists, foresters, dirt-loving pagan tree-worshippers, firemen, civil and structural engineers, architects, farmers, fundamentalist shamans, trash junkies and others. Each person’s contribution should be as an advocate for his or her community and include geographically based suggestions for preserving or creating a long-term, stable habitat.

The site map will take a while to create. Balancing and integrating the sometimes-divergent points of view may require some difficult choices. Because the site plan is intended to be helpful in establishing long-term habitat it is worthwhile to take time creating the document. It should be created in the nourishing spirit of joy that a responsible land-steward intends to establish on their domain. The completed plan will include an overall portrait of the site, identify various zones by name and function, and show some of the intended structures or activities that will help enhance that zone’s properties.

Details and specifics may require other plans and drawings. The purpose of the overall site plan is to give a coordinating direction to general characteristics that affect the site and the greater neighborhood. It may prevent future use conflicts and will ideally provide a perspective for regenerative living.