of a small community. The local community reacted to the proposal to remove these trees with nearly ubiquitous resistance. Instead of challenging the community directly, ownership elected to change the narrative to bring their support to their side. They consulted with a local arborist and issued a joint press release informing citizens that although the trees were going to be removed, they would be replaced with native varieties that supported the local ecology. This approach was an effective way to garner a positive community response, and the project was not delayed. Social media makes reaching the people who will benefit from your development easier. Previously, alerting the community to your planned development might have involved signs, a flyer campaign, or even a door-to-door approach. Now,
you can reach out directly to your target audience since social media groups exist for nearly all commu- nities, interests, and organizations. However, social media is a double-edged sword. Savvy developers will carefully curate their reputations online to gain the best response from local groups. Regardless of the methods used to interact with the community, positive support will always help your chances of approval and may be the deciding factor in whether you are able to proceed. WHEN IN DOUBT, GO LOCAL Waiting for approval of your project can cast a shadow of uncertainty over your entire plan. It is important to remember that local professionals and residents are some of your strongest resources to advocate
to local officials on your behalf. Alternatively, these individuals can also be some of the first to let you know if your development plan is ever likely to be approved or successful in your chosen location. Although no one ever wants to scrap a plan entirely, it is certainly better to do so in the early stages of the project, before you make significant investments of time and capital. No matter how large or small your planned project is, it is always prudent to reach out to those with local knowledge and connections to effectively set yourself up for success. •
David Jacobs is a senior project specialist with Owner Builder Advisors. His experience includes construction labor, construction risk management,
and sales. Jacobs uses his background of both onsite and in-office construction work to better assist OBA clients.
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