Key Considerations for Single-Family Residential Infill Construction
If you’re looking to learn more about developing infill properties, we invite you to continue reading this blog. We’ll discuss various factors you should consider when embarking on a residential infill development project.
What is Infill Development?
Infill development refers to the complex process of developing vacant or underutilized parcels of land within existing urban areas. These parcels, often referred to as infill sites, can be found in established neighborhoods or commercial districts, providing opportunities to revitalize urban spaces with new construction projects.
Infill development plays a crucial role in the health and vitality of urban neighborhoods. By reusing existing infrastructure and building on top of or around existing structures, infill projects help maintain the area’s character while adding new housing options.
Why is Infill Development a Good Thing for Communities?
Infill residential development, in particular, has the power to transform urban neighborhoods in meaningful ways, leading to increased property values, improved public spaces, and an enhanced overall quality of life for area residents.
Increased Property Values
One of the most significant benefits of infill real estate development is the potential to increase property values throughout the surrounding area. As vacant land or abandoned buildings are transformed into attractive new homes, the aesthetic appeal of the entire surrounding neighborhood improves.
This enhanced curb appeal can lead to higher property values for existing surrounding homes, benefiting long-time residents and investors alike. Additionally, the investment in new construction demonstrates confidence in the area, which can attract further development and reinvestment in the community.
Improved Public Spaces
Infill residential projects often involve the construction of new homes and the improvement of public spaces. Developers may work with the city to enhance adjacent parks, sidewalks, and streetscapes as part of their projects.
These upgrades help to create walkable communities that are more pedestrian-friendly and invite residents to spend time outdoors interacting with their neighbors.
Enhanced Quality of Life
Perhaps most importantly, infill residential development can enhance the overall quality of life for area residents. By providing new housing options within an established neighborhood, infill projects allow more people to enjoy the benefits of city living, including easy access to public transportation, shops, restaurants, and employment opportunities.
This convenience can reduce commuting times and expenses, leaving residents more time and money to enjoy the things they love. Additionally, the revitalization brought by infill development can lead to a greater sense of community pride and engagement among residents, further enriching the quality of life in the neighborhood.
Why Infill is Also Good for Developers
Residential infill development offers a compelling opportunity for investors seeking to capitalize on the growing demand for housing within urban communities. For example, depending on where you’re building, there may be a density bonus that allows you to build more residential units than typically allowed in exchange for specific community benefits.
Infill communities developers often enjoy lower development costs and impact fees, plus tax incentives and a streamlined permitting process as local municipalities welcome renewed interest in communities earmarked for reinvestment.
At the same time, the limited supply of developable land within urban areas means that infill projects can command premium rents or sales prices, providing investors with a strong potential for returns.
Finally, infill development projects often involve less land acquisition cost compared to greenfield development on the outskirts of cities, further enhancing the financial viability of these projects.
The Infill Development Process
While the specific steps may vary depending on the project, the infill development process generally involves several key stages. Understanding these steps can help you navigate the process and set your project up for success.
Finding Suitable Infill Lots
The first step in any infill development project is finding a suitable site. This involves identifying vacant or underutilized land within existing urban areas that offer potential for development.
Factors to consider when evaluating infill lots include their location, size, topography, and surrounding land uses. Researching the site’s history is also important to identify any potential issues, such as environmental contamination or complex ownership structures.
Zoning Considerations and Changes
Once a promising site has been identified, the next step is to determine its current zoning and whether it allows for the proposed use. Infill development often involves working with parcels that were zoned for different uses in the past, so changes may be necessary. Depending on the specific circumstances, this might involve seeking a rezoning, variance, or special permit.
Navigating zoning regulations requires a deep understanding of municipal codes and the ability to communicate effectively with city officials and community members. Rockford Construction has built strong relationships with local government across the region, allowing us to navigate zoning codes and considerations adeptly and secure the necessary approvals for our infill projects.
Building Codes and Architectural Standards
In addition to zoning, infill developers must also comply with all relevant building codes and architectural standards. These regulations ensure that new construction is safe, accessible, and compatible with the existing character of the neighborhood.
The goal of any infill project should be to complement the existing neighborhood fabric, not clash with it. This means carefully considering the architectural style, scale, and materials of new construction to ensure it fits in with the surrounding buildings.
For these reasons, infill projects often involve balancing the need for modern amenities with the desire to fit in with the surrounding architecture.
Workflow and Collaboration with Local Governments
The infill development process requires close collaboration with various stakeholders, including city officials, neighborhood groups, and other community members. Open communication and a willingness to listen to feedback are key to building support for the project and navigating any challenges that arise.
At Rockford Construction, we pride ourselves on our ability to collaborate with all stakeholders, ensuring that our infill projects meet the needs of our clients and the wider community. Our streamlined workflow and extensive experience with the entitlements process allow us to move projects forward efficiently, minimizing delays and keeping costs under control.
Environmental Impact Assessment
Before construction can begin, an environmental impact assessment must be conducted to identify any potential issues related to the site. This may involve testing for soil contamination, assessing the presence of wetlands, and evaluating the project’s potential effects on stormwater runoff and other environmental factors.
It’s important to keep in mind that each project has an ecological footprint. For example, your infill lot may look innocent enough, but it may require environmental mitigation strategies or remediation of contaminants.
It’s best to partner with professionals like our team at Rockford Construction, who can carefully navigate each stage of the infill development process to ensure you make the most of your single-family residential infill opportunity.
Important Factors in Infill Development
While the specific considerations may vary from project to project, several key factors must always be considered by infill developers. By carefully evaluating these factors, we can create infill developments that are not only successful for our clients but also beneficial for the surrounding community.
Market Conditions and Property Values
Current real estate market conditions and property values play a crucial role in an investor’s decision making process to move forward with building single-family infill properties. In a strong market with rising property values, infill development can be an attractive strategy for investors seeking to capitalize on the demand for housing within urban areas.
With limited land available in established neighborhoods, infill projects can command premium prices, providing investors with a strong potential for returns. Additionally, the growing desire for walkable, amenity-rich neighborhoods is driving demand for infill housing, leading to high occupancy rates and cash flow for investors.
However, in a softening market, investors must carefully evaluate the feasibility of infill projects, considering factors like construction costs, financing terms, and the competitive landscape. Even in challenging market conditions, though, well-located infill projects with a product that meets the needs of the market can still provide a strong upside for investors.
At the same time, certain costs associated with infill development are reduced because developers can tap into existing infrastructure such as sewage, water systems, telephone and cable lines, and power. Savings here can impact how quickly your project shows a return on investment.
Public Transportation Options and Walkability
In today’s urban areas, proximity to public transportation and walkability are more important than ever. People are increasingly seeking out neighborhoods where they can easily walk or bike to shops, restaurants, parks, and other amenities or quickly access public transportation to get to work or other destinations.
So, when evaluating sites for your single-family residential infill project, look for parcels with good access to bus or rail lines, as well as those in pedestrian-friendly locations.
Know Your Neighbors
Finally, infill developers must consider the impact of their projects on the overall economic and housing dynamics within the community. It’s important to remain mindful of the potential for gentrification, displacement, or disruption to the existing residents. To mitigate this, it’s important to engage with the neighbors from the outset and make an effort to truly become a part of the community.
Conclusion
As we’ve seen, infill development offers a powerful way to transform urban areas, making them more vibrant, sustainable, and desirable. By building on vacant or underutilized parcels within existing neighborhoods, new housing can be created that enhances the quality of life for residents and contributes to the long-term health of our cities.
However, the infill development process involves building a range of complex considerations, from finding suitable sites to navigating zoning and building codes to addressing environmental and community concerns. Success in infill development requires a deep understanding of the local market, a keen eye for design, and the ability to collaborate effectively with various stakeholders.
At Rockford Construction, we have the experience, expertise, and passion to navigate the challenges of residential infill development and deliver projects that exceed expectations.
If you’re interested in exploring the potential of infill development in your community, we invite you to contact us today to learn more about the potential of infill development and how Rockford Construction can help you make the most of this unique opportunity.
