Using the Parcel Sizing Tools

The next set of tools on the Parcel Layout Tools toolbar that you will learn about is by far the most powerful: the Parcel Sizing Tools. These tools enable you to lay out multiple lots within a predetermined area, with each lot meeting the size parameters that you specify. These tools will create the bulk of the lots in a residential land development design such as the example project you have been working on.

You can use the following three tools to create new lots based on size:

Slide Line – CreateThis tool creates one or more lots by sliding a line along the frontage until all size and dimension requirements are met.

Swing Line – CreateThis tool creates one or more lots by rotating a line around a fixed swing point and intersecting it with a lot line across from the swing point. The result is one or more lots that radiate outward from the swing point.

Free Form CreateThis tool creates a lot by attaching one end of a line to a parcel segment and extending that line along a specified angle (usually perpendicular) until it intersects another parcel segment.

To create lots using the parcel sizing tools, complete these steps:

The Exercise File can be downloaded at the end of the article  

1. Open the drawing named Using the Parcel Sizing Tools.dwg located in the Chapter 12 class data folder.

2. On the Home tab of the ribbon, click ParcelParcel Creation Tools.

3. On the Parcel Layout Tools toolbar, expand the button containing the parcel sizing tools and click Slide Line – Create.
4. Click OK to dismiss the Create Parcels – Layout dialog box.
5. When you’re prompted to select a parcel, click the label that reads Property : 25 at the southwest end of the project.
6. When you’re prompted to select the first point on the frontage, click the western endpoint of the lot line you previously created at station 4+20.38 (0+128.13), as shown in Figure 12.9.

   Figure 12.9  Selecting the beginning point of the frontage

7. Move your cursor in a southeastern direction along the frontage line. Note the orange “highlighter” that follows your cursor. Snap to the endpoint of the curve at station 11+83.29 (0+360.67), as shown in Figure 12.10.

   Tips:This “highlighter” is called a jig line, and it serves as a visual cue that your cursor is graphically linked to something; in this case, it’s a parcel segment.

   Figure 12.10  Selecting the endpoint of the frontage.

8. When you’re prompted to specify the angle, type 90 at the command line and press Enter. A preview of the new parcel will appear near the start point of the frontage..

   Tips:Since 90 degrees is the default, you could have simply pressed Enter when prompted for the angle.

9. Press Enter to accept the current sizing parameters and create the parcel.
10. Press Esc to exit the current command but keep the Parcel Layout Tools toolbar open.

11. Click Swing Line – Create and click the label that reads Property : 2 near the southeastern corner of the project.
12. When you’re prompted for the start point of the frontage, snap to the northern endpoint of the Property : 2 parcel, as shown in Figure 12.11.

    Figure 12.11  Selecting the beginning point of the frontage.

13. When you’re prompted for the endpoint of the frontage, move your cursor in a westerly direction along the property line and snap to the western endpoint of the same parcel (see Figure 12.12).

    Figure 12.12  Selecting the ending point of the frontage.

14. When you’re prompted for the swing point, use an Endpoint object snap to select the property corner just south of the Property : 2 label. A preview of the parcel will be displayed using the current Minimum Area setting of 10890 Sq. Ft. (1500 sq.m.).

    Tips:To use an Endpoint object snap, hold down the Shift key and right-click; then select Endpoint.

15. If the chevron at the right end of the Parcel Layout Tools toolbar is pointing downward, click it. If not, skip to the next step.
16. Type 1-acre (0.4hectare) for the Minimum Area value and press Enter. The preview is updated to reflect the new area.

    Tips:You can type a number followed by the unit (without a space), and that number will be converted to the current units.

17. Press Enter to create the parcel. One scenario where this type of parcel might be used would be if an environmental agency requested a 1-acre (0.4-hectare) preservation area to mitigate environmental impacts elsewhere on the site.

18. Press Esc to clear the current command. On the Parcel Layout Tools toolbar, click Free Form Create.
19. Move your cursor along the property line to the east of the Property : 25 label. Note how the line preview attaches itself to the parcel segment and extends outward until it intersects another parcel segment.
20. With your cursor on the west side of the line, snap to the midpoint of the parcel segment.

    Tips:To use a midpoint object snap, hold down your Shift key and right-click; then select Midpoint.

21. When you’re prompted for a direction, press Enter to specify perpendicular. A new parcel line and a new parcel are created.
22. Press Esc twice to clear the current command and close the Parcel Layout Tools toolbar.

Creating Parcels by Layout

• Using the Lot Line Tools
• Using the Parcel Sizing Tools
• Using Parcel Sizing and Layout Parameters

Download Exercise File :

• Creating Parcels by Layout - Metric     --- ( 1.84 MB )
• Creating Parcels by Layout - Imperial  --- ( 2.89 MB )