Business Details
17 Years
experience
Expert Land Development Solutions in West Chester, PA
Founded in 2009, InLand Design was established by Chuck Dobson, Todd Harmon, and Roman Dychdala to deliver efficient, personalized, and innovative engineering solutions for builders, developers, and homeowners. Our team of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Consultants specializes in navigating complex land development regulations to secure timely project approvals. Over the years, we have expanded our expertise and team, relocating to West Chester, Pennsylvania, where we continue to provide tailored services backed by decades of collective experience. Our staff includes seasoned professionals like Director of Engineering Linda Layer, Project Manager Joel Commanda, and Director of Survey Jason Harmon, all committed to overcoming regulatory challenges and delivering high-quality designs. Clients praise our responsive communication, technical precision, and deep understanding of zoning and environmental compliance.We serve commercial, residential, and municipal clients across Pennsylvania, offering services ranging from stormwater management to landscape architecture. Our growth reflects our dedication to client satisfaction, as evidenced by long-term partnerships with firms like Megill Custom Homes and Lombardi Residential. We prioritize transparency, ensuring projects meet deadlines and regulatory standards while maintaining cost-effectiveness. With a focus on innovation, we utilize advanced tools like Civil 3D and collaborate with experts in environmental and structural fields. Today, our 3,500-square-foot office houses a multidisciplinary team ready to tackle projects of any scale, combining technical excellence with a personal touch in an increasingly complex development landscape.
Services
Land Planning
Land Surveying
Engineering Design
Stormwater Management
Landscape Architecture
Subdivision Plans
Zoning Compliance
Environmental Studies
Project Management
Civil Engineering
Details
- Year established: 2009
Highlights and features
- We offer 15+ years of experience in Pennsylvania land development regulations.
- Our team includes licensed engineers and surveyors with specialized civil design expertise.
- We guarantee responsive communication and timely project submissions for permits.
- Our staff holds advanced certifications in stormwater management and landscape architecture.
- We maintain a 98% client retention rate through personalized, solution-focused service.
What people say
Creative solutions
Efficient designs
Knowledgeable staff
Responsive team
Dependable service
Services
Land Development Consulting
Our land development consultants specialize in securing municipal approvals through comprehensive zoning analysis and regulatory strategy. We prepare subdivision plans, environmental impact studies, and stormwater management designs that meet local ordinance requirements. With expertise in PennDOT and PA DEP permitting, our team ensures projects progress smoothly from concept to construction while maintaining compliance with evolving regulations.
Land Surveying
We provide precise land surveying services including topographic mapping, ALTA surveys, and boundary determinations. Our surveyors conduct deed research, wetland delineations, and floodplain studies to support accurate site planning. Using advanced photogrammetric control and GPS technology, we deliver legally defensible surveys that form the foundation for successful development projects across residential, commercial, and municipal properties.
Stormwater Management
Our stormwater management solutions include BMP design, erosion control planning, and NPDES permit compliance. We create site-specific drainage systems that meet environmental regulations while protecting infrastructure. Services cover post-construction stormwater plans, sediment control strategies, and sustainable water management practices integrated into overall land development projects for residential subdivisions and commercial developments.
Engineering Design
Our engineering team delivers site grading plans, roadway designs, and utility infrastructure layouts that meet municipal requirements. We specialize in sanitary sewer systems, water supply networks, and ADA-compliant accessibility designs. From highway improvements to parking lot expansions, our engineers create technically sound plans that balance functionality with regulatory compliance for residential, industrial, and institutional developments.
Landscape Architecture
We provide comprehensive landscape design services including planting plans, hardscape design, and stormwater BMP integration. Our landscape architects create functional outdoor spaces with aesthetic elements like entry features and recreational areas. Services extend to woodland inventories, open space management plans, and construction observation to ensure implementation aligns with approved designs for commercial, residential, and municipal projects.
People
Charles A. Dobson
Owner
As co-founder and owner, Chuck Dobson leads InLand Design's strategic direction with 15+ years of engineering experience. He oversees complex land development projects and maintains key client relationships while ensuring technical excellence across all services.
Linda R. Layer
Director of Engineering
Licensed Professional Engineer Linda Layer manages engineering operations with expertise in civil design and project management. She joined in 2019 and brings technical leadership to municipal and commercial development projects while authoring industry publications on engineering practices.
Joel D. Commanda
Project Manager
Project Manager Joel Commanda specializes in land development approvals and municipal ordinance compliance. With P.E. certification since 2015, he coordinates engineering teams to deliver site grading plans, stormwater systems, and zoning compliance solutions for residential and commercial clients.
Jason E. Harmon
Director of Survey
Director of Survey Jason Harmon oversees all surveying operations with P.L.S. certification. He manages boundary determinations, ALTA surveys, and photogrammetric control projects while maintaining equipment standards and field crew training programs for accurate data collection.
Meghan E.A. Shomper
Director of Landscape Architecture
Landscape Architecture Director Meghan Shomper leads site design initiatives with registered landscape architect credentials and arborist certification. She develops planting plans, recreational spaces, and sustainable stormwater solutions while managing woodland inventories and open space management plans for diverse developments.
Questions
What land development services do you offer?
We provide complete land development services including zoning analysis, subdivision plans, stormwater management, and municipal permitting for residential, commercial, and industrial projects.
How do you handle complex zoning regulations?
Our team includes experts in Pennsylvania zoning laws who create compliance strategies, prepare zoning hearing testimony, and secure necessary variances for challenging development projects.
What surveying services are available?
We offer topographic surveys, ALTA/ACSM land title surveys, boundary determinations, and construction staking services using GPS and robotic total station technology for precise measurements.
Do you work with residential developers?
Yes, we specialize in residential land development including subdivision design, townhome developments, and single-family home site planning with complete municipal approval assistance.
How do you manage stormwater compliance?
We design structural and non-structural BMPs, erosion control plans, and NPDES permit-compliant stormwater systems integrated with site grading and drainage infrastructure for all project types.
What areas do you serve?
We primarily serve Chester County and surrounding Pennsylvania regions, with extensive experience in West Chester, Exton, and Philadelphia metropolitan area development projects.
