Before They Build™

Community Record Series · Vol. 01

Understand what's changing before decisions are made.

Everyday guidance for the notice, the meeting, the project, or the problem — built to help communities get informed and involved.

What's happening near you?

Tell us in one sentence — we'll point you to the right tool.

Start with…

Private to this device · No accounts · Free

Not sure where to start? Take the 3-question guide →

Free to read. Free to print. Written by neighbors, for neighbors.

What happens if you use this

  1. 01Understand

    What is happening.

  2. 02Prepare

    Notes, evidence, the right questions.

  3. 03Participate

    Walk in prepared. Speak with confidence.

  4. 04Keep a Record

    So the next neighbor starts ahead.

  5. 05Help your community

    Pass the binder forward.

Guides for:Solar FarmsData CentersTransmission LinesRezoningWarehouses

Plate I · Step 1 of 3

Or take the 3-question guide.

Pick what's happening. We'll ask two more short questions and hand you a Civic Action Card.

See all questions

Common situations

What's going on?

PLATE A · CIVIC ATLAS

What's being built?

Pick the picture that looks closest — no wrong answers.

Line drawing of a solar farm — rows of panels behind a perimeter fence

PLATE A · FIG. 01

Solar farm

Panels, fence line, glare, lease, decommissioning

Open
Line drawing of a data center building with cooling towers and transformers

PLATE A · FIG. 02

Data center

Cooling towers, transformers, water, noise, power

Open
Line drawing of a high-voltage transmission tower with overhead conductors

PLATE A · FIG. 03

Transmission line

Towers, conductors, easements, state utility commission

Open
Line drawing of parcel maps and a planning document with boundary lines

PLATE A · FIG. 04

Rezoning

Parcel lines, boundary changes, what's allowed

Open
Line drawing of a location pin over trees, wetlands, and a small waterway

PLATE A · FIG. 05

Environment

Wetlands, water, wildlife, tree canopy

Open
Line drawing of a building under construction with a tower crane

PLATE A · FIG. 06

Construction & operations

Permits, noise, dust, hours, what's allowed

Open

Pick your path

What stage is the development in your area?

Not sure yet? Start here

Proposed

Plans, hearings, comments, deadlines.

Start this path

Construction

Permits, noise, dust, safety.

Start this path

Operating

Ongoing impacts, complaints, monitoring.

Start this path

Notice / Letter

What it means, what to do, by when.

Start this path

Who Handles What?

Find the agency, office, or department that handles your issue. The fastest path when you don't know who to call.

What happened?

What do you need help with?

📬 I received a letter🏛️ Public hearing🚧 Construction nearby📁 My project file📍 Neighborhood concern👀 I'm just learning🧭 Where to start❓ Not sure

Browse by project type

Solar FarmData CenterTransmission LineRezoningConstructionPublic NoticeNot SureMore topics

Why this helps

Avoid surprises.

  • Understand notices before deadlines pass
  • Show up to the meeting prepared
  • Ask sharper, better questions
  • Keep a clear, organized record
  • Share information with neighbors

Your street, your record

Built to help communities get informed and involved.

Print-ready for the kitchen table — written for the prepared neighbor.

Start with first steps How it works

Support the mission →

What we provide

What you get — and what you keep.

Why this exists

Local decisions move quickly. We help you arrive on time — informed and ready.

What we do

Explain processes in everyday language, organize what matters, and help you ask better questions.

You bring the initiative

You decide what to say, when to speak, and which neighbors to bring. We bring the maps, the timeline, and the questions worth asking.

Your information

Private to this device. Anything you save stays on your device — you control when to print, share, or clear it.

How it works

Understand · Document · Participate · Remember.

Four practical steps that work whether your neighborhood is facing a rezoning, a new construction site, or a notice you can't make sense of.

  1. Understand

    Everyday explanations of what's happening and what it means for your street.

  2. Document

    Capture notices, photos, and notes in one place — so nothing important slips by.

  3. Participate

    Ask better questions, write clearer letters, and show up prepared at the right meeting.

  4. Remember

    Build a clear, organized record future neighbors can pick up where you left off.

Starting points

Where would you like to begin?

Six common starting points. Pick the one that sounds most like you — none of them are wrong.

Neighbor

A project, meeting, or notice affects your neighborhood.

Start Here Wizard

Property Owner

You received a notice, easement, or project letter.

Start with the Community Guide

Community Group

You are collecting information and organizing neighbors.

Community Record

Church

You want to help people understand what is happening.

Printable Guide

HOA / Civic Association

You need a structured record and meeting process.

Meeting Helper

Not Sure

Answer a few questions and we'll point you in the right direction.

Start Here Wizard

Notice Decoder

Decode the notice.

Notice Decoder

Paste a sentence from a notice. We'll highlight dates, recognized terms, and what to do next.

From the field

What other neighbors learned.

Anonymised case files — what worked, what didn't, and what to try next time.

All field reports

FAQ

The questions most neighbors arrive with.

If you can answer these in 60 seconds, we've done our job.

Not sure where to start?

A project was announced. What should I do first?

A simple, printable, shareable starter guide. Perfect to send to a neighbor or print for someone who doesn't use email.

Read first stepsSee how it works