St. Clair County Parcel Viewer

Transcription

1 St. Clair County Parcel Viewer URL: Purpose: To provide the public and county employees quick and easy access to land record information. It is being designed to be a replacement for the old county mapping site located here: Requires Microsoft Silverlight 3: Silverlight is Microsoft's framework for delivery of rich internet applications. It runs as a browser plug-in (similar to Adobe Flash). It is compatible with most major web browsers, including Internet Explorer and Firefox. The Silverlight plug-in can be downloaded here:

2 Overview: The St. Clair County Parcel Viewer web application provides quick and easy viewing access to county Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data related to land management. Examples of such data include land ownership boundaries (i.e. parcels, lots, subdivisions, etc), aerial photography, and non-spatial tabular data (i.e. property owner names, addresses, etc). The Parcel Viewer application provides an interactive map and various tools for performing common web GIS tasks. When the application is first opened, you will see a map of the entire county with municipal boundaries shown (unless you were automatically directed to the application through the County Parcel Search utility; more on this in the Appendix). In the upper-left corner of the screen, there is a set of buttons that provide access to the available tools. This is the main toolbar. From left to right, these buttons open other toolbars and dialogs for Map Navigation, Map Layers, Map Tools, Search, and Help. Each of these buttons will open a new window, which you can drag and place anywhere within your browser screen. Also, if the main toolbar is excessively obstructing your view of the map, you can click the county seal to "hide" the main toolbar. Click the seal again to "unhide" it. Map Navigation Tools:

3 These tools provide various methods for navigating around the map. In order from left to right, they are Zoom In, Zoom Out, Pan, Full Extent, Previous Extent, and Next Extent. Note: Some of the more common navigation functions can often be performed without these tools. For instance, you can zoom in and out using your mousewheel or pan by clicking and dragging on the map (as long as another tool that needs to respond to these actions is not activated). Zoom In: Once activated (highlighted by a red box), you can draw a rectangle on the map by clicking and dragging with the mouse. The map will zoom to the extent of the rectangle you draw. Zoom Out: Once activated, you can draw a rectangle on the map by clicking and dragging with the mouse. The map will zoom out based on the extent of the rectangle you draw (smaller rectangle = map will zoom out more, larger rectangle = map will zoom out less). Pan: Once activated, you can move to a different location on the map by clicking and dragging with the mouse. Full Extent: This tool will zoom the map so the entire county is visible.

4 Previous Extent: The application keeps track of each map extent you view. This button allows you to quickly revisit map areas that you have recently viewed (moving backward in your extent history). Next Extent: This button allows you to move forward in your extent history. Map Layers: This window allows you to choose which data you would like to have displayed on the map. Boxes that are checked indicate that the data is visible on the map. Unchecked boxes are not visible on the map.

5 Map Tools: The Map Tools toolbar contains most of the tools used for performing specialized GIS operations. Starting at the upper left and moving left to right, they are: Bing Maps, Bookmarks, Identify, Map Tips, Measure Area, Magnifier, Measure Length, Zoom to Coordinates, Spatial Selection, and Full Screen. Bing Maps: This tool, when activated, allows you to view any location using Microsoft's Bing Maps service. Simply click on the tool to activate it and then click on the location of the map which you would like to view. A window displaying the Bing Maps service will appear:

6 Bookmarks: While using the Parcel Viewer application, you may find it useful to save views of the map so you can return to them later. The Bookmarks tool allows you to do this. Clicking on the Bookmarks tool will cause a new window to appear: When you are viewing an area you would like to revisit later, simply type a

7 name for the view in the text box on the Bookmarks window and click the + button. Your saved view will be listed below the text box. You can save as many views as you like. Your bookmark list is stored on your computer and is tied to your Windows login profile, so it will be there the next time you use the Parcel Viewer application on the same computer. To revisit a bookmarked map extent, simply click on the desired bookmark in the list. The map will automatically zoom to the bookmarked area. Use the Clear button to clear your bookmark list.

8 Identify: The Identify tool is one of the most powerful tools available in the Parcel Viewer application. It allows you to access more information for any location on the map. To use, simply click on the tool to activate it and then click on the place on the map that you would like to identify. A push pin will appear on the map where you clicked and a new window will appear: By default, the Identify Results will display information associated with the parcel (if any) that you clicked. If available, a photo of the property will also appear. If you wish to view county assessment records for the property, you can click on the View Assessment Data button on the bottom of the Identify Results window. This will open a new window with the information:

9 You can also access other information for the location you clicked by choosing other features in the drop-down box on the Identify Results window:

10 You can access information regarding the municipality, survey section, lot, FEMA flood zone status (see Appendix), emergency services, etc. The items appearing in this list are dependent upon the context of the point you clicked on the map.

11 Map Tips: Once activated, the Map Tips tool allows you to hover your cursor over parcels to quickly access their land ownership information. While hovering over a parcel, a small call-out will appear next to your cursor with the information:

12 Measure Area: This tool allows you to arbitrarily measure area on the map. Once the tool is activated, you can begin drawing a measurement polygon on the map. Each time you click on the map, a new vertex is placed. Measurements (in linear feet for sides and square feet for area) are updated in real-time as you draw the polygon. When you have finished drawing your polygon, double-click on your last vertex and the drawing will lock in place:

13 Magnifier: When you click on the Magnifier tool, a round magnification graphic will appear on the map. Inside the magnifier is a zoomed-in aerial photo representation of the map area beneath it. You can click and drag the magnifier graphic anywhere on the map and it will update the magnified view as you do so.

14 Measure Length: Much like the Measure Area tool, the Measure Length tool allows you to click on the map to draw a line graphic for measurement (in linear feet). Once the tool is activated, click on the map for each vertex you would like to place for your linear measurement. Double-click on your last vertex to finish the drawing.

15 Zoom To Coordinates: If you have a pair of latitude/longitude coordinates you would like to locate, use the Zoom To Coordinates tool. Clicking on the tool opens a new window where you can type the coordinates you wish to locate. Note that the tool currently only accepts coordinates in decimal degree format (X = longitude, Y = latitude). Also, remember that longitude values (X) are NEGATIVE and latitude values (Y) are POSITIVE in the North America. Once you enter your coordinates and click the Find button, the map will automatically zoom to the area and place a push-pin on the location of the coordinates you entered. Be aware that the map data on the Parcel Viewer site only covers St. Clair County, MI, so if you input coordinates that are outside the county, your results won't be very useful.

16 Spatial Selection: The Spatial Selection tool allows you to select one or more parcel features based on spatial location and view data associated with the selected parcel(s). Clicking on the Spatial Selection tool opens a new window: There are three methods for interactively selecting parcels: by point, line, or polygon. In other words, you can select parcels by clicking a single point on the map (parcels that intersect your point will be selected), by sketching a line on the map (parcels intersecting the sketched line will be selected), or by sketching a polygon on the map (parcels intersecting the sketched polygon will be selected). The procedure for sketching lines and polygons for spatial selection is identical to that of the Measure Line and Measure Area tools, respectively. Single-click to place a vertex and double-click to finish your sketch and execute the selection. (The Select By Point method only requires a single-click.) The graphics below illustrate the result of a spatial selection using a polygon:

17 Before double-clicking to finalize the sketch:

18 After double-clicking to finalize the sketch:

19 When you double-click to finalize the sketch, the parcels intersecting your sketch are highlighted in blue and a new window appears with data associated with the selected parcels. You can click on a record in the Search Results window to highlight the associated parcel in the map as shown below:

20 You can also click the Save Results button to save the search results data on your computer. You can save the table in XML or CSV file format, both of which can be easily imported for use in other programs, such as Microsoft Excel: With the Spatial Selection tool, it is also possible to set a search buffer on your selection sketch. In other words, you can use the Spatial Selection tool to ask the question, What parcels are within 300 feet of this line? This is achieved by typing a numeric value (in feet) in the Buffer text box before you draw your sketch:

21 Once you finish your sketch, the application will measure out to the distance you specified from the sketch and select any parcels that intersect the buffered polygon: Sketching:

22 Sketch finished (after double-click): Once you have selected a set of parcels, you can clear your selection by clicking the Clear icon on the Spatial Selection window. There a couple of limitations you should be aware of when using the Spatial Selection tool: 1. You cannot select more than 500 parcels at a time. This is for performance reasons. If a sketch you draw will result in more than 500 parcels being selected, you will receive a warning that not all

23 parcels within your selection sketch area will be selected. 2. When using the Select by Polygon selection method, try to draw your polygons in a clockwise direction. Drawing polygons in a counter-clockwise direction (especially when applying a Buffer) can produce unintended results and may not select any parcels at all when you complete your sketch. Print: Clicking this icon will generate a PDF map of the area currently being viewed in the application.

24 Search: The Search tool allows for quick access to information by searching the County GIS using a variety of parameters. Clicking the Search icon on the main toolbar will cause a new window to appear: The Search window has four tabs: Parcel ID, Address, Owner Name, and Custom. Each of these tabs allows users to search the GIS data differently. Parcel ID Search: This tab allows for the location of a parcel based on parcel ID. Note that the application currently expects parcel ID's to be entered with the following format: 74-XX-XXX-XXXX-XXX Failure to use hyphens will cause the search to fail. Once done typing the parcel ID, click the Search button. The Search Results window will appear with all records that satisfy the search criteria:

25 In the Search Results window, click on a record to have the map zoom to the parcel. The parcel associated with the clicked record will be highlighted in red. Highlight graphics can be cleared by clicking the Clear Graphics button on the Search window. Note: All of the searches present results in this way.

26 Address Search: The Address search tab allows for searching of parcels based on address: Owner Name Search: The Owner Name search tab allows for searching parcels based on owner names. Note that parcel ownership records are stored last name first, so search criteria should be framed accordingly. Knowing the full name is not necessary. Often, searching on just the last name will suffice.

27 Custom Search: The Custom Search tab allows for the construction of search parameters for any layer of features in the map:

28 Help: The Help icon on the main toolbar provides access to a Frequently Asked Questions listing that can help with some common problems while using the Parcel Viewer application.

29 Appendix Using the Identify tool to determine FEMA Flood Zone status: The Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) has recently updated the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) maps for all communities in St. Clair County. These maps are used to determine rate classification for flood insurance. The new maps became effective on May 3, Reportedly, if insurance is purchased and not required; a rebate may be available for the period of one year. In order to use the Parcel Viewer application to determine your properties status within the new SFHA maps, the Identify tool can be used: First, locate the parcel you are interested in by using the tools described in the manual (i.e. the Search tools or pan/zoom).

30 Then, click on the Map Tools icon on the main tool bar: A new window will appear:

31 Click on the Identify tool to activate it. It will be highlighted in a red box when activated: Next, click anywhere in the parcel of interest. A new window will appear:

32 This is the Identify Results window. In the drop-down box on the Identify Results window, click on the entry for (FEMA FastFacts) : After selecting this option, the Identify Results window displays SFHA-related information, including whether or not the community is participating in the program and pending flood insurance status for the location you clicked: Note that the status can change depending on where on the parcel you clicked. SFHA boundaries do not follow parcel boundaries. It is recommended that you use the Identify tool in this manner to check the corners of buildings for their SFHA status. To get more information on the FEMA map updates, you can click on the More Info button on the Identify Results window or visit

33 Using Parcel Viewer with the County Parcel Search tool: The St. Clair County Parcel Search utility provides convenient access to a wealth of land ownership and assessment information. The Parcel Viewer mapping site has been integrated with the Parcel Search. To access Parcel Search, go to the County's main web page: Click the Parcel Search link on the left side of the screen. This takes you to the search page. Enter the desired search criteria:

34 Click the Search Parcels button. A list of match candidateswill appear:

35 Click the link for the desired result record. A Property Record will appear for the parcel.

36 Click the Map this Parcel button to view the parcel on a map using Parcel Viewer. Parcel Viewer will automatically open and will be zoomed to the parcel (which is highlighted in red).

37 Manual Last Updated: 5/18/2010