PRMD ActiveMap Application Help

Table of Contents

• The ActiveMap Web Page
• Working with & Moving Around the Web Page
• Using the Main Toolbar
• Search Results Panel
• Map Legend Panel
• Parcel Report Panel
• Buffer Menu Panel
• Layer Description Panel

The ActiveMap Web Page

The following diagram shows the ActiveMap application as it appears when first launched (e.g. default map, Base):

To get more detailed help, click on section headings below:

Main Toolbar - Location of tools and functions that will assist in navigating around the map, ask questions of it, and otherwise interact with the information as well as resources to help guide in the use of the tools and functions.

• Tools- Consists of the following tools: Zoom In, Zoom Out, Full Extent, Zoom Last, Zoom Next, Pan, Measure, Overview Map and Print Map.
• Map Selector - Currently ActiveMap has three maps to choose between: Base, Zoning & General Plan. Use the selector to change between maps and have the map displayed in the Map Display Area.
• Map Scale - Allows you to choose a map scale either to invoke function capability (e.g. Property Report) or to simply control the map display area by selecting the desired distance on a map proportional to the distance on the ground. For example, 1" = 100' means 1 inch on the map is equal to 100 feet on the ground. In the example, the proportion between distance on the map and on the ground is expressed as a scale.
• Searches - Allows you to perform searches on data found in the current map selected using Map Selector.
• Help - Contains links to a Quick Start Tutorial, expanded Help documentation and FAQ's (frequently asked questions).
• Resources - Contains links to the Permit & Resource Management Department, County of Sonoma Internet Homepage, & Contact Us (to send Webmaster inquiries).
• Map Display Area - Area where the map chosen by the Map Selector is displayed and shows map layers as set within the Map Legend.

Panel Area - Location of panels involved with listing data search results, layer display control, parcel information display, etc.

• Search Results - Area where performed data search results are displayed.
• Map Legend - Lists all the currently available map layers for the map chosen using Map Selector. The layer list will differ depending on which map you are viewing and at what scale.
• Parcel Report - Generate, display and print a property report. To print a property report, your browser's pop-up blocker must be turned off.
• Buffer Menu - Generate, display and export a buffer report file (CSV) around a selected parcel.
• Layer Description - Area which displays information about all the layers found in each of the maps. To note, regardless of which map is being viewed, all layer information is available to review.

Working with & Moving Around the Web Page

• Map Selector
• Expanding & Collapsing Panels
• Panel Collapse/Expand/Resize
• Resizing Elements
• Closing Windows
• Working Icons

Map Selector

ActiveMap currently has three maps to choose between: Base, Zoning and General Plan. To change the current map, select an alternate map under Choose a Map: drop down list. Changing the map will clear all selections from the map as well as reports and results, re-set the map legend with layers corresponding to the map chosen and collapse the panels.

Expanding & Collapsing Panels

You can expand and collapse panels found in the panel area. By default, some of the sections are either collapsed or expanded when the map initially loads or choosing amongst the maps. If the panel is not viewable, scroll down the panel area using the Panel Resizer-Slider Bar.

Expand and collapse panels as needed. Click on the down arrow to expand the section.

Click on the up arrow to collapse the section.

Panel Collapse/Expand/Resize

The panel area of the application can be collapsed or expanded by toggling the arrow found on the Panel Resizer-Slider Bar. The bar provides the ability to allow for more Map Display area if needed.

Toggle Panel On

Toggle Panel Off (Map Only)

The panel area of the application can also be narrowed or widened by clicking and dragging the Panel Resizer-Slider Bar back and forth from left to right. This will resize the Map Display Area as well as the Panel Area.

Resizing Elements

Some element windows, such as Overview Map and the Map Display can be resized to show more or less area. To resize, move the mouse over the right or bottom edge of the element window until you see the cursor change to a double arrow, hold the mouse down and drag the window edge.

Closing Windows

Windows which display a close button such as when using the Overview Map or a Searches menu item can be closed when they are no longer needed by clicking the close button .

Working Icons

During a search, generating a parcel report or printing a map, an animated icon will be displayed to indicate the request is being processed and the search results, report or map will be appear momentarily. Please be patient while request is being processed.

When the Map Display Area is being refreshed, an animated banner may momentarily display to indicate a new map is being generated. Please be patient while map is being generated.

Using the Main Toolbar

Tools

The toolbar allows you to interact with the map by selecting a tool and clicking on the map. For example, the Zoom In tool allows you to zoom to an area of interest and locate information.

To Use a Tool

• In the toolbar, click on the tool you want to use.
  Note: Some tools do not require you to click on the map. These tools include the Full-Extent, Zoom Last, Zoom Next, Overview Map and the Print Map.
• Move the cursor over the map. The cursor may change to indicate the tool you are using.
• Click on the map with the left mouse button.
  Note: Some tools work by holding down the mouse and dragging the cursor to draw a rectangle, line or polygon, and then releasing the mouse button. Whereas, other tools require just a single mouse click.
• The results depend on the tool. The map appearance may change, such as when Zoom In or Zoom Out is initiated. Or the results may appear in the Results section, such as with any of the Searches menu options.

Summary of Tools

Here is a list of available tools within the ActiveMap application:

Name	Icon	Description
Zoom In		Click and drag a rectangle: Click and hold the left mouse button down on the map at one corner of the rectangle to zoom in to. Drag the mouse to the other corner of the rectangle, and release the mouse button. The map will zoom in to the area of the rectangle. The smaller the rectangle you draw, the closer the area of interest will be be displayed.
Zoom Out		Click and drag a rectangle: The map will zoom out so that the current map area will fit into the rectangle drawn. The smaller the rectangle you draw, the more the map will zoom out.
Full Extent		Full extent: Immediately zooms the map out to display at full County view. Note: The active tool does not change.
Zoom Last		Return to previous extent: [similar to the browser's Back button] Selected once, immediately returns the map to the previous zoom level or selected consecutively, zooms to previous zoom levels.
Zoom Next		Return to extent prior to selecting Zoom Last: [similar to the browser's Forward button] Selected once, immediately returns the map to the previous zoom level after selecting the Zoom Last tool. This in only available after the Zoom Last button has been selected. When tool is selected consecutively, zooms to previous zoom levels.
Pan		Click and drag the map: Click and hold the left mouse button on the map, and drag the map. The map will be re-centered, with the location dragged at the location you dropped it.
Measure		Measure distance or area: See Measure Tool for usage.
Overview Map		Toggles the inset map in the upper-left of the Map Display Area.
Print Map		Print Map: Click to print a copy of the map currently being viewed the Map Display Area. The map components include the map, legend, scale

Print Map

The ActiveMap application provides the ability to print a letter size (8½ in × 11 in) map.

Note: If you have a buffer or a parcel selected, the selection colors will not be displayed in the printed map.

Printing a Map and/or Adding Map To a Document

Once a search has been performed either by Address or Assessor Parcel Number (APN) and the parcel or area of interest in within the Map Display Area, complete the following steps to print and/or save a map:

• Turn on and off any layers you want to display on the map using the Map Legend Panel. Toggle layers on or off by clicking on the checkbox next to the layer symbology.
• In the Main Toolbar, click on the Print Map tool .



• To print, choose toolbar File - Print. A print window will appear allowing you to send the map to your selected printer.
  
  To save a map, choose toolbar File - Save As. When saving the map locally, the saved document will display as:
  
  
  
  With every subsequent map saved, this map will be overwritten unless the map file name is renamed. Therefore, with every map saved, ensure to rename the htm and be sure to include the file extension .htm.
  
  Further, with every map saved, there will be an associated folder consisting of several files which will display as:
  
  
  
  In the renaming of the .htm, the associated folder will also have to be renamed exactly the same.
  
  Within the additional file folder, there are several files which will display as:
  
  
  
  The PNG file contains the map display area image and can be inserted into a document as a picture. To note, all of these additional files can be added as well.
  
  

  Note:
  
  a) If you have a buffer or a parcel selected, the selection colors and buffer will not be displayed in the printed map.
  
  b) Within the ActiveMap application you are allowed to search by address, but address & owner information will not be displayed or reported back to the screen. This is because of California Gov. Code 6254.21 which states the following:

  "No state or local agency shall post the home address or telephone number of any elected or appointed official on the Internet without first obtaining the written permission of that individual."

  To obtain owner information in regards to a specific property, please contact or visit the Sonoma County Assessor's Office.

Searches

Searches allow the user to perform searches specific to the map chosen using Map Selector. For example, there is the ability to search by Parcel Number or Address in all maps, but some maps such as the General Plan map allows the user to search by Land Use Designation as well. While switching amongst the different maps, the Searches option list will refresh to display the searches which will work with the current map.

• Available Searches
• Performing a Search

Available Searches

The search option that are available will depend on which map you have chosen to view. Here is a list of all available searches options within the ActiveMap application:

Search Results Panel

The Search Results Panel displays information as a result of selecting and processing a search option. The results are displayed in a table grid format.

Opening the Search Results Panel

• The results panel expands automatically after using the Search and Buffer Menus.
• You can use the horizontal & vertical scrolls or the Panel Resizer-Slider Bar to display additional information within the table.

  

Working with Features within the Search Results Panel

You can Select all, Unselect all, Zoom to all and Clear by simply selecting the links found at the top of the Search Results grid table. The number of records returned from the search will also be displayed.

• Select All will select all the features found within the result set.
• Unselect All will unselect all the features found within the result set.
• Zoom to All will zoom to all of the results found in the result set
• Clear will delete all of the results found in the result set
• Records returned (#) will show the number of records returned by the search. If there are more than one record returned, page through the records five at a time. Based upon the selected and processed search option, a maximum of 500 records will be returned.

  

Sorting Results

Results can be sorted by clicking on the individual column name. Once clicked, an up or down arrow will appear indicating whether the sort is ascending or descending order.

Ascending Order

Descending Order

Working with Individual Features within the Results Panel

In order to select individual records from the results and display them on the map, first select the corresponding checkbox for the record you want to display and then select the Zoom To button .

Map Legend Panel

Each map contains several map layers. A map layer is a type of data shown on the map, such as roads, parcels or city limits. The Map Legend Panel allows you to view the list of the contents of the map, turn layers on and off, and examine the display symbols (color, size, and/or style) for layers.

Examining the Map Contents

Note: When you change amongst the maps, different layers will be either added or removed from the Map Legend.

• In the panel area, the map contents is displayed. If necessary, click on the Map Legend expand button to expand the panel.
• Control layer visibility - turning layers on and off.

  Note: There are layers in the map legend content that are scale dependent. This means that as you zoom in or out within the Map Display Area, various layers will either be available or not available for viewing due to a set scale display threshold. By setting scale dependent layers, it helps keep the map display clean and focused on relevant data.
  
  For example, when the Map Display Area is at full County view or as you zoom out past a certain point, the parcel and photo layers will turn off (no longer viewable) nor appear listed in the Map Legend. However, the opposite also holds true. As you zoom in (e.g. 1" = 1,000 Ft.) within the Map Display Area and reach a display scale threshold, the parcels and photo layers will become available within the Map Legend and you can again turn them on or off as needed. Keep in mind that some scale dependent layers automatically turn on when zooming in past a certain point while other layers become available in the Map Legend content yet are turned off.

  • When Map Legend opens, only the top-level content items are visible.

    

• If layers have a plus button next to the name, you can expand the layer to display a legend and the symbol used for the layer.

  

• The check-box next to the layer indicates whether the layer is currently turned on. You can click the check-box next to the layer name to turn the layer on or off. The map automatically redraws to reflect the changes in layer visibility.

  Note: Not all the layers listed in the Map Legend will be automatically displayed on the map of choice. A layer is only displayed if the checkbox next to it is checked. In this example, Streets and City Spheres of Influence are displayed on the map whereas City Urban Growth is available, but not currently displayed on the map.

  

Parcel Report Panel

The Parcel Report Panel provides a detailed report about an individual parcel. The report is generated below the Parcel Report toolbar found within the Parcel Report Panel.

Parcel Report Toolbar

In the panel area, click on the Parcel Report expand button to expand the panel.

Note: If the Parcel Report Panel is not viewable, scroll down the panel area using the Panel Resizer-Slider Bar.

Name	Icon	Description
Select Parcel		Click on the parcel for which the parcel report will apply.
Print Report		Prints the current parcel report.
Clear Report		Clears the current parcel report as well as selected parcel.

Creating a Parcel Report

• To create a Parcel Report, the parcel layer must be made visible. To make parcels visible, either use the Zoom In tool, select 1" = 1,000 Ft. under Choose a Map Scale (located on the toolbar) or use the Search Menu Panel to find a parcel.
• Click the Select Property tool and left-mouse click on the parcel for which the property report will apply.
• The map will zoom to the selected parcel and Parcel Report Panel will expand to display the following:

  
  Note: If you have a parcel selected, the selection color will not be displayed in the printed map.

Printing a Parcel Report

• To print the report, click on the Print Report tool .
• The Parcel Report will appear in a separate window. The print dialog will also appear.
• Select your preferred printer and print the report (File > Print).

  

Clearing a Property Report

• To clear a property report from the Property Report Panel as well as the map, click on the Clear Report button .

  

Buffer Menu Panel

The Buffer Menu Panel creates a visual buffer around a single parcel and within the Search Results Panel, displays the parcels that are within the buffer distance specified. In addition, a comma-separated values file (CSV) is automatically generated which contains information for all parcels that are located within the buffer distance specified.

Creating a Buffer

• Click on the Buffer Menu expand button to expand the panel.

  Note: If the Buffer Menu Panel is not viewable, scroll down the panel area using the Panel Resizer-Slider Bar.

  

  Name	Icon	Description
  Buffer Distance		Drop-down selection for buffer distance.
  Buffer Parcel		Click on the parcel for which the buffer will apply.
  Clear Buffer		Clears the current buffer as well as selected parcel.

  
  
• To create a buffer, the parcel layer must be made visible. To make parcels visible, either use the Zoom In tool, select 1" = 1,000 Ft. under Choose a Map Scale (located on the toolbar) or use the Search Menu Panel to find a parcel.
• Although the buffer default value is 100 Feet, simply select an alternate buffer distance from the drop down list.
• Click the Buffer Parcel button and click on the parcel of interest.
• As a result, the map will zoom to the full extent of the buffer.

  
  Note: If you have a buffer or a parcel selected, the selection colors will not be displayed in the printed map.

• The Search Results Panel will expand to display information for all parcels that are located within the buffer distance specified.

  

• A comma-delimited file (CSV) will also be generated. To view or save the file, click on the Buffer Results CSV File link found within the Buffer Menu Panel.

  

Viewing & Printing a CSV File

The CSV file will contain an export of the Search Results created from the buffer.

• Click on the Buffer Results CSV File link in the Buffer Menu Panel.
• A File Download window will appear. You will be prompted to Open to view the file or Save the file.

  

• When the file is opened, detailed parcel information is provided. The file can be opened using the MS Excel application or a text editor such as WORD, WordPerfect, Notepad or WordPad.
  Note: Please disregard OBJECTID, IS_SELECTED and Shape fields. These are automatically created by the application when the file is created.

  
  
  When open, and if the file has yet to be saved, the file can be saved by choosing toolbar File - Save As.
  

Clearing a Buffer

To clear a buffer from the map display area, Search Results panel and CSV File, click on the Clear Buffer button .

Layer Description Panel

The layer information panel allows the user to access additional information about the layers used within the ActiveMap application. Information such as Last Updated Date, Summary of the Data Layer, etc. can be reviewed as well as additional links for further detailed information and availability of the data.

Viewing Layer Information

• Click on the Layer Information expand button to expand the panel.

  Note: If the Layer Description panel is not viewable, scroll down the panel area using the Panel Resizer-Slider Bar.

  

• From the list, select a layer of interest.

  Note: Layer Description Panel displays one layer of information at a time.

  

• The selected layer's descriptive information will be displayed.

  

• Layer descriptive information shall include:
  • Layer Description - Brief summary of what the layer represents.
  • Last Update - The last date that the layer was updated (currentness of data).
  • Link to Supportive Material (where applicable) - Links to relevant resources such as regulations, standards and other supportive data.
  • Link to Layer Download (where applicable) - Should the data be available for download, a link will be provided to redirect you to the appropriate website.
  • Link to Expanded Layer Data Detail Report - Additional information which expands on Layer Description summary.
  • Link to Layer Feature Report (where applicable) - Should the data be available to view in a report format, a link will be provided. Simply select the link and the report in PDF format will open to view.
  • Layer Viewable In Map - The list of maps (Base/Zoning/General Plan) and layer group heading which display the layer.