Utah Transit Authority (UTA) Station Area Planning Consulting Services Pool (2022), Greater Salt Lake City and Wasatch Front Area, UT

Together with VODA Landscape + Planning, I was selected for UTA’s consulting services pool to provide station area planning and zoning analysis services for local jurisdictions along the Wasatch Front (Salt Lake, Utah, and Davis Counties). UTA’s procurement of a pool of consultants is designed to assist municipalities with land use planning and development regulations around light rail, commuter rail, and bus rapid transit (BRT) stations, in compliance with Utah House Bill 462 (2022). This new law requires local governments to plan for housing around fixed line transit stations and aligns state transportation funding with local land use planning.

City of Lakewood, CA. Housing Element Update (6th Cycle).

Working with City staff and consultant team to prepare a comprehensive update to the Lakewood Housing Element. Responsible for revising multiple sections of the Housing Element, ensuring consistency with new State housing legislation adopted between 2017 and 2019, and analyzing potential strategies for the City to facilitate housing development for all income levels to meet its Regional Housing Needs Allocation of 3,922 new units.

City of Milpitas, CA. Zoning Ordinance Updates.

Prepared a series of updates to the City’s zoning ordinance, including (1) rewriting regulations for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) that were specific to the context of residential neighborhoods in Milpitas as well as consistent with state legal requirements. (2) drafted new regulations for mobile food vending (food trucks). (3) prepared zoning amendments to allow reduced parking requirements for certain commercial uses based on transportation demand management (TDM) measures, shared parking agreements, and proximity to public transit.

City of Lodi, CA. Housing Policy and Planning.

Assisted the City with a variety of housing-related projects, including preparation of the 2019 Housing Element Annual Progress Report to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), strategy for implementation of the 2014-2023 Housing Element, and preparation for the 6th cycle Housing Element update.

City of Elk Grove, CA. General Plan Update.

Worked with City staff and consultant team to prepare a comprehensive general plan update encompassing several important community priorities, including accommodating growth through infill and outward expansion strategies, ensuring preservation of the rural area, encouraging active multimodal transportation, promoting economic vitality, responding to regional policy influences, and promoting a healthy and sustainable community.

City of Elk Grove, CA. Zoning Update.

Prepared focused amendments to the City’s zoning code and related sections of the municipal code for consistency with the City’s updated general plan. Amendments include the creation of four new base zoning districts (mixed-use and light industrial/flex zones) and three new overlay districts; focused revisions to allowed uses in commercial zones, and creation of a new permit procedure for projects proposing clustered development.

County of Mariposa, CA. General Plan Implementation Strategy.

Developed a detailed strategic work plan to guide actions to implement the County’s General Plan. The work plan established a framework for how future implementation tasks will be prioritized and executed. It presented specific work tasks in recommended order of priority over a five-year timeframe, and included detailed information related to estimated cost, suggested level of community engagement, and expected pathway for CEQA compliance.

County of Mono, CA. Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) Readiness Policy.

Created a new policy framework for encouraging the provision of facilities and infrastructure for electric vehicle (EV) charging and alternative, zero-carbon fueling along major highways in the county. The policy addressed standards for location and siting of these facilities, regulatory requirements, economic incentives, and technical assistance for property owners. It also focused on tying in EV charging with promoting economic development in small towns by encouraging visitors to support nearby businesses while charging their vehicles.

Town of Moraga, CA. Moraga Center Specific Plan Implementation Project.

Project Manager for an effort to develop and adopt new form-based zoning to implement an approved specific plan for the town center area.  Worked with consultant to develop and refine draft zoning regulations, and coordinated Steering Committee comprised of members of Town’s boards and commissions.

City of Oakland, CA. West Oakland Specific Plan.

Worked with City staff and consultant team to create economic development strategies and land use and transportation policies.  Led project team’s effort to develop a social equity framework as part of the planning process, including strategies to maintain housing affordability and link new economic benefits to existing neighborhood residents.

City of Oakland, CA. Plan Bay Area Regional Planning Process.

Coordinated the City of Oakland Planning Department’s participation in the Plan Bay Area regional planning process led by the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), aimed at reducing regional greenhouse gas emissions through coordination of land use policy, housing, jobs and transportation.  Assisted with designation of eight “Priority Development Areas” in Oakland.

City of Oakland, CA. Energy and Climate Action Plan.

Participated in interagency working group to prepare the City’s first Energy and Climate Action Plan, which was adopted in 2012. Advised City staff on land use policies and actions to reduce greenhouse gases and achieve citywide emissions reduction targets.

City of Oakland, CA. International Boulevard Transit-Oriented Development Plan.

Worked with City staff and consultant to develop design concepts and land use and transportation policies.  Coordinated the inter-agency Technical Advisory Committee. Developed content for community workshops; facilitated discussion groups at workshops in English and Spanish.

City of Vancouver, BC, Canada. Social Development Strategy.

Researched plans and strategies from Canadian municipalities related to social issues. Wrote discussion paper in consultation with Social Planning staff that evolved into draft of citywide Social Development Strategy.