City Planning Portfolio

Housing Element

As an assistant planner for the city of Claremont, I was tasked with updating the city’s 2014-2021 Housing Element and getting it approved by the community and City Council. One of the main purposes of this project is to prove to the state that the city has adequate areas to hypothetically build its assigned share of affordable housing. In addition to updating the actual Housing Element document, I oversaw the addendum to the General Plan EIR, amended the Land Use Element and Zoning Map to add a high density overlay at a prospective affordable housing site, and amended the Municipal Code to modify the Institutional Zoning District and definitions for Transitional and Supportive Housing. I am forever grateful for having supervisors who believed in my ability to accomplish this.

Design Review

At the city of Laguna Beach, I have reviewed approximately 200 residential development projects that range from minor interior/exterior projects to brand new homes. The entitlements required for such projects include design review, coastal development permits, variances, and revocable encroachment permits. Factors that make the residential design review process complex include: environmental constraints (i.e., the coast), unique property histories and conditions, the city’s development standards and policies, and the community’s response to a project. Leading applicants to create a design that checks off all of those “boxes” is often a creative challenge and a labor of love.

User-Centered Government

I believe that the issues and struggles expressed by clients and colleagues regarding city government procedures and services illuminate areas where improvement and progress may be achieved. In response to those issues and struggles, I have created flowcharts, tables, and diagrams that aim to clarify city procedures and regulations and offer strategies for saving staff work time and build community trust.