Innovation and Research

We combine research with practical recommendations to create innovative solutions to planning problems. Our achievements include:

• Developing one of the first transfer of development rights (TDR) programs in California to protect sensitive hillside terrain in Claremont.
• Creating an innovative "inclusionary lot" program which helped bring Portola Valley's housing element into compliance with HCD rules.
• Producing California's first slope-density zoning and landslide regulations.
• Crafting unique ordinances for dealing with small, unbuildable, historic subdivision parcels in the steep hillsides of Belmont.
• Creating the nation's first training exercise for local officials on recovery and rebuilding after earthquakes, now adopted by FEMA.
• Researching the application of land use planning in hazardous environments in the U.S. and abroad with grants from FEMA, USGS and the National Science Foundation.
• Receiving the Outstanding Planning and Distinguished Leadership Awards from the Northern Section of the California Chapter of the American Plannning Association.