Urban Planning and Design Portfolio

I have over 10 years of experience in urban planning and design, serving in both the public and private sector. My urban planning experience has provided me important skills and insight concerning platting, site planning, zoning review, transportation planning, urban planning, marketing analysis and community outreach.

Urban Planning Project Management:

My responsibilities in urban planning project management was often specific to each project. However, the projects noted below generally involved the following:

• Project committee organization/community outreach with City management and elected officials

• Public meeting coordination, public outreach and presentation preparation

• Study area research (demographic, land use and economic analysis)

• Community survey and outreach (luncheon presentations, project open houses, computer and on-site polling/questionnaires)

• Project draft development with City staff and management

• Finalization of study with public meetings, City boards and/or commissions

• City Plan Commission and City Council action on final study/area plan

The following represent some of the urban planning and design project I have participated in as project manager or project team member.

Project Summary: 

I served as Project Manager for this study.

The Garland Road Vision study was created for the enhancement of both operational function and aesthetic character along the Garland Road corridor. This project is a community - led area planning initiative, following the neighborhood planning framework defined in the "forwardDallas!" Comprehensive Plan. As one of the initiatives approved by City Council as the model for future growth of the City of Dallas. The vision study was initiated and funded through a sustainable development grant from the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) Regional Transportation Council (RTC), and local matching funds raised by the GRV Advisory Committee.

Strategic Opportunity Vision Area plans were developed for four sites along the Garland Road corridor intended to indicate in more detail, the types of development desired in the future Garland Road corridor. The recommendations for implementation in the Garland Road Corridor are divided into two primary types: corridor-wide and specific area studies. They are separated to provide a clear map for residents, business owners and community leaders regarding future actions necessary to achieve the defined overall vision.

(Summary Content Source: City of Dallas)

Project Summary: 

I served as Project Manager for this study.

This plan was developed through a partnership of the Lake Highlands Area Improvement Association, City of Dallas and the NCTCOG's Sustainability Development Program. The intent of the Sustainability Development Program is to reduce auto emissions and support sustainable growth in the North Central Texas region.  

The purpose of this study is to identify redevelopment and new transit oriented development opportunities to provide sustainable living, positive economic growth, cultural opportunities and increased safety throughout this strategic focus area as identified in the City of Dallas' Comprehensive plan, forward Dallas!  The study concentrates on land use and circulation patterns, multi-family densities and transit orientated development opportunities related to the LBJ / Skillman, DART LRT Station. (Summary Content Source: City of Dallas)

Project Summary: 

I served as Project Manager for this study.

2-Points to White Rock East Area Plan is a totally grassroots, neighbor-driven and directed plan.  It was conceived under the auspices of the Ferguson Road Initiative and the Truett Crime Watch. Residents felt that part of White Rock Hills in far east Dallas, was experiencing relative neglect and high crime.  This and the changing demographics for this area which reflects greater cultural, ethnic, and age diversity, were the impetus for the plan.  Residents wanted to guide change in their tree-canopied neighborhoods where young families can grow and older citizens can age in place.

The Implementation section is intended to serve as one of the City's guides, it will aid in making improvements in this part of Dallas. Many measures do not require direct action or initiation by the City, only responsiveness and support.  Others will require direct participation by City departments as well as elected and appointed officials.  Some of the measures are very tangible, envisioning simple, changes to signalization or traffic control.  Others seek to better coordinate community wishes into planning, budgeting, code enforcement, and public safety.  Finally, others are very aspirational, pursuing long-term desires for the community. 

(Summary Content Source: City of Dallas)

Project Summary: 

I served as Project Manager for this Study, as well as a Project Team manager concerning the overall HUD Community Challenge Planning Grant study.

The intent of the Area Plans and related activities through the HUD Community Challenge Planning Grant program is to spur transformation of Dallas DART station areas through catalytic projects, public-private partnerships, and reuse and rehabilitation of existing buildings. Each Plan outlines an approach to stimulating and guiding redevelopment activities. Primary aspects of this approach involve identification of strategic opportunities, catalyst development sites, character and design guidelines, and implementation actions.

The Vickery Meadow Station Area Plan details specific initiatives to create a better future for the Vickery Meadow area, with attention to reinvigorating housing, addressing land use density, and improving modal connectivity and pedestrian access. The site and development program are expected to create the greatest level of positive change in Vickery Meadow. The plan outlines a development action plan, adaptive re-use action plan and adaptive ruse guidelines. Area-wide strategies are designed to stimulate development and redevelopment activity across the broader Vickery Meadow area. Key strategies related to financing, education, zoning, and transportation will help advance the strategic opportunities outlined in this plan.

(Summary Content Source: City of Dallas)

Project Summary: 

I served as Project Manager initially, then Project Team member for this study.  

The UNT-Dallas Area Plan establishes a future development vision and strategies for implementation. The University of Texas at Dallas campus area was one of the top priority areas identified in the forwardDallas comprehensive plan for further study.  The UNT-Dallas campus  is the first state university to be established completely within Dallas city limits.  The UNT-Dallas Area Plan has a dual purpose and is consequently organized in two components: The Vision and Policy Plan and the Implementation Program. 

(Summary Content Source: City of Dallas)

Project Summary

forwardDallas! is a first-of-a-kind city-led, citywide comprehensive plan. Driven by direct citizen involvement, forwardDallas! envisions what kind of city within which Dallas residents want to live and do business. On June 14, 2006, City Council adopted the forwardDallas! Comprehensive Plan.

(Summary Content Source: City of Dallas)

Project Summary

I served as Project Manager for this study.

Bachman Lake/West NW Highway Needs Assessment Study reviewed and identified opportunities to improve the quality of development within this important area in Northwest Dallas.  By assessing past City plans within the Bachman Lake/ West NW Highway area, the goal was to identify if the past planning efforts were implemented, what aspects of the past studies needed to be updated or removed as community priorities. Key recommendations: 

The study identified the desire to establish a local community prosecutor office to help address area crime and code enforcement issues.

Review local liquor licensing within the City of Dallas associated with Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) enforcement of TABC statutes and regulations.

Address continued community concerns about a lack of area code enforcement by the City of Dallas through having additional Code Compliance staff within the study area.

Seek stronger implementation of the City’s 1999 Northwest Highway Urban Design Study recommendations, including the complete funding and construction of a pedestrial-friendly bridge from Bachman Lake Park across Northwest Highway to the neighborhoods located north of Bachman Lake.