Community Planning
ICF International has helped hundreds of cities and other public agencies
design innovative solutions to complex land use, planning, development, and
environmental challenges. Our planning professionals have extensive experience incorporating progressive
planning and design concepts, such as New Urbanism, into projects
ranging from planning studies to comprehensive specific and general plans.
We've assisted clients with a broad range of planning services, including:
- Staffing and consulting with cities, counties, local governments, and
metropolitan planning organizations
- Assisting private sector development communities
- Providing background studies, community outreach, general plan update
preparation
- Developing environmental impact analyses
At ICF, we understand the crucial interrelationship between land use and
transportation planning, as well as the need to balance economic growth with
quality of life. Our expert planners adhere to design principles that encourage vibrant
communities through the creation of sustainable and walkable
living, working, and recreational environments.
To ensure we identify the needs and wants of a community, we create and
implement comprehensive public participation and education programs that
include intensive design charrettes, and ensure close coordination with project
advisory committees. We then combine all of these elements to develop integrated, real-world planning
solutions tailored toward each community's needs and conditions.
ICF Community Planning Services
- Comprehensive plans and updates
- Subarea and functional plans
- General plans and updates
- Specific plans
- Community plans
- Redevelopment master plans
- Land use plans
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Selected Community Planning Clients
- Bureau of Land Management
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Cities of Vista, San Diego, Solana Beach, Brawley, La
Cañada Flintridge, Modesto, and Goleta, California
- Cities of Everett and Bellevue, Washington
- Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro,
North Carolina Metropolitan Planning
Organization
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- Snohomish County, Washington
- Centre City Development Corporation, California
- Southeastern Economic Development Corporation, California
- City of Peekskill, New York
- Puget Sound Regional Council, Washington
- Government of Guam
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Selected Community Planning Projects
General Plan Update and EIR
City of Vista, California
ICF is working with the City of Vista to prepare updated policy documents,
including an environmental baseline study, a General Plan update, and an
environnmental impact report (EIR) for California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) compliance. ICF is addressing priorities such as ensuring long-term
sustainability; introducing mixed-use land uses along aging commercial corridors;
improving pedestrian and bicycle connections; improving community health;
and incorporating open space preservation, urban forestry, and water conservation
measures.
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Master Plan EIR
San Diego River Park, California
ICF completed the Final San Diego River Park Master Plan and EIR. Staff
collaborated with both the economic development and urban design team members
and city staff to establish the implementation method for the future development
of the River Park, including preparing text of the Community Plan and municipal
code amendments. ICF is preparing an EIR for the project that will evaluate
both the project and implementation method on a programmatic level so that
future projects can be tiered from the overall EIR.
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Marshlands Subarea Plan and EIS
City of Everett, Washington
ICF developed the Marshland Subarea Plan and environmental impact statement (EIS). The Subarea Plan provides
a master plan for future restoration, land use, and infrastructure opportunities
for approximately 1,065 acres predominantly located in the city limits. ICF
provided expertise on the integration of Washington state provisions for
growth management, shoreline management, and environmental review requirements;
prepared EIS sections; peer reviewed and managed the EIS; prepared analyses
and recommendations regarding critical areas regulations; and developed elements
of the Subarea Plan, including goals and policies.
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NC54/I-40 Corridor Study
Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning
Organization,
North Carolina
The purpose of this study is to analyze and articulate the problems within
the corridor and to identify transportation and land use strategies for alleviating
and mitigating current and future transportation problems, as well as development
demands. The study will determine transportation needs and identify
recommendations to meet those needs. The study will help establish local,
regional, and statewide public and political support for short-term strategies;
evaluate transportation alternatives and land use scenarios; develop recommendations
that address immediate and intermediate needs; ensure public involvement;
and develop a future multi-modal transportation vision (the Blueprint for
the corridor).
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General Plan Update and Master EIR (MEIR)
City of Modesto, California
ICF assisted the City of Modesto with performing a maintenance update of
its General Plan and preparing a MEIR. The City wanted to update its General
Plan with specific limitations focused on achieving two main goals: 1) to
reflect new laws and regulations through updated or amended policies; and
2) to incorporate appropriate policies from the Strategic Plan, which was
adopted prior to the plan update, while making few changes to the distribution
of future land uses established in the General Plan.
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10-year Comprehensive Plan Update
Kitsap County, Washington
ICF led a multidisciplinary consultant team in the preparation of Kitsap
County's 10-Year Comprehensive Plan Update and EIS. Key issues included urban
area sizing for population and employment, analysis of infill requirements,
and capital facilities to support growth. The update includes revised urban
area boundaries, amended land-use maps, revised goals and policies, a capital
facilities plan, and updated regulations in order to achieve the community's
vision. ICF also supported the county in a public involvement program that
included planning and facilitating public workshops and focus groups, and developing fact sheets,
newsletters, and a dedicated project Web site.
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Housing Toolkit
Puget Sound Regional Council, Washington
ICF prepared content for an on-line housing toolkit to provide local governments
with an accessible and centralized clearinghouse of best housing practices,
housing affordability tools, and other technical assistance resources. ICF
conducted a survey of the needs of participating local governments, and surveyed
and collected a variety of housing resources for local governments. The on-line
toolkit includes a guide to preparing a housing element, a short list and
a comprehensive list of effective housing affordability tools, and reference
links to other affordable housing Web sites.
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Guam Land Use Plan
Government of Guam
ICF supported the Government of Guam in preparing an update to the Guam
Land Use Plan. This work has included extensive public involvement efforts,
communication and inter-agency coordination, and facilitation of stakeholder
interactions. The updated Land Use Plan incorporates a variety of sustainable
transport, smart growth, and climate change strategies.
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