Planning Services

Have a complex planning project that could use some assistance?

Compass Blueprint Planning Services are available, free of charge, to local government jurisdictions. The goal of the program is to promote creative, forward-thinking, and sustainable development solutions that fit local needs and support shared regional values. Services are offered for Demonstration Projects that are expected to result in progressive future development that provide local and regional benefits.

Requests are evaluated, in part, based on the project's ability to provide balanced transportation choice and a mixture of land uses and housing types consistent with the principles of the Compass Blueprint. Projects that are located within downtowns, along transportation corridors and in proximity to significant transit infrastructure will receive additional consideration. Efforts will be made to ensure that project funding will be equitably distributed throughout the region. 

More information and application materials are online here. 

Click here for descriptions of, and products from, past and current Demonstration Projects.

Description of available services

The following are just some of the planning services available from SCAG and the Compass Blueprint consultant team. Demonstration Projects may include services beyond those listed and each can be custom-tailored to local project needs.

Tipping Point Analysis
Infill Analysis and Strategies
Development Code Assistance
Urban Design Solutions
Public Involvement
Photorealistic Visualizations
Video Fly-Through
Economic Development Strategies
Project Website
Web-based Design/Image Visual Preference Survey
Email List Management
Local Government Commission Services

Tipping Point Analysis

Analyze a parcel or set of parcels in a small area to determine the factors that need to be in place in order for redevelopment and infill to be financially feasible from a return-on-investment (ROI) perspective. The analysis will consider such variables as parking requirements, floor area ratios, allowed uses, building setbacks, height limits, household and employment density, as well as basic construction costs and local market conditions to reveal which policies may be hindering redevelopment and allow the testing of alternatives to determine which policies will encourage it.

Download the Tipping Point spreadsheet tool and training materials

Infill Analysis and Strategies

Review recent trends in development and analyze local development code to find obstacles to redevelopment; while working with the community, recommend policies that both eliminate obstacles to redevelopment and infill and create incentives and strategies to encourage it.

Development Code Assistance

Draft language to amend local development code so that it better supports development goals. The service is often provided with the tipping point analysis.

Urban Design Solutions

Generate an urban design strategy, complete with illustrative drawings, land use locations, cross-sections, maps and a set of recommended elements that will increase the pedestrian friendliness of an area and encourage active street life.

Public Involvement

Conduct a public outreach campaign, custom-designed to suit the needs of the local area. A range of tools can be used, depending on the situation. These include creating and mailing newsletters, brochures and project fact sheets, designing and facilitating workshops, charrettes, public meetings and open houses, convening focus groups, conducting opinion polls, creating websites and generating media campaigns.

Photorealistic Visualizations

If you've ever been mesmerized by before-and-after images showing you the possibilities of what could be, you'll understand the power of persuasion behind photorealistic visualizations. This service provides a set of “before” pictures and a set of digitally enhanced, realistic “after” pictures to help residents visualize the result of redevelopment and infill strategies and to make the most of your planning concepts.

>>  See sample visualizations here  <<

Download a presentation on creating your own visualizations, 4.2MB [PDF]

Download a presentation on creating your own aerial visualizations, 2MB [PDF]

Video Fly-Through

Create videos that illustrate an area “before” and “after” by zooming into a map of the area and exploring a community plan in greater detail. Videos created with Google Earth incorporate a plan map into high resolution aerial photographs of the regions, allowing exploration of what’s on the ground now and what could be.

See a sample fly-through here

Economic Development Strategies

Analyze development climate in an area, identify economic opportunities and challenges and work with local policymakers to craft measures that will encourage economic development.

Project Website

Quickly set up a modest project website to provide details, documents, and a public face for a specific planning or development project.

Web-based Design/Image Visual Preference Survey

Set up a web-based design/image preference survey with up to 50 different building and streetscape designs that citizens can review and comment on.

Email List Management

Help agencies distribute and track results from a professionally-designed email newsletter to project constituents. Enable sign-ups for the email newsletter, managing subscriptions and opting out of the newsletter.

Local Government Commission

SCAG's partner agency, the LGC also offers a program of Planning and Design Services, including renewable energy feasibility studies, staff training and other assistance that complements the suite of services offered by SCAG. Click here to visit the Local Government Commission website.