Comprehensive Plans are all about the future, guiding decision-making so that your community’s vision becomes a reality. Plans are periodically reviewed and updated to reflect technological, social, economic, and political changes that may invalidate certain plans and policies. We bring the expertise communities need to update their plans, along with ideas and best practices from other communities.

Projects that create public support early in the process enjoy smooth review and approval processes. Public outreach should inspire engagement and provide meaningful two-way communication. Public support is created through focused listening, responding to feedback and clear and effective communication with the people that will be affected by the project. We collaborate with clients to identify key stakeholders and the best methods for communicating with them.

Whether a college campus or neighborhood village, a planned resort or a real estate plan, some of our most enjoyable projects are in master planning. Zoning, permitting, options for types of housing and commerce, multi-modal transportation designs, stormwater management systems, utilities and more all need to be considered in tandem. SCJ’s multi-discipline firm includes experts in all these areas who work together to customize an approach with you and your stakeholders to develop your master plan.

Successful subarea planning includes public engagement and results in a detailed road map for future decision making. Whether facilitating the creation of a vision for an undeveloped part of town, or confirming direction for an established community center, our planners are committed to helping you effectively put the pieces together.

Many town centers were originally designed with main streets wide-enough to accommodate the horse drawn log wagons or adjacent railroad. With the proliferation of automobiles, new roads often diverted traffic away from the town center or divided communities in half.

At SCJ we love the history, tradition and ownership that comes with working with communities as they reinvent themselves, often with a vision of economic enhancement, community connectivity, car and pedestrian safety, and adding community amenities. SCJ’s approach to town planning, which provides flexibility in pursuing and leveraging funding, has even received a Governor’s award as an innovative planning model.