All posts by Michael Lauer

The City of Durango, Colorado retained MLP to update its Comprehensive Plan, which will incorporate the City’s recent character district, affordable housing, sustainability and mobility initiatives. The update also is needed to resolve significant growth and utility extension issues created by the development of Lake Nighthorse Reservoir and the proposed dedication of a planned growth area (Ewing Mesa) for community recreation, culture and open space purposes.  Creative Community Builders joins the team to develop an arts and culture element that will define the City’s relationship with its arts community and identify cultural resources for protection and enhancement.

MLP recently kicked off the development of a strategic plan to enhance Jefferson Parish’s existing housing stock and facilitate development of new housing to meet existing and future needs. With the assistance of Asukura Robinson, Michael Lauer has prepared a survey neighborhood and housing stock enhancement tools, is conducting several case studies about the use of those tools and will help JEDCO prioritize public and private initiatives that will sustain existing residents and attract new residents to the Parish.

The City is processing several large-scale developments in the Front Beach Road corridor that are subject to the recently adopted form-based code, which was drafted to provide better linkages between the public and private realms in this vital tourist corridor. The code establishes site and building design standards to ensure that development is coordinated with transit, pedestrian and bicycle enhancements. Michael Lauer, who drafted the form-based code with support from Kevin Klinkenberg, Mark White and Ginger Corless, worked with City staff and attorneys to incorporate the form-based provisions in a unified land development code (LDC) and continues to prove support for code maintenance and site plan reviews.

The Town Council unanimously adopted revisions to its CLRP on March 8, 2016. The updated Plan refines existing goals and policies, update socio-economic trends and projections, and create a new plan implementation program. With the recent adoption of a new unified development ordinance (UDO) and neighborhood plans for the Downtown and West Southern Pines, the Town has fully implemented its existing plan and is seeking a new work program that continues to support its vibrant historic Downtown and neighborhoods while improving mobility options. Michael Lauer has served as project manager for each of these projects and provides continuing support to maintain the Town’s UDO.

Michael Lauer Planning continues to help our clients develop comprehensive, neighborhood, corridor and strategic plans; meaningfully engage stakeholders in shaping their futures; draft zoning, subdivision, design or form-based regulations; and pursue other strategies to take your community from vision to reality.

I believe that great outcomes result from the constructive collaboration that has fostered my long-term client relationships. By listening to your needs and ensuring that stakeholders understand the implications of their options, we can build support for actions that create vibrant neighborhoods and communities that thrive through economic ups and downs, respect valued resources, and promote positive change.

After several years of input from the community, Planning Commission and City staff, Lynchburg’s City Council adopted of a new zoning ordinance that simplifies development procedures, provides the flexibility required to promote mixed-use and infill development, and better supports the goals of the City’s recently revised Comprehensive Plan. The zoning ordinance enables the City to accommodate projected growth in ways that improve the quality of life in all of its neighborhoods. The new ordinance was drafted by Michael Lauer with support from Mike Chandler and extensive involvement of the City’s Community Development, Legal and Planning Staff.