Land Use and Environmental Planning

We assist clients in preparing legally defensible environmental impact assessments related to federal, state, and municipal environmental regulations including NEPA, CEQR, SEQR, MEPA, and CEPA.  We recognize that projects are typically time sensitive and GZA can quickly draw upon our in-house resources to seamlessly guide clients through the review process including project planning; hazardous materials remediation; site/civil and geotechnical engineering; wetlands delineation and permitting; and noise and air quality studies to get your project completed as quickly and efficiently as possible. 

Our environmental planning and permitting projects include commercial and residential developments, infrastructure, and transportation projects throughout the country.

We regularly work with our clients’ legal counsel and architects as land use planning consultants to develop solutions and get projects approved. Our expertise in land use planning and management enables us to suggest and evaluate project alternatives and manage applications for municipal zoning and planning boards as well as state, county, and regional authorities for site plan approvals, permits, zoning variances, rezoning requests and special permits.  We also assist clients with state liquor authority and state cannabis license applications.

We conduct a wide range of studies that address issues such as congestion management, alternative analysis, safety, access, and property redevelopment.  GZA works closely with state, county, municipal agencies and local government leaders to research ways to get the most out of city land use, solve traffic problems, survey road users, analyze transportation data, and research solutions to improve transportation efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

Noise-related issues are an ever-growing concern as industrial, commercial, and transportation sources are located near residential and other noise sensitive
areas. Our experts conduct noise monitoring programs to establish ambient background levels at sensitive receptor locations. For example, we determine noise levels from equipment located at industrial and commercial facilities and from transportation systems (roads, highways, rail lines, airports). We also conduct noise modeling impact analyses. Based on the monitoring programs, modeling, and impact assessments, GZA can make recommendations for mitigation alternatives such as barriers, sound insulation or other design modifications to keep impacts to noise sensitive areas below federal, state, and local criteria levels. 

GZA’s background in both technical and planning/land/zoning aspects of these projects gives us a unique perspective to develop effective solutions.

GZA has the experience necessary to plan effective air compliance and permitting strategies all while successfully negotiating with regulatory agencies. Many of the nation’s most significant environmental regulations have been catalyzed by growing concerns about air quality. GZA completes both Title V and New Source Review permit applications, performs air quality impact analyses, and conducts air pollution control technology evaluations to address these concerns. 

We closely monitor state and federal regulatory changes, and use this knowledge, combined with our strong regulatory background, to advise clients on how these changes will impact their business. 

GZA’s scientists, engineers, and analysts develop and use applications and tools to manage, share, and visualize data. GZA utilizes Esri’s industry-leading ArcGIS Platform and ArcGIS Enterprise to provide full integration with desktop, web, and mobile applications for data collection with real-time access and viewing. We employ geospatial data management in concert with our other services. We also assist our clients with using these applications and tools to seamlessly integrate information management into their operations and businesses.

GZA works with natural resource regulators on a daily basis.  Our experience and long-term working relationships benefit our clients' projects by anticipating and solving challenges in environmental land use and planning to gain approvals.  For unavoidable resource impacts, GZA is well versed in the interpretation and implementation of regulations and the creative design of mitigation strategies that have a proven track record of balancing the needs of both clients and regulators, allowing the projects to move forward efficiently and cost-effectively.

We help clients develop local and regional plans for a range of projects including community/downtown plans, updating zoning maps, open space and park developments, corridor improvements, sustainability and resiliency planning, and brownfield redevelopment.

Our staff is experienced in preliminary planning and analysis, alternative design development, definitive roadway design and geometric layout, site utilities design, cost estimating and project financial analyses, environmental permitting, and construction monitoring. From the initial site planning and layout, through the completion of construction, our staff integrates the environmental opportunities and constraints of each site with our client’s needs to optimize the project goals.

We have successfully carried out diverse assignments from small residential subdivisions to large multi-unit housing projects, as well as a range of commercial, institutional, transportation and water resources projects.

We apply a balanced and holistic approach that includes systems thinking, risk-informed decision making, social equity, and benefit-cost analysis. We integrate sustainable and resilient solutions into projects from planning, funding, and stakeholder engagement through geospatial mapping, permitting, design, and construction management. Clients and stakeholders rely on GZA to conduct vulnerability assessments, risk analyses and emergency response plans. We help clients plan, fund, and design for sustainability and resilience at essential services, lifeline facilities, high loss potential facilities, commercial, institutional, and industrial buildings and transportation infrastructure. We also provide municipal natural hazard mitigation and climate adaptation planning.

Our communications team employs different techniques to reach our clients’ diverse target audiences. We utilize websites, social media, email communications, host charettes, and facilitate meetings with regulatory agencies and elected officials. We encourage inclusion of all stakeholders from the onset of a project to enable open and practical discussions about the benefits a project and address any concerns the community, government agencies, and elected officials may have.  

GZA tracks the construction project, documents permit compliance, and provides timely reporting to the project team to support the schedule and budget. At the conclusion of the project, GZA completes agency notifications and provides close-out documentation for our client's records.