Focused Research, Analysis, and Legislative Support
We undertake a wide range of special studies related to planning, environment, and development. In addition, we also help state associations and lobbyists develop background information and policy on issues pending before the legislature or administration. We have broad research and analytic skills that we have applied to a wide range of challenging, difficult topics. We help our clients clearly define their needs and objectives, prepare a scope of work to fully address those needs and objectives, conduct research, analyze the data, and prepare clear conclusions and recommendations. Our research results are presented in a clear and concise report that maximizes the use of graphics and illustrations. We provide research and policy advice in the following areas:
Land Use
- Residential Development
- Commercial Development
- Industrial Development
- Open Space
- Timberland
- Agriculture
- Recreation
- Coastal Land Use
- Public Buildings and Grounds
Housing
- Housing Needs
- Housing Stock
- Availability of Land and Services for Residential Development
- Constraints on the Production of Housing
Transportation
- Street and Road Systems
- Parking
- Transit Service
- Rail Service
- Air Transportation
- Bikeways and Pedestrian Trails
Public Facilities and Services
- Water Services
- Wastewater Collection, Treatment, and Disposal
- Storm Drainage and Flood Protection
- Electricity Supply and Delivery
- Schools
- Fire Protection
- Law Enforcement
- Solid Waste Disposal
- Pipelines and Transmission Lines
Recreational and Cultural Resources
- Parks and Recreation
- Historically- and Architecturally-Significant Buildings and Sites
- Scenic Highways
Global Warming and Climate Change
- Greenhouse Gas Inventories, Forecasts, and Targets
- Climate Change Vulnerability Assessments
Natural Resources
- Agricultural Resources
- Forestry Resources
- Mineral Resources
Health and Safety
- Seismic and Geologic Hazards
- Flooding Hazards
- Fire Hazards
- Tsunami Preparedness
- Emergency Response
Recent Projects
Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Guidelines
As part of a multidisciplinary consulting team, we prepared a set of guidelines for mitigating tsunami risk through land use planning, site planning, and building design. The consulting team worked closely with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program (NTHMP) Steering Committee, Expert Advisors Panel, and Local Users Panel to ensure that the guidance contained technically accurate information that was presented in a clear and useful way for the target audience. The purpose of these guidelines was to help coastal communities in the five Pacific states—Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington—understand their tsunami hazards, exposure, and vulnerability, and to mitigate the resulting risk through land use planning, site planning, and building design. The project was intended for use primarily by local elected, appointed, and administrative officials involved in planning, zoning, building regulation, community redevelopment, and related land use and development functions in establishing their own policies, regulations, and guidelines to minimize loss of life, injury, and property damage from tsunamis.
| Major Work Products |
| Designing for Tsunamis |
Regional Planning and Climate Change: Understanding SB 375
The passage of SB 375 focused new attention on regional planning in California. Many State, regional, and local officials were left to ask how land use, transportation, and housing planning would be affected by this new law. To answer some of these questions and clarify what SB 375 does and doesn’t do, Mintier Harnish prepared a brief, but consice brochure. The brochure summarizes this complex piece of legislation (and clean-up legislation SB 575) and explains who will implement it and how it is likely to change the transportation, housing, and land use planning process. It dispels some common myths about SB 375 and tries to clarify its implications.
We have used this brochure successfully to assist our clients and dozens of other regional and local officials and planners gain a better understanding of this complex law and how it will likely effect planning processes in California. We hope you will find it useful as well.
