Portfolio

Red Clay Valley Scenic Byway Nomination Application, Corridor Management Plan, and Ordinance Protection Strategies: Successfully assisted the Delaware Nature Society (DNS) in achieving designation of 28 secondary roads for Delaware’s Scenic and Historic Highways program, an affiliate of the National Scenic Byways program; developed the nation’s first watershed-based scenic byways corridor management plan to protect the resources along the byways of the Red Clay Creek watershed. Implementation activities currently underway, including the preparation of ordinance protection standards and design guidelines for development in the Byway.  View Brochure

Okehocking Preserve Management Plan: Prepared an integrated management plan for a 155-acre nature preserve in Willistown Township, PA, including resources inventories, management goals/ objectives, maintenance requirements, and implementation strategies.

New Castle County, Delaware Conservation Plan and natural resource protection ordinance language addressing floodplains, surface waters, drainageways, riparian buffers, woodlands, steep slopes/erosion hazard areas, freshwater wetlands, critical natural areas, air quality, and landscaping, among others. New Castle County Conservation Strategy: An environmental protection plan, including a county-wide natural resources inventory, a description of the importance of resource protection, a primer on the County’s resource protection standards, a explanation of future challenges, and a thorough glossary of reference material, agencies and organizations. Delaware recipient of EPA Source Water Protection Award (2003). City of Newark Municipal Code Evaluation: A thorough code evaluation and review of the City’s draft Comprehensive Development Plan with recommendations for improved resource protection pursuant to the White Clay Creek Watershed Management Plan. Provided model/sample ordinances appropriate to achieve resource protection goals. Final comprehensive plan referenced such goals and plan implementation included updates to existing environmental standards to achieve greater resource protection (worked with the City’s planning department to develop a series of ordinances to protect wetlands, riparian buffer areas, steep slopes, and mature trees; also developed appropriate landscaping and landscape screening standards for the City). State-wide Strategy to Protect State Resource Areas: Consultant to the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) in the preparation of a state-wide strategy to protect State Resource Areas (open lands valued for their natural, cultural and geological significance). Model Municipal Regulatory Approach to Addressing Transmission Pipelines: A multi-prong approach addressing surface land uses affiliated with pipelines, street opening standards, standards for new development in proximity to pipelines, and revisions to municipal comprehensive plans (providing the rational nexus between the comprehensive plan and code of ordinances). Included in this process was the creation of a website entitled PA Pipeline Safety & Environmental Protection, as well as a series of lectures coordinated through multiple U.S. DOT Technical Assistance Grants (TAGs) to educate local governments and citizens about pipeline issues facing eastern PA. Lower Merion Township, Montgomery County Natural Features Conservation Ordinance: A free-standing ordinance for the conservation of natural resources, including site inventory, visual analysis, and landscaping requirements.     Environmental Protection Ordinance Willistown Township, PA: A comprehensive, free-standing ordinance with standards for woodlands, wetlands, riparian buffers, floodplains, steep slopes, stormwater, soil erosion, and landscaping, among others.

Watersheds, An Integrated Resources Plan and Water Resources Compendium for Chester County, Pennsylvania: member of consultant team that prepared a water resources management plan and technical background document for the twenty-one (21) watersheds originating in Chester County. Intended to protect the county’s natural resources, balance the needs of all water users, provide municipalities with an integrated framework for sound land use and water resources management, and help citizens understand water resource issues and their role in resource protection. Recipient of Pennsylvania Planning Association’s 2003 Outstanding Planning Award for a Plan and the 2003 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania).   Christina Basin TMDL Implementation Partnership/Plan and Model Ordinance: Working in conjunction with the Brandywine Valley Association (BVA), 32 local municipalities, the Chester County Water Resources Authority (CCWRA), and the Chester County Conservation District (CCCD) to develop a comprehensive Christina Basin TMDL Implementation Plan (CTIP Plan) and MS4 outreach/coordination strategy coupled with the development of a comprehensive stormwater management model ordinance for PA Christina River Basin municipalities. Model Ordinances Designed to Implement Watersheds: Developed conservation design process for new land development; developed model stormwater management ordinance, model wellhead protection standards and model riparian buffer area ordinance for county’s 62 municipalities. Brandywine Creek Watershed Conservation Plan: A watershed planning effort for the Brandywine Valley Association that analyzed the significant natural, recreational, and cultural resources within the Brandywine Watershed and developed strategies for restoring, maintaining, or enhancing those resources.   Brandywine Conservancy Water Based Land Use Regulatory Program:  Project manager for innovative program that developed and promoted techniques that aid communities in protecting and sustaining adequate water supplies and stream flows; results included model ordinance language and a unique GIS-based water budgeting technique. Sandy Run Creek Watershed Conservation Plan: A state-funded watershed plan in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania that analyzed the significant natural, recreational, and cultural resources within the watershed and developed strategies for their restoration, maintenance and enhancement.   State of the Watershed Reports: Annual publications for two prominent watershed associations in Chester County, Pennsylvania that assess environmental indicators and provide a “health check” of the environmental resources of the Brandywine and Red Clay Watersheds.

Wetlands Protection Standards (Radnor Township, Delaware County, PA): Municipal ordinance language requiring identification of wetlands and coordination with state and federal permit application requirements before local land development approval. Test Well Requirements, On-Lot Sewage Systems Standards, and Wetlands Protection Standards (Londonderry Township, Chester County, PA).

Nutrient Loading Assessment Protocol for State of Delaware: Worked in conjunction with Ecosite, Inc. of Columbia MD, to develop a computational procedure to allow developers and regulators to verify conformance with watershed TMDL requirements for the State of Delaware (as promulgated by the U.S. EPA).

Model Drainage Code and Floodplain Ordinance Outreach to Delaware Municipalities: Commensurate with the findings of the Floodplain and Drainage Advisory Committee’s (FPAC) report to the Delaware General Assembly, assisted DNREC in preparing model drainage code standards, undertook municipal outreach to introduce the code throughout the state, introduced model floodplain ordinances to municipalities and provided outreach regarding floodplain standards. Stormwater Pollution Prevention and Management Plan (SWPP & MP): In conjunction with Duffield Associates and the University of Delaware Water Resources Agency, prepared a plan which describes how the quality of stormwater discharged from the municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) of New Castle County, DelDOT and their Co-permittees (towns of Bellefonte, Elsmere, Newport and the cities of Delaware, New Castle and Wilmington) will be controlled. Stony Creek/Saw Mill Run Stormwater Management Plan (Act 167) (Montgomery County): Project manager for state-mandated watershed stormwater management plan. Comprehensive Post-Construction Stormwater Management Ordinance (Willistown Township, Chester County, PA): incorporating rate, volume, infiltration, and quality components with an emphasis on non-structural best management practices (BMPs). Watersheds, An Integrated Resources Plan and Water Resources Compendium for Chester County, Pennsylvania: Evaluated local and national approaches to stormwater management; developed conservation design process for new land development; developed model stormwater management ordinance for county’s 62 municipalities.

Red Clay Valley Scenic Byway Design Standards & Guidelines RCVSB Design Guide Cover A series of overlay standards and design guidelines for development within a scenic byway preservation area. Concepts discussed include Conservation Design, Transfer of Development Rights, Context Sensitive Solutions, Scenic Vista Protection. “Environment First” Conservation Design Initiative (New Castle County, Delaware): Consists of a series of holistic land development design tools that maximize protection of key land and environmental resources, preserve significant concentrations of open space and greenways, evaluate and maintain site hydrology, and ensure flexibility in development design. The initiative involves an integrated development process that respects natural site conditions and strives to replicate or improve the natural hydrology of a site. Delaware recipient of EPA Source Water Protection Award (2003). Resource Assessment and Conservation Design Site Plan for the Newark Country Club: Under the auspices of the White Clay Creek Watershed Management Committee, prepared a resource assessment and conservation design site plan for the former Newark Country Club in an effort to demonstrate the effectiveness of resource protection through conservation design techniques. TurkeyRun Farm Conservation Site Design: An analysis of planning and development options for a privately owned large farm adjacent to the White Clay Creek Federal Wild and Scenic River. The project involved the preparation of a resource inventory and site analysis outlining the property’s “constraints and opportunities,” and examined development options such as limited development and conservation development (cluster) with upwards of 70% open space.

Goodwin Properties Conservation Site Design: An analysis of planning and development options for a privately owned large farm adjacent to the White Clay Creek Federal Wild and Scenic River. The project involved the preparation of a resource inventory and site analysis outlining the property’s “constraints and opportunities,” and examined development options such as limited development and conservation development (cluster) with upwards of 80% open space.

Conservation Design Assistance for Better Site Planning: Through DNREC’s Nonpoint Source (NPS) program, provide consulting services to Delaware counties and municipalities to encourage conservation site design practices that reduce the generation of stormwater, promote non-structural approaches to stormwater management, and achieve a sustainable pattern of development that protects natural resources and habitat.

Open Space Conservation District (Willistown Township, PA): A flexible by-right cluster zoning district (conventional development by conditional use) designed to preserve open land, sensitive natural, scenic and historic areas and the Township’s rural character. Open Space Preservation District (Lower Merion Township, PA): A flexible mandatory cluster zoning district designed to preserve open space, historic features and cultural landscapes in the Township’s residential districts. (In 1994, Lower Merion Township received the Montgomery County Merit Award for the Open Space Preservation District.) Unionville-Willowdale Pedestrian Walkway: Assisted Land Trust in designing pedestrian walkway to connect two village centers, schools, shops, post office and local park; managed overall project and successfully sought county and state grants for construction.

Lower Perkiomen Valley Sewage Facilities Plan: Project manager for state-mandated six- municipality regional sewage facilities plan in Montgomery County, PA. Sewage Facilities Plan Alternatives Analysis for Westtown Township, Chester County, PA. Sewage Facilities Plan Alternatives Analysis for East Brandywine Township, Chester County, PA.

Guidelines for Growth – 2011 Comprehensive Plan: Developed a plan to provide a rational basis for municipal decision-making on matters that relate to the Township’s future, be it in terms of protecting community values, guiding growth, or providing adequate community services.

Red Clay Valley Scenic River and Highway Study: A watershed-based comprehensive plan that inventoried natural, scenic and historic resources and suggested strategies for their protection.   Southern New Castle County Scenic River and Highway Study: A watershed-based comprehensive plan that inventoried natural, scenic and historic resources and suggested strategies for their protection.

Paoli Master Planning and Ordinances: Working with Willistown and Tredyffrin Townships, developed planning strategies for the redevelopment of the Paoli Rail Yard and surrounding neighborhoods, including streetscape design standards and ordinances that encourage town center and mixed use development in a manner that encourages LEED’s certification and environmentally-sound stormwater management practices. Open Space, Recreation, and Environmental Resources Plan: A plan for the identification and conservation of open space and scenic and natural resources (including recreation planning).

London Grove Township-wide Trails System and Park Plan (Goddard Park): Worked as part of a consultant team to plan a trails network and develop a master plan for the Township’s first municipal park.

Delaware Statewide Transfer of Development Rights Initiative: Consultant to the Governor’s Office in the preparation of a statewide initiative on Transfer of Development Rights. Worked with a task force and state personnel to develop an initiative that culminated in the preparation of state legislation on TDR. Open Space, Greenways, Trails and Recreation Plan Amendment: Assisted London Grove Township’s Park and Recreation Board in the preparation of a detailed plan for open space, greenways and trails, including park planning, trails master planning, trail set-aside ordinance language, and land maintenance and management techniques. Park Plan & Township-wide Trails System (London Grove Township, Chester County, PA): Worked as part of a consultant team to master plan trails network; developed trail set-aside ordinance language, as well as land maintenance and management techniques, developed a master plan for the Township’s first municipal park. Transfer of Development Rights Feasibility Studies I and II (New Castle County, Delaware): County-wide studies that examined the feasibility of using TDR and other agricultural and open space preservation techniques to preserve land in New Castle County. The studies culminated in the adoption of a countywide TDR program.   Community Trails Handbook: Tools and techniques to assist communities in planning, regulating, designing, and managing trail networks. Published by the Brandywine Conservancy.   Open Space Study for Lower Merion Township: A plan for the identification, conservation and protection of open space. Open Space Preservation District (Lower Merion Township, Montgomery County, PA): A flexible mandatory cluster zoning district designed to preserve open space, historic features and cultural landscapes in the Township’s residential districts. (In 1994, Lower Merion Township received the Montgomery County Merit Award for the Open Space Preservation District.) Open Space Study (Lower Merion Township, Montgomery County, PA): A plan for the identification, conservation and protection of open space. Open Space, Recreation, and Environmental Resources Plan (Willistown Township, Chester County, PA): A plan for the identification and conservation of open space and scenic and natural resources. Liondale Farm Preservation (East Marlborough Township, PA): Assisted in unique land preservation process in East Marlborough Township, Pennsylvania which resulted in the grant-assisted purchase of a key farm parcel, the sale of development rights under an agricultural preservation program, and the planning for limited development consistent with agricultural uses.

Contractual Land Use & Environmental Consultant (New Castle County, Delaware): Gaadt Perspectives, LLC served as the county’s land use and environmental consultant on a contractual basis, assisting staff with interpretations of federal, state and local laws, drafting needed revisions to local codes, preparing comprehensive and open space planning documents, and serving as the county’s liaison on environmental issues to outside agencies and organizations. Contractual Environmental Reviews (Delaware and Pennsylvania): Routinely conduct environmental reviews for numerous municipalities and non-profits regarding sewage system proposals, solid and hazardous waste facilities permit applications, water quality/quantity projects, utility projects, stormwater management plans, and land development proposals in accordance with local, state and federal laws.

Solid Waste Management District (Richland Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania): A zoning ordinance district designed to regulate solid waste facilities. Model Recycling Ordinance for Montgomery County: A model ordinance for local municipalities. Recycling Ordinance (East Brandywine Township, PA): A municipal ordinance for the collection and processing of recyclables.