Sustainable Development Review & Permitting

Brown Walker Planners, Inc. has provided technical planning review to assist communities with project review and evaluation for proposed developments and applications under site plan review, conditional use permitting, and special zoning districts. We have a commitment to promoting sustainable communities through planning and bring that perspective into every project. We also embrace sustainable practices in our day to day work and operations. To view our statement of sustainable business practices, click here.

For most communities that we have assisted, we have coordinated the development review process by leading teams specifically structured to evaluate the potential benefits and impacts of a proposed development and to assess compliance with municipal regulations and development guidelines. Team recommendations for reducing and mitigating negative impacts affect changes to development plans and advance community goals. We also assist with the crafting of development agreements that further assure the projects will mitigate the impacts of construction and operations and sets parameters for agreed upon operation, maintenance and management strategies and standards.

Merrimack Premium Outlets
Merrimack, NH

Brown Walker Planners provided technical assistance to the Planning Board of Merrimack, NH for peer review services for a proposed retail development with over 600,000 square feet of outlet shops, on a formerly undeveloped industrial site, but in close proximity to residential neighborhoods.

The consulting team assisted with the peer review process first for the Conditional Use Permit, followed by Site Plan Approval. The firm coordinated the work of subconsultants to provide specialized review of traffic, fiscal, blasting, and environmental impact reports. The consulting team provided recommendations for reducing and mitigating negative impacts affecting changes to the development plans that preserve community resources and respond to community values.

The consulting team also supported the Planning Board in negotiations with the developer to craft a Development Agreement that addresses the mitigation of impacts and the long-term operation and management of the proposed premium outlet village.

Development Review
Berlin, MA

Since 1995 our firm has been providing professional planning, zoning, and peer review services to the Town of Berlin, MA.  These services support the Town in its efforts to guide growth that is consistent with the Town’s needs and vision.   Professional services have included developing both a Master Plan and successive Open Space and Recreation Plans; assisting in crafting zoning regulations including project-specific design standards and permitting processes; and assisting with site plan review.  our firm has led consultant teams in reviewing traffic, fiscal and environmental reports; and has also assisted the Town in negotiations with developers concerning the mitigation of impacts and the long-term operation and management of proposed developments, resulting in Development Agreements that outline mitigation, roles and responsibilities.

The most recently approved zoning changes that our firm assisted the Town in developing will allow a mixed use village to be built at the rotary in south Berlin.  This location was identified in the Town’s 1997 Master Plan as suitable for dense village center type development that would allow a consistent amount of development but in a form that restricts the development area in order to preserve the remaining land.

Our firm, leading a consultant team, and working with the Town and the developer helped bring about changes to the original proposal which responded to the Town’s concerns regarding excessive residential development, municipal fire and safety capacity, traffic impacts, and impacts to the site’s natural resources.  The resulting development, Riverbridge North, is a balanced mixed use village that provides a variety of housing options, small to moderate scale commercial ventures, and pleasant public spaces within a walkable neighborhood.  The nearly ninety acres of land preserved by the clustered development protects valuable natural resources, provides recreational opportunities, and helps the Town honor and retain its rural character.