he JD White (JDW) Land Use Planning Team works in communities across the Pacific Northwest. We are committed to providing creative, well-designed, and feasible project solutions that balance client objectives with community needs. Our team comprises a dynamic group of experienced planners with a diverse range of technical expertise obtained throughout the United States; our particular focus is on Washington and Oregon. The Planning Team undertakes projects for public and private sector clients including:

Regulatory Compliance

JDW has extensive experience guiding clients and projects through the regulatory approval process, including preparing the diverse technical documentation and application materials necessary to gain permit approval. JDW staff understands the complexities of planning regulations and has a strong history of working with a variety of projects and jurisdictions. (...read more)

Policy Analysis

Our analysis of regulatory policies and ability to seek appropriate results is part of our problem solving approach. Most frequently, the policy analysis we conduct occurs for growth management programs; state, and local environmental and sensitive lands regulations; development regulations; and comprehensive planning applications. Public and private sector clients throughout the Pacific Northwest often request this aspect of our services, and we are frequently called upon to write new policy and code for local jurisdictions. (...read more)

SEPA / NEPA

JDW has prepared a wide variety of environmental documents under Washington's State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), including Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) for public and private clients. JDW's experience affords a particular understanding of the balance between environmental constraints and the demands of growth and development. (...read more)

Urban Design

JDW has prepared a variety of plans for residential, commercial, recreational, and institutional developments in urban and suburban settings in Washington and Oregon. Each project has been thoughtfully designed to balance physical opportunities and constraints, infrastructure, regulations, financial feasibility, marketability, and compatibility with environmental and community needs. (...read more)

Master Planning

JDW has prepared master plans for residential, commercial, institutional, recreational and industrial facilities. JDW's areas of expertise for these projects range from the high tech and manufacturing industries to public agencies. Each thoughtfully designed master plan balances physical opportunities and constraints, regulations, infrastructure, financial feasibility, marketability, and compatibility with the surrounding environment. (...read more)

Site Evaluation

Drawing on years of experience, we have developed a process for evaluating site and project development feasibility. This process provides our clients with a strong directional tool for the effective evaluation of options, timely decision-making, and strategic allocation of resources to the most viable alternatives. (...read more)

Port Planning

JDW has a long and successful history of assisting port districts. In large measure, this success reflects the firm's understanding that port districts are unique, both legally and in their constituents' eyes. A port district's need to react quickly is more characteristic of a private venture than of a typical public body, so JDW's work with ports has always been dynamic and challenging. JDW is fortunate to have assisted a variety of Pacific Northwest ports in projects ranging from site analyses to strategic business plans and site master plan development. (...read more)

Parks & Recreation Planning

JDW recognizes that designing trails and recreational facilities requires special expertise, the ability to address a variety of issues, and the development of a plan that not only meets the client's requirements but the community's recreational needs as well. We have the expertise, skill, and seasoned staff to meet those needs. (...read more)

Transportation

Transportation-related projects for private and public clients throughout the Pacific Northwest and Alaska are a JDW specialty. The firm's role frequently involves public outreach, site feasibility studies, alternatives analysis, environmental and land use policy analysis and permitting, and technical environmental documentation. (...read more)

Strategic Planning

JDW is highly skilled in working with dynamic organizations to develop strategic plans that meet client needs. JDW has a long history of helping public and non-profit agencies assess their strategic issues and decision-making practices. In our estimation, the key to the effectiveness of those efforts is understanding the critical mission of the organization as well as the local political, economic, and cultural environments within which it operates.