Kevin Gardiner - 30 Years in Practice

Kevin Gardiner, AICP, is a seasoned urban planner with nearly three decades of experience shaping vibrant, sustainable communities. Through Kevin Gardiner & Associates, he provides expert consulting services in urban planning, urban design, and development, helping cities and clients bring their visions to life.

Innovative Housing Solutions for Modern Living

Our Services

  1. Drafting, updating, and implementing General Plans, Specific Plans, Area Plans, and Downtown Plans

  2. Policy – fast peer review, compliance checks, staff reports

  3. Community Engagement – designing and leading workshops, pop-ups, facilitation, surveys, stakeholder interviews, videos, websites, contact management, and mailings

  4. Incorporating state law requirements (SB 9, SB 79, SB 375, SB 330, Housing Accountability Act, etc.).

  5. Writing policy documents on land use, circulation, open space, conservation, noise, and safety.

  6. Updating zoning ordinances, development standards, and objective design guidelines (as required under SB 330 and the Housing Accountability Act).

  7. RFP, RFQ and RFI writing

  8. Performing feasibility studies and economic assessments for housing, retail, or mixed-use development.

  9. Supporting cities with grant applications (e.g., SB 2, LEAP, REAP, Prohousing).

  10. Project Management

  11. Development Agreements

  12. Housing Element Implementation

  13. Advanced Planning Staff Support and Augmentation

  14. Existing Conditions Analysis

  15. Visioning Exercises

  16. Preparing phasing and implementation strategies for public improvements.

  17. Other Services (Ask!)

  1. Design Standards and Guidelines (heights, setbacks, massing, density transitions)

  2. Design Concepts – Exterior and Interior

  3. Preparing concept plans, site plans, and master plans for downtowns, corridors, and redevelopment areas

  4. Developing 3D models, renderings, and visualizations to illustrate design concepts

  5. Designing streetscapes, plazas, parks, and public spaces, balancing aesthetics, function, and accessibility

  6. Producing illustrative graphics and diagrams that make technical information understandable to the public

  7. Ensuring proposals align with complete streets policies, sustainability goals, and context-sensitive design principles

  8. Preparing phasing and implementation strategies for public improvements

  9. Supporting development of construction documents or design development phases (in collaboration with architects/engineers)

  10. Project Management

  11. Reviewing development applications for compliance with design guidelines

  12. Advising on public realm improvements as part of private development projects

  13. Recommending design solutions that improve walkability, livability, and place identity

  14. Other Services (Ask!)

  1. Development Feasibility – site planning, housing strategies, development program modeling

  2. Development Application Assistance and Project Management

  3. Project Management

  4. Acting as a liaison between developers, city staff, consultants, and community stakeholders

  5. Scheduling and managing meetings, workshops, and presentations

  6. Tracking project milestones, deliverables, and approvals

  7. Fees Comparison Analysis

  8. Purchase Contracts and Letters of Intent

  9. Property Search and Acquisition Assistance

  10. Helping prepare applications (site plan review, rezoning, conditional use permits)

  11. Coordinating technical studies (traffic, environmental, infrastructure)

  12. Ensuring submittals are complete and consistent across agencies

  13. Organizing outreach (community meetings, hearings, business/property owner discussions)

  14. Presenting project details to Planning Commissions or City Councils

  15. Addressing community concerns and integrating feedback into project design

  16. Advising developers on local policies, zoning, and design standards

  17. Identifying potential risks and challenges (political, regulatory, community, SWOT analysis)

  18. Recommending phasing or “quick wins” to build momentum

  19. Marketing and Sales - our team includes licensed real estate sales associates

  20. Other Services (Ask!)