We offer a full range of planning services, including long-range projects like comprehensive, open space, and downtown plans, as well as municipal assistance through land use ordinance work and planning board support.

Comprehensive plans are big, long-term projects that come together through coordinating municipal staff, community volunteers, the public, the project team, and subject matter experts. At North Star, we strive to go above and beyond the State comprehensive plan requirements to engage the public and create community consensus around a shared vision. We don’t believe in just checking the boxes - every plan should be tailored to reflect the unique qualities of each community. We use compelling language, graphics, and illustrations to communicate the plan’s ideas, goals, and recommendations that are accessible, fun, and engaging to read in both digital and print format.

Natural resources, conservation, outdoor recreation, and environmental resilience are high-priority issues for many communities. An Open Space Plan can prioritize and identify important natural areas based on both habitat and community values, study connectivity, and balance conservation with recreation and economic development. Climate planning incorporates both natural resources and the built environment with an assessment of community attitudes and vulnerabilities to prioritize action items and build resilience.

Downtown and neighborhood plans are more focused planning and design projects rooted in the community’s vision for building or revitalizing a center of activity. We build these plans around public outreach and in-depth data analysis, combining placemaking with economic development, transportation, and land use goals. Robust implementation work plans with incremental, realistic strategies are key to achieving the community’s goals.

Land use ordinances are the framework through which development takes place, helping to ensure new growth is consistent with a community’s vision. North Star provides a wide range of ordinance services, including writing new ordinances, zoning and policy updates, recodification of existing ordinances, and usability improvements. Our recent work includes solar standards, conservation subdivision rules, LD2003 compliance, improving review processes, and developing the framework for a town’s first land use code.

North Star Planning provides services and support to help Planning Boards conduct professional, thorough, and efficient development review. We provide this assistance in a variety of ways, including: serving as contract planners for communities without full time planning staff, filling temporary staffing needs, and providing on-call services for large or complex projects.

We also offer Planning Board training that goes beyond the basics and legal requirements with community-specific scenarios to empower Boards to feel more confident in their decision making.