GZA is known for responsiveness and results. Our multi-disciplined teams, expertise and experience, and client-partnership approach on projects, makes GZA a consultant of choice.

Our team of consultant planners offers a variety of allied services, including entitlements planning and facilitation for public and private developers of housing, institutional, commercial, manufacturing, and infrastructure uses.  From identifying highest and best use of real estate allowed under existing zoning, to repositioning land through variances and rezonings to enhance feasibility, to coordinating with stakeholders, agencies, and the community at large to foster a productive dialogue to position a project for successful development, GZA is the go-to consultant for public and private sector clients to provide creative and collaborative solutions to complex environmental project management and planning/land use analyses. 

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Residential & Commercial Developers
Municipalities & Government Agencies
Infrastructure
Industrial & Manufacturing
Institutional
Environmental Planning

GZA’s planning team draws upon decades of experience to develop effective strategies for clients to proactively address potential liabilities that may arise during the environmental review process. Our wide-ranging experience includes preparing environmental documents for all types of projects for public and private sector clients throughout the country. 

We assist clients in preparing legally defensible environmental impact assessments related to federal, state, and municipal environmental regulations including NEPA, CEQR, SEQR, MEPA, and CEPA.  We recognize that projects are typically time sensitive and GZA can quickly draw upon our in-house resources to seamlessly guide clients through the review process including project planning; hazardous materials remediation; site/civil and geotechnical engineering; wetlands delineation and permitting; and noise and air quality studies to get your project completed as quickly and efficiently as possible. 

Our environmental planning projects include commercial and residential developments, infrastructure, and transportation projects throughout the country.

Expertise
  • Environmental Assessments
  •  CEQR
  •  SEQR
  •  NEPA
  •  MEPA
  •  CEPA
  • Environmental Impact Statements
  • Environmental Site Assessments, Due Diligence
  • NYC E-designations Remedies
  • Environmental Justice
  • Socio-economic Analysis
  • Blight Studies
Land Use & Zoning Consulting

Our team possesses an in-depth understanding of land use and zoning regulations, processes, and policies to strategically advise public and private sector clients. Through decades of experience, our zoning professionals regularly recognize, anticipate, and resolve issues early on by coordinating with stakeholders. 

We regularly work with our clients’ legal counsel and architects to develop solutions and get projects approved. Our expertise in land use matters enables us to suggest and evaluate project alternatives and manage applications for municipal zoning and planning boards as well as state, county, and regional authorities for site plan approvals, permits, zoning variances, rezoning requests and special permits.  We also assist clients with state liquor authority and state cannabis license applications.

Expertise
  • Zoning Code Analysis & Development
  • Development Feasibility
  • Discretionary Actions
  • New York City’s Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP)
  • Rezonings
  • Special Permits
  • Preliminary & Final Site Plans
  • Planning & Zoning Boards
  • Urban Design
  • Liquor, Cannabis
  • Open Space / Agricultural / Military
Transportation and Traffic Planning

Our transportation and traffic planners understand the importance of collaboration between all stakeholders including relevant agencies, private businesses, developers, landowners, local institutions, community groups and the general public to develop long term, safe and effective solutions.

We conduct a wide range of studies that address issues such as congestion management, alternative analysis, safety, access, and property redevelopment.  GZA works closely with state, county, municipal agencies and local government leaders to research ways to get the most out of city land use, solve traffic problems, survey road users, analyze transportation data, and research solutions to improve transportation efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

Expertise
  • Vehicular Traffic Impact Studies
  • Trip Generation Studies
  • Transit Studies
  • Parking Studies
  • Bike/Pedestrian
  • Traffic Safety
  • School Safety
  • Corridor Studies
Acoustics, Noise, Vibration and Air Quality

GZA is a recognized industry leader in acoustic, noise, and vibration consulting services. Our experienced professionals—Institute of Noise Control Engineering (INCE) members and certified by multiple states and cities—support a wide range of projects and deploy a full suite of state-of-the-art noise monitoring equipment and modeling software.

Noise-related issues are an ever-growing concern as industrial, commercial, and transportation sources are located near residential and other noise sensitive
areas. Our experts conduct noise monitoring programs to establish ambient background levels at sensitive receptor locations. For example, we determine noise levels from equipment located at industrial and commercial facilities and from transportation systems (roads, highways, rail lines, airports). We also conduct noise modeling impact analyses. Based on the monitoring programs, modeling, and impact assessments, GZA can make recommendations for mitigation alternatives such as barriers, sound insulation or other design modifications to keep impacts to noise sensitive areas below federal, state, and local criteria levels. 

GZA’s background in both technical and planning/land/zoning aspects of these projects gives us a unique perspective to develop effective solutions.

GZA has the experience necessary to plan effective air compliance and permitting strategies all while successfully negotiating with regulatory agencies. Many of the nation’s most significant environmental regulations have been catalyzed by growing concerns about air quality. GZA completes both Title V and New Source Review permit applications, performs air quality impact analyses, and conducts air pollution control technology evaluations to address these concerns. 

We closely monitor state and federal regulatory changes, and use this knowledge, combined with our strong regulatory background, to advise clients on how these changes will impact their business. 

Expertise
  • Noise Code Compliance
  • Noise Monitoring
  • Attenuation Studies
  • Construction Noise Modeling
  • Construction Noise Monitoring (Short Term / Long Term)
  • Sound Generation Characterization
  • Noise Mitigation Recommendations, Design, and Specification
  • Regulatory Compliance
  • Traffic Noise Model (TNM)
  • CadnaA Model
  • INSUL Model
  • Rail Noise
  • Noise Isolation Testing and Design
  • Litigation Support / Expert Testimony
  • Vibration Monitoring
  • Industrial Hygiene/EHS/OSHA
  • Drive-Thru Menu Board Noise Analysis
  • Wildlife Noise Impact Studies
  • Air Quality
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

GZA is a leader in Geospatial Information Management. Geospatial data and technology provide the “backbone” for GZA projects, including data collection, sharing, management, analysis, data access and visualization (mapping and 3D modeling). 

GZA’s scientists, engineers, and analysts develop and use applications and tools to manage, share, and visualize data. GZA utilizes Esri’s industry-leading ArcGIS Platform and ArcGIS Enterprise to provide full integration with desktop, web, and mobile applications for data collection with real-time access and viewing. We employ geospatial data management in concert with our other services. We also assist our clients with using these applications and tools to seamlessly integrate information management into their operations and businesses.

Expertise
  • Geospatial Analysis
  • Asset Management
  • Cartography
  • Field Data Collection
  • Application Development
  • 3D Visualization & Modeling
  • Enterprise GIS Implementation
  • Interoperability and Integration (CAD, ADCIRC, SMS, ARGUS, gINT, EQuIS, HAZUS-MH, Google Earth, Google Maps, SharePoint)
  • Database Design
  • Scripting & Automation
Natural Resource Investigation & Permitting

Our regulatory relationships and experience in federal, state and local permitting allow our clients to focus on their business while we advance their project approvals. GZA's deep bench of in-field services allows us to initiate and execute wetland delineations, data collection, and other field work assignments quickly and efficiently. Engineering design support and our in-depth understanding of construction phases make GZA a valued project team member.

GZA works with natural resource regulators on a daily basis.  Our experience and long-term working relationships benefit our clients' projects by anticipating and solving challenges to gain approvals.  For unavoidable resource impacts, GZA is well versed in the interpretation and implementation of regulations and the creative design of mitigation strategies that have a proven track record of balancing the needs of both clients and regulators, allowing the projects to move forward efficiently and cost-effectively.

Expertise
  • Site Selection 
  • Natural Resource Identification
  • Wetlands
  • Biodiversity
  • Constraints Analysis
  • Local, State & Federal Permitting
  • Rare Species & Wildlife Permit Coordination
  • Freshwater & Marine Dredging/Disposal Permitting
  • Section 316(b) Fish Impingement & Entrainment Permitting
  • Floodplain Activity/Control Structure Permitting
  • Peer Review Permitting Services
Comprehensive Planning

Our planners understand the past, analyze current trends, and conduct community outreach to create models for future growth based on client needs and stakeholder input. Long-term planning documents provide the framework for balanced growth of an area to meet community needs while minimizing the environmental impact. We work with communities to see what is possible and help develop a path to achieve those goals.

We help clients develop local and regional plans for a range of projects including community/downtown plans, updating zoning maps, open space and park developments, corridor improvements, sustainability and resiliency planning, and brownfield redevelopment.

Expertise
  • Regional Plans
  • Master Plans
  • Community/Downtown Plans
  • Open Space and Parks
  • Redevelopment Planning
  • Resiliency/Sustainability Planning
  • Waterfront
  • Brownfield Redevelopment
  • Agriculture
  • Military
Site Master Planning, Design, Landscape Architecture

GZA provides clients with  the engineering and environmental services necessary for successful site planning and development. 

Our staff is experienced in preliminary planning and analysis, alternative design development, definitive roadway design and geometric layout, site utilities design, cost estimating and project financial analyses, environmental permitting, and construction monitoring. From the initial site planning and layout, through the completion of construction, our staff integrates the environmental opportunities and constraints of each site with our client’s needs to optimize the project goals.

We have successfully carried out diverse assignments from small residential subdivisions to large multi-unit housing projects, as well as a range of commercial, institutional, transportation and water resources projects.

Expertise
  • Master Planning
  • Campus Development
  • Transit Oriented Development (TOD)
  • Residential
  • Commercial
  • Institutional
  • Transportation
  • Placemaking & Urban Design
  • Streetscape
  • Park/Pocket park
  • Signage
  • Wayfinding
  • Site Planning/Design
  • Parking
  • Ecological Design & Restoration
  • Drainage
  • Stormwater Management
  • Landscape Architecture
Resiliency & Sustainability Planning

GZA helps our clients protect property, avoid loss, and maintain business continuity and safety by identifying today’s natural hazard risks. We also help clients prepare for an uncertain climate future by designing and implementing innovative, practical and sustainable risk management strategies and solutions.

We apply a balanced and holistic approach that includes systems thinking, risk-informed decision making, social equity, and benefit-cost analysis. We integrate sustainable and resilient solutions into projects from planning, funding, and stakeholder engagement through geospatial mapping, permitting, design, and construction management. Clients and stakeholders rely on GZA to conduct vulnerability assessments, risk analyses and emergency response plans. We help clients plan, fund, and design for sustainability and resilience at essential services, lifeline facilities, high loss potential facilities, commercial, institutional, and industrial buildings and transportation infrastructure. We also provide municipal natural hazard mitigation and climate adaptation planning.

Expertise
  • FEMA Hazard Mitigation
  • Waterfront/Coastal/Riverine System Resilience
  • Plant & Animal Habitat/Biodiversity
  • Renewable Energy Planning
  • Energy Audits/Benchmarking
  • Emergency Response Plans & Management
  • Critical Infrastructure Hazard Mitigation & Resilience
  • Climate Adaptation
Public & Intergovernmental Planning

Through decades of real-world experience, GZA’s team has developed practical skills and in-depth knowledge to productively communicate and advocate for our project objectives before community boards, government agencies, and other stakeholder groups.

Our communications team employs different techniques to reach our clients’ diverse target audiences. We utilize websites, social media, email communications, host charettes, and facilitate meetings with regulatory agencies and elected officials. We encourage inclusion of all stakeholders from the onset of a project to enable open and practical discussions about the benefits a project and address any concerns the community, government agencies, and elected officials may have.  

Expertise
  • Community Engagement
  • Social Media
  • Website Development
  • Community Reporting
  • Community Charettes
  • Environmental Justice
  • Inter-governmental Engagement
  • Elected Officials
  • Planning & Zoning Boards
  • Expert Testimony/Litigation Support
Construction Compliance Monitoring

Once permits are obtained, GZA works with project teams to ensure permit conditions are included in contractor bid specifications, works closely with owners and contractor for field review and planning, and provides field support to ensure compliance is maintained throughout construction.

GZA tracks the construction project, documents permit compliance, and provides timely reporting to the project team to support the schedule and budget. At the conclusion of the project, GZA completes agency notifications and provides close-out documentation for our client's records.

Expertise
  • Access Planning and Field Preparations
  • Construction Bid Preparations & Contractor Orientation/Training
  • Soil and Water Management Support
  • NOI for EPA Construction General Permits
  • Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans
  • Erosion and Sediment Control Inspections & Reporting
  • Project Specific Compliance Tracking Matrix
  • Contractor Field Support
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