NSVRC Hazard Mitigation Plan

EPR Community Planning

In 2023, EPR worked with the Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission (NSVRC) to update its Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. This document, required by FEMA to access certain disaster and mitigation funding, aims to create a more resilient regional community by:  Reducing or preventing loss of life and property during natural hazard events such as flooding, severe storms, wildfires, and pandemics; … Read More

Planning for Flood Resilience in Texas

EPR Community Planning

Colorado River flooding; Wharton County, Texas.

EPR celebrates the completion of a successful technical assistance effort, helping communities plan for flood resilience and hazard mitigation in Liberty and Wharton Counties in Texas. EPR is very proud of our long-term relationship with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; in this case, partnering with EPA Region 6 and our frequent partners on all things environmental engineering, Tetra Tech. Using … Read More

Framework for Equitable Mobility Oriented Development

EPR Community Planning, Transportation Planning

Tucson Equitable Mobility Oriented Development Illustration

In support of the US EPA’s mission to protect human health and the environment, the agency’s Office of Community Revitalization provides competitively awarded technical assistance for communities to achieve their desired development goals, improve quality of life, and become more economically and environmentally sustainable through the Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities program. EPR staff have been working with the US … Read More

The City of Harrisonburg’s Comprehensive Housing Assessment and Market Study

EPR Community Planning

Aerial photo of Harrisonburg Virginia

In 2020, the City of Harrisonburg contracted with Mullin & Lonergan Associates and its team of Fourth Economy and EPR to conduct work on its Comprehensive Housing Assessment and Market Study. This work arose from City Council’s 2019 vision statements, which included affordable housing as a central component for its twenty-year vision. The Comprehensive Housing Assessment and Market Study begins … Read More

Recreation Economy for Rural Communities, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

EPR Community Planning

Recreation Economy for Rural Economies Photo

EPR and a team of consultants was entrusted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Community Revitalization, the USDA Forest Service, and the Northern Border Regional Commission, to develop a toolkit and deliver a pilot planning assistance program called Recreation Economy for Rural Communities (RERC). The pilot year for this program was 2019-2020, which was challenged by the COVID … Read More

Local Foods, Local Places Program, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

EPR Community Planning

Local Foods, Local Places Virtual Workshop

EPR is under contract with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in partnership with USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, for 2018-2020 to deliver its Local Foods, Local Places Program. The program supports locally led, community-driven efforts to protect air and water quality, preserve open space and farmland, boost economic opportunities for local farmers and businesses, improve access to healthy local food, and … Read More

Urban Design and Planning Services, City of Norfolk, Virginia

EPR Community Planning

The City of Norfolk has a diverse mix of design character, ranging from the urban downtown area, to suburban subdivisions and industrial areas. Norfolk wants to continue to grow as this region’s urban center while addressing the challenges of recurrent flooding, economic stability and neighborhood integrity, and it requires comprehensive and coordinated planning to do so. EPR is working with … Read More

Small Area Planning

EPR Community Planning

EPR routinely conducts multimodal corridor planning efforts and recently completed an update to a regional long range plan for the central Virginia MPO. EPR also works extensively on local planning projects to inform comprehensive plan updates. EPR has provided transportation planning services for small area planning efforts throughout Virginia.  Example projects include: Urban Development Area Planning  – EPR staff (Vlad … Read More

Urban Development Areas Program – OIPI

EPR Community Planning

EPR is assisting several localities in Virginia as part of a team of consultants selected by the Virginia Office of Intermodal Planning & Investment and VDOT to assist Virginia localities incorporate new Urban Development Area (UDA) legislation into their comprehensive plans and zoning and subdivision ordinances. In 2010, the Virginia Legislature adopted legislation to require high-growth cities, counties and towns … Read More

Montgomery County Agritourism Study

EPR Community Planning

Montgomery County, Maryland has a long history of preserving its rural landscape, and recognizing the importance of its agricultural uses, historic sites and unique open spaces. Since the creation of the Agricultural Reserve in 1980, Montgomery County has been a national leader in the development of innovative land conservation policies. A new diversification of the rural economy offers the opportunity … Read More

Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities

EPR Community Planning

Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency EPR worked with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2018 to deliver its Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities program in Wisconsin, Illinois, and New Mexico. This program provides quick, targeted community planning assistance on a wide variety of smart growth topics, such as green and complete streets, flood resilience, linking land … Read More