Ellen Mccarthy Email & Phone Number

Washington, Dc 20015

Providing a range of consulting services for developers, non-profits and institutions in land use, zoning, planning, historic preservation, and facility location, drawing upon more than thirty years of experience in those subjects in Washington, DC and the metro area.

640 Massachusetts Ave., Nw, Washington, Dc

Teaching course in Land Use Controls, covering a broad range of zoning techniques, analysis of entitlement issues with proposed development projects and a critique of the US land use policy for graduate students pursuing the Master's Degree in Urban and Regional Planning. Also co-lecturer in graduate course on Urban Planning and Researach Methods, focusing on an introduction to the planning process, comprehensive planning and zoning. Co-teach a class in Placemaking and Place Management with Richard Bradley, addressing the use of a variety of techniques to create vibrant, economically valuable urban spaces. Co-taught a class in Affordable Housing in Summer 2014. Served as critic for Hines Development Competition and East End Study, and advise on numerous masters capstone projects.

1100 4Th Street, Sw, Washington Dc

Managed an agency of more than 70 professionals planning for the preservation and future development of Washington DC, providing a full range of services including area plans; zoning and entitlement analysis and recommendations; historic preservation reviews; sustainability planning; comprehensive plan update, municipal facilities master planning, stragegic planning in subject areas including industrial land use, urban placemaking, recreation, open space and community engagement, demographic data analysis and Geographic Information Systems mapping and assistance. Working with staff, completed draft small area plan for Southwest DC and one for the Mid-City Area (encompassing Bloomingdale, Eckington, Stronghold), developed proposed zoning regulations to implement relaxation of Congressionally-imposed height restrictions in order to increase developable space at upper building levels and possible revisions to zoning code to provide additional flexibility in inclusionary zoning program; refined proposed approach to new Comprehensive Plan amendment process; guided outreach to private stakeholders for new initiative to plan for the likely impact of Union Station redevelopment and I-395 air rights development on the adjacent areas.Facilitated attempts to reach a compromise on historic preservation disputes over a large development project in Chinatown; former power plant in Georgetow; demolition of historic building on college campus; and proposed museum relocation in Mt. Vernon Square. Facilitated engagement of major property owners in Union Market area to agree on a plan to share the cost of necessary infrastructure. Obtained funding to develop new design for major municipal public works facility. Participated in discussions with City Administrator over design guidelines for new soccer stadium and related development.

Office Of The Deputy Mayor For Education

Served as an appointed member of an Advisory Committee charged with completing a comprehensive review of boundaries for all schools in the DC Public School system, along with recommendations for policies attempting to balance rights to neighborhood schools versus varying degrees of school choice. This type of review had not been done for more than 40 years in DC. The proposed plan, while controversial, was supported by 72% of DC residents polled by the Washington Post.

3905 Morrison St., Nw, Washington, Dc 20015

Provided consulting assistance and support in planning and entitlement processes for major clients. Worked with DC Public Library and Jair Lynch Development Partners to plan for the redevelopment of Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library. Advised arts organization and private developer on a strategy for zoning and preservation approvals to create a mixed-use project with arts space and housing. Advised several condominium associations regarding their rights with respect to proposed expansion of adjacent commercial structure. Provided site selection and entitlements advice for the local office of an international development firm looking for DC projects.

Washington, Dc

Assisted clients in achieving high quality, successful development projects and obtaining all necessary permits and approvals, including zoning, historic preservation and various federal reviews. Projects included serving as consultant to The Trump Organization for a complex approvals and entitlement process for the redevelopment of the federally-owned Old Post Office as a luxury hotel. Also served as the planning consultant for zoning approvals for three new DC Public Library neighborhood branches (Mt. Pleasant, Washington Highlands/Bellvue and Tenleytown), and two challenging sites in historic Georgetown, among other projects. Assisted several restaurants in getting through bottlenecks in the development approval process.

Began the development of a land use practice. Obtained necessary zoning relief for the construction of three new branch libraries for the District of Columbia. Developed a strategy to help successfully settle multimillion dollar litigation over an award of a development parcel. Represented a range of private clients to obtain zoning entitlements, perform due diligence, provide planning input for development projects and advocate for legislation to provide development incentives.

Washington Dc

Directed a sixty-five person department in providing a full range of planning services. Completed the first new Comprehensive Plan since 1984,which was adopted unanimously by the City Council and won an award for excellence from the American Planning Association. Reviewed and provided guidance to the Zoning Commission for an unprecedented number of large developments in the midst of a major building boom that brought more than 3,000 residential units to the city. Part of the team that planned the new ballpark and the transformation of the waterfront.

Completely re-engineered the zoning and development review process for the District of Columbia. Directed the integration of the Historic Preservation Office into the Office of Planning and upgraded its financial management system. Managed the approval process re: campus plans for six universities and colleges. Overrsaw the completion of a number of neighborhood development plans. Served on the Comprehensive Housing Strategy Development Task Force and an advisory panel to establish location guidelines for new local primary care facilities.

Washington, Dc

Assisted in obtaining entitlements for a large number of important projects, including the redevelopment of the Georgetown Incinerator into a cinema/hotel/retail and residential project, and the transformation of a set of derelict buildings into Cady's Alley, an upscale retail and residential development.

Consulting in city planning, land use, transportation and government relations

Public-private partnership established to coordinate the revitalization of the traditional downtown area of Washington DC

Masters, City Planning

Activities and Societies: Assistant debate coach at Boston University

Ba With High Honors, Government & Politics

Activities and Societies: Debate Team, Chancellor's Student Advisory Committee, Honor's ProgramPhi Beta Kappa