Visionary Master Planning & Site Planning

At Michael Heacock Architects, we deliver high-performance master planning and site planning services designed to transform complex coastal, hillside, rural and urban landscapes into vibrant, sustainable communities.

We provide thoughtful site planning for many project types and sensitive sites, such as the Mill Valley Lumber Yard, Mt. Tam School, and Marin Montessori School. Our site master planning services meet your goals while complying with complicated regulatory requirements, including BCDC, Coastal Commission, Wildland Urban Interface, creeks and waterfront properties. Whether designing an ecological estate, a multi-phased school campus, multi-family development, or a commercial revitalization, our approach is sensitive to the community and  ensures that every structure feels native to the land upon which it is built.

Navigating Complicated Jurisdictions for 30 years

Great architecture requires mastering both the landscape and the local regulatory environment. From the sensitive shores of Hawaii and Big Sur to the strict architectural guidelines of Santa Barbara and Tahoe, our firm turns constraints into design opportunities. We routinely secure approvals in notoriously complex Northern California jurisdictions—including San Francisco, San Mateo, Sonoma, and Napa. Our deep familiarity with Marin County communities like Mill Valley, Tiburon, Belvedere, and Sausalito allows us to handle rigorous design reviews and variances with exceptional efficiency.

Master Planning & Site Planning Services:

  • Zoning Analysis

  • Parking Analysis

  • Accessibility Analysis

  • Civil Coordination

  • Utility Coordination

  • Flood Study Coordination

  • FEMA & Sea Level Rise Planning

  • Coastal Commission Coordination

  • BCDC Coordination

  • Site Plans

  • Site Sections

  • 3D Models

  • Renderings

 

 
Mill Valley Lumber Yard

Coastal Commission & BCDC Experience

How do you get approval to build on California's highly regulated shorelines? With 25 years of experience working with the California Coastal Commission and the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC), Michael Heacock Architects provides the authoritative guidance needed to clear strict environmental hurdles. We specialize in securing complex entitlements for waterfront, cliffside, and ecologically sensitive properties. Our deep institutional knowledge ensures your project honors rigorous environmental protections while successfully navigating the permitting pipeline.

High-Performance Site Solutions

To maximize value and streamline your entitlements, our site planning framework includes a suite of technical, analytical, and visual capabilities:

  • Analysis & Compliance: Comprehensive Zoning Analysis, Parking Analysis, and Accessibility Analysis to satisfy municipal codes.

  • Environmental Resilience: Forward-looking FEMA & Sea Level Rise Planning, Flood Study Coordination, Coastal Commission Coordination, and BCDC Coordination.

  • Interdisciplinary Leadership: Survey coordination, Civil coordination, and Utility assistance.

  • Advanced Visualizations: Site Plans, Site Sections, 3D models, and Ai renderings help build consensus among stakeholders, planning commissions and help with fundraising.