Ivey Planning Group is a specialty planning firm. Our focus is twofold. First, we focus on providing excellent planning services. We choose not to be engineers, transportation planners, ecologists, surveyors, or landscape architects. Second, our focus is on establishing long term business relationships that benefit our small group and our clients. A large full service firm is ultimately only as good as its weakest link. As an example, a firm that does great engineering work but poor quality survey work would be detrimental to clients.

Our approach is to help our clients find the best firms with whom to work within a given geographical area or area of expertise. Thus, we can build a highly competent, cost effective team in all of the disciplines needed for a successful project.

The services provided by Ivey Planning Group consist of the following:

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Master Planning and Site Design-  Our approach to master planning starts with understanding the client goals.  Next we identify known constraints that will influence design.  Our third step is to talk to agency personnel to identify other potential issues.  Client confidentiality is protected at every step.  The fourth step is to prepare an inexpensive conceptual plan to review with the client to ensure we are meeting his/her objectives.  Only after we have achieved these steps do we develop a submittal plan.

Site planning implements the master plan by a careful review of applicable code and rule, followed by an informal preapplication conference with the staff of local government.  We are always reviewing industry literature to find new solutions to old problems.  We also take pride in the fact that we have created new solutions to constructively advance our client’s projects.

Strategic Planning for Permit Approval- The amount of detail that is required to obtain any approvals in the State of Florida has been increasing consistently.  Review by multiple local governments, citizen groups, and State and Federal Agencies is the norm.  We work with clients and their legal team to develop a “game plan” for project approvals.  Key issues like school capacity, transportation, levels of service, affordable housing, and citizen opposition need to be addressed thoroughly in advance of submittal.  IPG will work with the client to identify the best path to obtain the needed approvals.

Planning Entitlements-  Ivey Planning Group focuses on three basic entitlements to include comprehensive plan amendments, rezonings, and developments of regional impact (DRI).  This work is the core of our business.  As a specialty firm we can complete a very high volume of quality work in a short time frame.  Our thorough knowledge of the Florida entitlements process is coupled with our graphic capabilities to produce solid applications. 

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Timelines- An often overlooked, but essential, management tool is the timeline.  It is one of the keys to our ability to maintain forward motion on our projects.  A good timeline consists of three parts to include a project schedule, assignment of areas of responsibility, and proactive management of the timeline.  Developing and maintaining a timeline is part of our corporate religion.

Policy/Ordinance Drafting- Our staff has frequently been called on to draft ordinances appropriate for adoption by local government.  We prepare a draft ordinance that typically follows a prescribed format and make sure that it addresses the concerns of our client (both local government and developer). We then coordinate this effort with an attorney for the client.

Due Diligence-  Ivey Planning Group has prepared several due diligence reports for clients throughout central Florida.  We will thoroughly assess the approvals that may be required, current entitlements, known local issues, infrastructure availability, impact fees, and general design guidelines.