Welcome to the Eaton Planning web site
Eaton Planning is an urban planning firm specializing in smart development
codes, growth management, and public policy advice. Eaton Planning was
founded in late 2004 by Chris Kluchman, a founding principal of Angelo Eaton
& Associates in Portland, Oregon.
Chris Kluchman, AICP
Chris has 20 years of planning and development experience in a wide variety of settings. As
the Principal of Eaton Planning, she offers clients experience in smart development
zoning codes; comprehensive planning and growth management, natural
resource protection and green infrastructure, development permitting for
complex projects, and excellent project management and group facilitation skills.
Chris led Angelo Eaton & Associates from 1999 to 2005 www.angeloeaton.com. At Eaton
Planning, she continues to work with multi-disciplinary teams on policy development and
implementation for land use, growth management, transportation, natural resources, and
development projects. She is an articulate and energetic representative for clients in private,
public, and non-profit sectors and specializes in resolving complex policy issues. Chris is able
to explain technical issues to a variety of audiences.
Recent Project Experience and Clients
Parking Facility Workshop, Town of Ayer
Chris led a one day charrette to help the town of Ayer resolve a long-standing issue about the
size, location and design of a commuter rail park and ride facility. She worked closely with an
established Task Force, Town staff, committees and Board of Selectmen to plan the event.
Approximately 80 people attended the four hour event, to learn about different solutions, and
work together to come up with a solution that could be forwarded to the regional transit
authority. A Hybrid solution that mixes structured parking and small surface parking lots
emerged from the workshop as the preferred approach.
Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw Revision. Springfield, Massachusetts.
Chris is leading an effort to overhaul the City’s Zoning bylaw and Subdivision Regulations.
Known as the “City of Homes” Springfield is Massachusetts’ third largest city with 152,000
people. The City desires to update the zoning districts and regulations to simplify the
development process, provide for sensitive redevelopment and revitalize and strengthen its
urban centers. Chris is leading a diverse Citizen Advisory Committee to review and comment
on draft ordinance language.
By-Law Revisions, Devens, Massachusetts. Working for MassDevelopment,
Chris wrote an innovative residential zoning framework for Devens, MA, a 4,400 acre
decommissioned army base. The new regulations promote transect-based zoning, with a
mixture of densities, neighborhood commercial uses, and require human-scaled pedestrian
environments. The process included facilitating large and small stakeholder committee
meetings and public presentations on the By-Law changes.
Comprehensive Zoning Regulation Revision. Portsmouth, New
Hampshire. As part of a team lead by Taintor & Associates, Inc. Chris is assisting the City
of Portsmouth to amend the current zoning regulations to ensure consistency with the 2004
Master Plan, bring it up to date with state laws; add clarity and review for internal
consistency. Chris is working on design-based ordinance language for commercial corridors
in the City.
Grant Writing, MassDevelopment. As a consultant to the state agency
MassDevelopment, Chris coordinated with local governments and state agencies to match
program funds and projects. Specific assignments included:
- Massachusetts Technology Collaborative Green Affordable Housing Initiative grant to
develop a $6 million program within MassDevelopment; - Public Works Economic Development (PWED) successful grant application for $1.4
million infrastructure for City of Springfield, MA, from Massachusetts Executive Office
of Transportation (EOTC)
Upcoming and Recent Research and Speaking Engagements
“2B or Not 2B: Planning for Devens, MA a Decommissioned Army Base,” American Planning
Association National Conference, Philadelphia, PA, April 2007.
“Commercial Development Regulations and Design Standards for Large Format Retail – a
Smart Development Approach", Vermont Law School and Vermont Law Journal Symposium,
South Royalton, VT, March 2005.
“Zoning for Home Based Businesses”, New England American Planning Association Annual
Conference, Springfield, MA September, 2004.
Low Impact Development, Green Street Designs” Sustainability Forum, Los Angeles, CA,
August 2004.
“So You Want to Improve Your Development Code?” Oregon American Planning Association
Workshop, Portland, OR, April, 2003.
"How to Start a Consulting Firm" American Planning Association Annual Conference,
Chicago, IL, April 2002.
| Eaton Planning |
| Expertise Land Use Planning Growth Management and Comprehensive Planning Zoning Code Revisions Natural Resource and Environmental Planning Public Involvement Programs Facilitation Grant Writing Member American Planning Association American Institute of Certified Planners Congress of New Urbanism Education B.A. Growth and Structure of Cities, Haverford College |
| www.eatonplanning.com ckluchman@eatonplanning.com Office: 781-210-0982 Fax: 781-658-2621 1984 Massachusetts Avenue Lexington, MA 02421 |
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controversial local issue, maintaining an atmosphere of collaboration and cooperation among diverse interests. The event constituted a new paradigm for the Town of Ayer. Harry B. Zane, Chair Comprehensive Plan Committee |
| Update - Chris Eaton got married on 07/07/07 and is now Chris Kluchman. Eaton Planning is still Eaton Planning. Email: ckluchman@eatonplanning.com |
