DLBP – Atlanta and London
Urban Planning and Land Entitlement Consultants
DLBP is an experienced urban planning and land entitlement consultancy, with offices in Atlanta, Georgia, and London, England, established since 2010.
We advise property owners, developers, investors, lenders on urban planning and land entitlement requirements, then implement that advice, typically through preparing applications and securing permission for rezonings, variances, conditional use permits, land disturbance permits and other consents to enable development to proceed.
We advise during property acquisition and disposal, helping buyers and sellers know property potential and constraints.
We provide advice and support that takes away the uncertainty of urban planning and entitlement risk.
Our differentiated approach
Our experience has led us to develop a differentiated approach to zoning and permitting: we think genuine community engagement adds real value to our clients’ development opportunities. We advise our clients on enhancing their initial plans throughout the engagement and rezoning process, so that the resulting rezoned property better reflects current and future community needs while delivering higher development value.
The often current way that others do things is to fill in a form, attach some plans, and send it to the city or county, without any prior engagement with the community, so that everything is a surprise to the elected representatives, and at the public meeting representatives of the applicant react to comments and negotiate on the fly, having failed to discover and address issues, problems and opportunities with stakeholders in advance. Often the application decision is deferred or a withdrawal and resubmission is required, because it is not possible to resolve public concerns at the meeting. Our differentiated approach avoids this uncertainty, for both our clients and the community.
Atlanta Office
DLBP LLC
2727 Paces Ferry Road SE
Suite 1625
Atlanta, GA 30339
United States
+1 (470) 421 5170
dominiclawson@dlbp.us
London Office
DLBP Ltd
Pinnacle House
23-26 St Dunstan’s Hill
London, EC3R 8HN
United Kingdom
+44 20 3713 8500
matthewjohnson@dlbp.uk
Our Track Record
We Deliver Certainty
We are urban planning and land entitlement consultants, who are dedicated to helping our clients realize their visions, advocating for their projects and making them a reality through collaboration and creativity.
We have a track record of hundreds of projects, with permission secured in 97% of cases.
Our flexible approach allows for a highly personalized planning advice service which can react quickly to client and project needs.
We have long-term current clients, such as Grace of Georgia Developments, Panoz, Royal Hospital Chelsea, Columbia Threadneedle, Patron Capital, Care UK, Jewish Care, Artemis Land and Agriculture, Ramsbury Manor Foundation, Upspace, Salon Privé, Treasure House Fair and Leap24.
We are trusted by property owners and developers, both large and small, institutions, individuals, often high profile, as well as those wishing to protect their property assets.
Our Planning Awards
DLBP is delighted to be shortlisted for Planning Consultancy of the Year at the Planning Awards 2024. In 2023 we were also proud finalists for Planning Consultancy of the Year at the Planning Awards, Small Planning Consultancy of the Year at the RTPI London Planning Awards for Excellence, and Property Consultant of the Year at the LaingBuisson Awards.
Services we provide include:
Entitlements:
We help our clients obtain the necessary permits and approvals to increase the value of property and enable development or other changes to proceed. We work with our clients to ensure that the process runs as smoothly as possible.
We prepare and facilitate all entitlement documentation, evidence and applications, including any appeals. We provide an after-care service through construction and/or sale, to ensure compliance is fully documented and to deal with changes or additions as the project progresses.
Public and political engagement:
We represent our clients at public hearings and community meetings where necessary, especially for larger and more controversial proposals, advocating for proposals from initial consultation to approval.
We ensure all stakeholders are kept abreast of changes and updates and that they understand any project implications. Our experts leverage various tools, technologies, and communication methods to ensure public feedback is gathered, recorded, and addressed appropriately.
Due diligence and feasibility research:
When our clients come to us with a vision for their project, our first step is to conduct an assessment of the site, consisting of a policy review and researching the planning history of the site to establish the feasibility of the project and its prospects for success. We use this research to develop a strategy for our clients to achieve their vision or to suggest alternative approaches which would likely have a greater prospect of success for the site in question. We also assist clients in the site selection process by conducting data-driven market research.
Consultant management:
We work hand-in-hand with other disciplines such as architects, landscape architects, master planners, transportation planners, ecologists, archaeologists, historic building advisors, and other technical consultants to make certain the project requirements are being met. When the client brings in another consultant, our team makes sure to bring them up to speed and provide them with all necessary information they need to complete their work. And when necessary, we can recommend professionals we have worked with in the past – reputable professionals who we trust.
Our Team
Devynn Glanz
Planner
Master of Urban and Environmental Planning
Bachelor of Science, Urban Planning
+1 (302) 573-0268
devynnglanz@dlbp.us
Devynn Glanz joined DLBP US in April 2023 after graduating from Arizona State University with a Masters Degree in Urban and Environmental Planning and a certificate in sustainability.
Devynn assists Dominic and Anthony by providing advice to clients, researching policy, creating plans and maps, helping to prepare applications, organizing community consultation, formulating development proposals, and in managing other consultants such as traffic engineers and land planners.
Dominic Lawson
President
Master of Business Administration
Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute
Batchelor of Science and Postgraduate Diploma, City and Regional Planning
+1 (470) 421-5170
dominiclawson@dlbp.us
As the President of DLBP, Dominic leads DLBP’s team of urban planning and zoning specialists, who advise real estate owners, developers, investors, and funders on how to get things built in complex and challenging contexts. Dominic founded DLBP in London, UK, in 2010, and expanded to Atlanta, GA, in 2023.
With over 25 years of experience in the field of land use and development, Dominic has a proven track record of delivering successful outcomes for hundreds of projects, ranging from individual homes to whole new towns and urban regeneration schemes. Dominic is passionate about creating planned communities that are sustainable, livable, and respectful of their heritage and environment. Some of the highlights of his career include being the retained urban planning advisor to the Royal Hospital Chelsea, London, since 2010, and achieving an MBA with Distinction from Trinity College Dublin in 2023.
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Dominic holds a Batchelor of Science (with Honors) and a postgraduate Diploma (with Distinction), both in City and Regional Planning from Cardiff University.
Prior to founding DLBP, Dominic was a Partner at leading UK property consultancy Montagu Evans (until 2010), an Associate at another leading UK firm David Lock Associates (until 2004), a Senior Regeneration Consultant at prominent non-profit campaign group the Civic Trust (until 2001), and a Planning Officer at the London Borough of Brent (until 1998).
Dominic was born in Westminster, central London, where his parents were professional actor-singers. Dominic’s father toured the US in the 1960s. Dominic’s mother was the daughter of an American serviceman and English woman who met in England during World War 2.
Dominic was raised in various locations around England, but particularly in London. He was often taken on tour with his parents, and he grew to appreciate the variety and character of different cities and their development. At age 17 he decided on urban planning as a career, and as a university subject - a kind of rebellion given his parents’ show-business life.
Dominic has been studying urban planning and development in the United States since his first visit 22 years ago. He has travelled coast-to-coast and north-to-south, looking hard at the American landscape and development characterization.
Anthony Gajadharsingh
Vice-President, DLBP and Principal of Greene Lawson Advisors
Chartered Company Secretary and Associate of the Chartered Governance Institute
1+ (470) 421-5123
anthonygajadharsingh@dlbp.us
Anthony is co-owner and board member at DLBP, and he is principal of Greene Lawson Advisors, which is a division of DLBP that provides M&A and strategic business planning advice to U.S. private equity firms focused on acquiring industrial automation targets, see www.greenelawsonadvisors.com for more detail.
Prior to Greene Lawson Advisors, Anthony served as Executive Vice President, Corporate Development and Company Secretary for Dematic Group SARL, a then $4bn logistics automation provider, in Luxembourg and the UK.
Anthony also served in numerous senior executive roles for Invensys plc, a FTSE 100 company, his last role being Chief of Staff of the Group reporting to the Group CEO. Anthony was also Chairman of the Audit and Governance Committee of the £4.5bn Invensys Pension Scheme.
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In 2010 Anthony stood for the UK Parliament as a candidate for the Labour Party and was for four years Chairman of the Trustees of Peter Tatchell Foundation, a leading UK based human rights registered charity.
Arriving in the UK from the Caribbean in 1968, Anthony is mixed-race; Irish and Trinidadian. He grew up in West London.
Anthony met his husband Dominic in 1994 and they married in 2006. In 2017, they moved to Ireland to deepen links with that part of Anthony's family. Together, they have grown a number of successful businesses.
Our Commitment to
Corporate Social Responsibility
We hold ourselves accountable for our social, environmental, and economic impacts on the people and places we operate and commit to always operating in a responsible manner.
We also work in a such a way which assists our clients in achieving their own CSR commitments.
We aim to reduce our impact on the environment in our day-to-day operations and work with our clients to implement best practices which minimize any negative environmental impacts, whilst having a positive social impact on the built environment. Our local community is important to us, and we take each opportunity to engage with and make positive contributions to our area, such as providing local jobs and being a good neighbor.
Employees and Careers
We aspire to have the best team around and work hard with all our team members to help them deliver their personal goals. The success of the DLBP is built on the quality of our people, they are committed to the success of our clients.
We encourage on the job training through exposure to interesting and challenging work and key projects, providing opportunities for our staff to advance within DLBP through personal growth, internal progression and promotion. We invest in our people’s technical and business skills. For example, we conduct regular continued professional development both in person and virtually, and host an annual trip to a global city which has demonstrated excellence in planning.
Since 2010 we have stood and always will stand in condemnation of discrimination in the workplace. We are committed to creating a diverse employment environment and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment regardless of race, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status.
Flexible Work Environment
All our roles are based in our high quality office in Vinings, Atlanta, Georgia.
As well as a good salary and bonus, we offer health insurance and pension contribution.
We provide 25 days paid time off (vacation, personal time, sickness) per year, pro rata from the day you start.
Current Career Opportunities
In 2024 we are recruiting more staff at all levels, in particular:
Vice President – Land Use Planning
See: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/3780571110
Please email your resume to dominiclawson@dlbp.us
Case Study: Spring Lake Village
90 single family active adult over 55 community, Cobb County, Georgia
Client:
Grace of Georgia Properties LLC
Land planner:
DGM Land Planning Consultants Inc
Local government:
unincorporated Cobb County, Georgia
Project size:
90 detached single family homes for over 55s on 41.45 acres, of which 35.52 developable (remainder in flood plain), with communal clubhouse, pickleball courts and 16.9 acres of open space.
Project objective:
to secure rezoning for senior living 55+ community (RSL zoning), contrary to provisions of Cobb County Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use Map.
How DLBP added value:
Achieved rezoning to RSL to allow for 90 over 55s single family homes, without onerous conditions.
Density of development secured at 2.53 homes per developable acre, in face of Comprehensive Plan limitation 1.75 homes per acre.
Rezoning secured at the fastest pace allowed by Cobb County procedures - there were no delays or deferrals.
Application for rezoning prepared and submitted to Cobb County within two months of client instruction.
DLBP managed entire process for client, including dealing with land planning consultants and traffic consultants.
No need for a zoning attorney – DLBP dealt with all matters including presenting to the Planning Commission and Board of Commissioners.
DLBP prepared Environmental Site Assessment, Planning Opinion, Planning Statement, Letter of Stipulations, all forms and certificates.
DLBP organized led community engagement, including open-house event with local residents and the District Commissioner.
DLBP led engagement with the District Commissioner and County staff, ensuring District Commissioner support for the development.
The Proposal
DLBP is pleased to share several updates on our progression of the new Sardis Park development in Hall County, on behalf of our client Grace of Georgia Developments LLC.
Utilizing DLBP’s long-established commitment to our clients and communities, we have undertaken a comprehensive engagement process, to gather insight from key stakeholders; including the neighboring community, County Planning and other Department Staff, and the District Commissioner, which afforded the great opportunity to better inform our request. DLBP will continue this engagement, as we go forth.
During our Community Engagement event held on November 6, from 5-7 pm, DLBP had the wonderful opportunity to meet so many of the Sardis Road neighbors, and listen to their questions, concerns, and suggestions, on how Sardis Park would fit into their neighborhood. Understanding that many families have been a part of the Sardis Community for generations, and many special ties exist, it was essential to hear from the community and have their voices heard and to address such, in the form of meticulously adjusting the site-plan. For example, two major mentioned were the 50’ landscape buffer being a separate, deeded tract, and the location of a portion of the walking trail. To that end, the 50’ buffer, which previously was part of the individual lots, was changed to be a separate and deeded tract that is not part of the individual lots, which gives assurance that there will be no encroachment, and thus will be a permanent and well shielded buffer between Sardis Park and the existing homes. Also, neighbors had a concern of the location of a portion of the nature trail, due to the proximity to their home. DLBP was most happy to adjust the location of the trail, so that it is further away from the existing home and to give more safety assurance to the homeowners.
The Site
4363 Sardis Road, Gainesville, GA 30506
Located close to the future Sardis Road Connector Project and the newer Sardis Road Roundabout.
The Hall County Planning Staff, along with other County Departments, has offered DLBP feedback, as how to put forth a well-thought-out proposal, which meets both safety and aesthetic goals of the County.
Using this information, Sardis Park was adjusted to 125 lots, from 132, with lots ranging in size from 4,848 square feet, to well over 8,000 square feet with an average lot size of 7,019 square feet. By adjusting the lots, Sardis Park has a greatly increased green space to 13.7 acres, which comprises 32.8% of the parcel, and is a large increase from the original 22.6% green space in the initial plan. This also helps to create a beautifully designed neighborhood and high-quality, high-value homes, with a landscaped boulevard entrance and exit. Additionally, the road width was adjusted from 24’ to 26’ in width, based on comments from the Fire Marshal. This increase affords an essential safety element, that allows for emergency vehicles to be able to access the neighborhood and exit as quickly as possible.
DLBP was immensely pleased to review our proposal with District Commissioner, Billy Powell, and Planning Commission Chair, Chris Braswell. Both Commissioner Powell and Chair Braswell recognized the need for housing, due to Hall County’s substantial current and projected growth rate. From the County’s Comprehensive Plan, an estimated 900 new homes are needed each year, for twenty years, to keep pace with Hall County’s growth. Both Commissioner Powell and Chair Braswell recognize the need for housing, however, they are both strongly aiming to protect open land. To accomplish both, the sewer extension that will serve Sardis Park is to be a force main, which will serve only Sardis Park, and not open the door for further development.
As we move forward with the rezoning phase of Sardis Park, please, be on the lookout for the yellow zoning sign which now on the property, and formal zoning information letters will be arriving soon from the Hall County Planning Department. Detailed information in the letter will include the upcoming public hearing dates, which are January 16, 2024, at 5:15 pm for the Planning Commission to hear the request and make a recommendation, and February 22, 2024, at 6:00 pm, where a decision is expected by the Board of Commissioners.
