camera group.jpg

About Us | Services

UrbanLens Planning, LLC provides strategic and creative solutions for land use planning and permitting, sustainability, project management and urban mobility.  The firm’s principal, Robin Scholetzky, has been a practicing urban planner in Portland, Oregon for over 15 years, working in the public and private sector for design, environmental and planning firms.

We apply experience and tenacity to successfully navigate the permitting process, enabling you to focus on the ongoing success of your project.

UrbanLens Planning is a State of Oregon ESB/WBE and DBE certified business, #9794.

everything.JPG

Clients and Project Partners

We collaborate with some of the sharpest in the industry: 

Jurisdictions 

City of Astoria Community Development Department;  City of Beaverton, Facilities Department, City of Portland Parks and Recreation Department; Portland Bureau of Transportation

Designers and Builders

Ankrom Moisan Architects; Bridgetown Design; Buckenmeyer Architecture; ; DMTA Architecture; Opsis Architecture;  Scott Thayer Architecture; Simon Investments; Summit Engineering; Urban Development + Partners

Allied Professionals

Brightside Engagement; Cascade GIS + Consulting; Communitas Planning; Inhabit Real Estate;  Oregon Chapter of the American Planning Association; Sarah Moon + Co

We love what we do and it shows in our work:

““We recently had the pleasure or working with Robin as UrbanLens secured entitlements for our Portland, OR senior housing project and we could not have been happier with our experience. In addition to being exceptionally responsive with our team and taking the time to really understand our project’s nuances and sensitivities, she kept us very well informed of issues she confronted and timing expectations related to submissions and processes. Thanks in no small part to Robin’s attention to detail and her rapport and professionalism with city staff, she executed flawlessly.”
”
— David Simon, Simon Investments
“When I first spoke with Robin, our Neighborhood Association Board was in a panic. A hearing was scheduled for a proposed subdivision adjacent to a beloved neighborhood park, and we did not know how to respond to the applicant’s proposal. Robin patiently listened to our concerns and helped us identify the goals we wanted to achieve at the hearing and the best strategies for achieving them. She spent several hours on the phone with me over a series of several phone calls, spent time researching our town’s Municipal Code and procedures, and reviewed our letter of testimony to the Development Review Commission. We were able to go to the public hearing informed and prepared because of all of her help. I am deeply grateful to Robin for all the time and care she took advising us.”
— Sarah Ellison Hallinan Heights Neighborhood Association Board, Lake Oswego
““We hired Robin for what seemed to be a complicated land use riddle wrapped up in an environmental enigma. She was able to plow though the layers of complexity in a timely fashion and find an exception in the planning code that allowed us to move forward and avoid a costly land use adjustment process.”
”
— Dennis Thompson DMTA Architects
““Robin has been amazing to work with and brings more knowledge to the planning process than anyone we’ve worked with. She has been an essential asset in navigating and understanding the city’s processes and procedures in planning our metro area projects. She stands out even more in her responsive and quick turnaround time.””
— Ashley and Tyler, Portland Farmers and Entrepreneurs
 
 
Claw detail.jpg

Project Portfolio 

Featured
Planning the Cycling City
Planning the Cycling City

In June of 2018, Robin engaged in an educational program with the Universiteit van Amsterdam, Graduate School of Social Sciences. As part of an immersive, study-intensive three-week period, Robin toured several cities in the Netherlands to learn first-hand about programs and infrastructure that have enabled the Netherlands to continually achieve one of the highest rates of cycling in the world. Her Planning the Cycling City colleagues were cycling advocates, design professionals, urban planners and students from across the globe. The experience was transformative as it provided insights into the humanizing and socializing benefits of cycling in urban environments. (2018)

City of Astoria Contract Planning
City of Astoria Contract Planning

Robin is currently working on-call for the City of Astoria processing multiple development review applications (2018). (Photo courtesy of the City of Astoria)

SW Naito Parkway | Tree Removal in South Auditorium Plan District
SW Naito Parkway | Tree Removal in South Auditorium Plan District

Robin completed this fast-track land use application for the Bureau of Transportation in conjunction with the SW Naito Fixing Our Streets project. The application received approval for tree removal and replanting in the South Auditorium Plan District. Its approval will support a variety of pedestrian and bicycle elements as part of a much bigger project to create stronger and safer multimodal connections within the District, with the addition of two-way cycle tracks and separated pedestrian paths on a vital City Corridor. UrbanLens teamed with Mayer/Reed and David Evans and Associates on this project. (2017-2018) (Graphic courtesy of Mayer/Reed)

Preliminary Site Assessments
Preliminary Site Assessments

Robin has completed dozens of site assessments for commercial and residential properties in the Portland Metro region. These site assessments provide information and direction to homeowners and developers for next steps in the land use process. Her experience includes land divisions, flag lot development, accessory dwelling potential and environmental overlay assessments. (2015-current)

Land use research - Real estate transaction
Land use research - Real estate transaction

Working with a local real estate group, Robin provided land use research and assistance to help facilitate a residential real estate transaction. Research included code review and coordination with utilities, permitting agencies and surveyor. (2017)

St Andrew Dung-Lac Church
St Andrew Dung-Lac Church

Robin is currently working with the St Andrew Dung-Lac Church on a Type III Development Review land use application with Washington County. The Church is seeking approval for an addition and remodel of an existing religious facility. Project includes neighborhood notice and meeting; land use application and Planning Commission hearing. (2017). (Site Plan courtesy of Scott Thayer Architecture)

Rose Linn Care Center
Rose Linn Care Center

Robin is currently working on a Class II Design Review land use application with City of West Linn for the addition/remodel of an existing skilled nursing facility. Process included preapplication conference; neighborhood notice and meeting; Class II Design Review land use application and Planning Commission hearing. (2017). (Graphic courtesy of Ankrom Moisan Architects)

Hillsboro Professional Plaza
Hillsboro Professional Plaza

Robin completed the land use permitting associated with a three-story office building in the City of Hillsboro. Robin’s work includes a site/zoning analysis, preapplication materials and meeting and development of the land use application. (2017) (Image courtesy of Bridgetown Design)

Residential Adjustment for ADU
Residential Adjustment for ADU

Robin completed an Adjustment application to the City of Portland in support of construction of a residential accessory dwelling in Southeast Portland. (2017) (Graphic courtesy of Buckenmeyer Architecture)

Courtyard at Mount Tabor
Courtyard at Mount Tabor

Robin provided assistance to a regional architecture firm to successfully develop a Type III Conditional Use land use application for a residential memory care facility in SE Portland. (2016-2017) (graphic courtesy Ankrom Moisan Architects)

Mt. Tabor/Delta Park Maintenance Facilities
Mt. Tabor/Delta Park Maintenance Facilities

Robin provided assistance to the design team of OPSIS Architecture to assist the City of Portland Parks and Recreation Department with improvements to these two facilities. Robin’s work included land use planning and permitting assistance. (2016-2017) (Graphic courtesy OPSIS Architecture)

Portland Metro Farmsite
Portland Metro Farmsite

Robin is currently working with a family farm seeking a farmsite in the Portland Metro region. Her work includes site analysis and assisting the owners with property purchase due diligence. (2016-2017)

City of Beaverton, Major Modification of a Conditional use
City of Beaverton, Major Modification of a Conditional use

Robin completed a Type 3 Major Modification of a Conditional use application for the City of Beaverton in support of expanding the Beaverton City Hall building (2016) (Image courtesy City of Beaverton)

Westgate|Creekside Redevelopment Plan
Westgate|Creekside Redevelopment Plan