“Steve is a very creative and thoughtful land planner. He has assisted me with a challenging master planned community project including higher density small-lot detached products. He has an eye toward balancing the ultimate livability of the project and addressing jurisdictional requirements throughout the approval process. He is very responsive and is a valuable member of the team. I highly recommend Steve!”

“It is my privilege to write this letter of recommendation for Steve McCormick and Agora Planning + Design. Steve and Agora prepared the Specific Plan for our Tapestry project in the City of Hesperia. This was one of the largest Specific Plans in the state and was extremely complicated and controversial. Throughout the entire process, Steve was a consummate professional. He demonstrated an extremely creative side while maintaining a firm grasp on creating planning solutions that were sensitive to economics. This is a rare skill in a planner. During the run-up to public hearings we held a series of public outreach forums and Steve took a lead role as spokesman for the project. He was always even-keeled, respectful and articulate when dealing with the public. He took the time to listen to input from everyone and incorporated many suggestions into the final plan. In the face of some pretty rude members of the community he showed composure and grace under fire.

Technically Steve is able to articulate the latest thoughts on smart growth planning principles and incorporate these ideas into the master plan. Steve worked well with the various agencies having jurisdiction over the project and brought them together in support of the plan. He was always willing to go out of his way to bring our project to a successful conclusion. As a result of his efforts, we received unanimous approval of the Tapestry Specific Plan, even in the face of strong opposition from an organized group of local residents.

Beyond all of his technical skills, Steve is a really solid person. I thoroughly enjoyed working with him and having someone on the team I could always count on to tell the truth. I strongly recommend Steve McCormick and Agora Planning + Design for any assignment. I will absolutely use him again on my next project. If you would like to discuss this recommendation or need any additional information, please feel free to contact me at johanian@tvgllc.com.”

“We were laying out lots on a development in Arapahoe County Colorado and it was just ok. I sent the layout to Steve to comment on and he sent back an exceptional plan that had almost every lot on a cul de sac and had view corridors at the end of the cul de sacs to the open spaces. My first thought was that there were more lineal feet to develop and the development costs would increase. I had our engineer compare the two plans and discovered that Steve’s plan was more efficient. Steve also worked with us on a 3,400 acre project during the entitlement stage and handled himself very professionally. He has a great sensitivity for the land and the context of the surrounding communities. I recommend Steve.”