about us

Clearzoning is a 23‐year old planning and transportation consulting firm that was originally established as a subsidiary company of Birchler Arroyo Associates, Inc. Founders David Birchler, AICP, PCP, and Rodney Arroyo, AICP, established Clearzoning as a consulting firm that provides planning, zoning, and transportation services.

The company’s Clearzoning product reorganizes zoning and other development regulations for greater efficiency, identifies and resolves conflicting regulations, and provides a significant “health check‐up” for zoning codes.  Clearzoning is at the forefront of developing clear and user‐friendly zoning ordinances — it’s what we do. Our clients range in size and character from rural communities to small towns to medium‐sized cities and townships. 

Each clearzoning project is directed by Rod Arroyo or David Birchler, the company owners. All clearzoning clients enjoy telephone and email access to the project director throughout the process.

Rod Arroyo, AICP – President

Rod has a Master of City Planning degree from Georgia Tech and has over 30 years of planning and transportation expertise.  His experience includes master plans, zoning ordinances, form-based codes, corridor studies, recreation plans, wireless communication facility plans, training, and access management plans.  He also serves as an expert witness in planning and zoning issues. He is a recognized author and trainer in municipal planning and traffic impact analysis. He is a national and state award winner for projects ranging from the City of Detroit’s Development Manual to the City of Troy’s Big Beaver Corridor Study. Rod is an Adjunct Professor in the graduate urban planning program at Wayne State University. Contact him at Rod (at) clearzoning.com

David Birchler, AICP,PCP – CEO

Dave has provided community and transportation planning services to cities and townships throughout Michigan for over 40 years.  With a Bachelor of Science in Urban Planning from Michigan State University, Dave has focused on providing consistent, thoughtful long-range and day-to-day planning advice to cities, villages, townships, and economic development authorities in Michigan.  He believes a planner’s most important professional skills are: the ability to put everything into the context of how the complete community functions; and the ability to listen to and build consensus among people with diverse points of view. He served as President of Michigan APA (the predecessor of the Michigan Association of Planning), is a DDA Board member in Lathrup Village, and serves as Secretary-Treasurer of the Small Town and Rural Planning Division of the American Planning Association. Contact him at Dave (at) clearzoning.com

Bill Stimpson, PE – Director of Traffic Engineering

Bill Stimpson has a Master of Engineering (Civil Engineering), Texas A&M University and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Civil Engineering), University of Michigan. He has 43 years of research and operational experience in transportation and traffic engineering, specializing in traffic safety and site planning.  His traffic safety work has included driver performance research, and facility safety auditing.  His site planning work has included plan development and review, traffic impact analysis, and access management.  He has also dealt with parking and a wide variety of other traffic planning issues, ridesharing, and bicycling incentives. Contact him at Bill (at) clearzoning.com

Jill Bahm, AICP – Principal Associate

Jill Bahm received a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Michigan and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications/English from the University of Michigan.  Jill has worked in both the public and private sector, as a Downtown Development Authority director, city planner, and real estate marketing professional.  Jill’s professional interests include economic development, recreation planning, historic preservation, community participation and organizational development. Jill currently serves on the Main Street Oakland County Advisory Board and the Michigan Association of Planning’s Information, Resources, Communications, and Social Media Committee. Contact her at Jill (at) clearzoning.com

Heidi Hannan, AICP – Senior Associate

Heidi has a Master of Urban Planning, Wayne State University and a Bachelor of Science in Political Science with a concentration in Public Administration from Central Michigan University. Heidi has served as an instructor of citizen and professional planners in an advanced Site Plan Review Workshop for the Michigan Association of Planning.  She has extensive experience developing and performing training programs for local boards and commissions as well as  planning staff.  Contact her at Heidi (at) clearzoning.com

Susie Roble, Staff Planner

Susie received a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Michigan with a concentration in Land Use and Environmental Planning, and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Culture from Indiana University. Susie possesses a diverse skill set resulting from a combination of work, internship and volunteer experience in multiple urban settings.  This has provided her with an understanding of planning for diverse socio-economic communities, as well as the ability to effectively communicate with the people that represent them.  This has allowed her to develop a high level of confidence and strong relationships with her clients. Contact her at Susie (at) clearzoning.com

Sheila Starks, Staff Planner

Sheila received a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Planning from the University of Michigan, with a minor in GIS.  She graduated with honors and was awarded the University’s prestigious Maize and Blue award.  Sheila is an integral member of our team, providing mapping and 3D modeling for our clients.  In the past, she has worked with Oakland County Parks and Recreation to create several databases, including a county-wide recreational amenities gap analysis. At the University of Michigan-Flint’s Center for Applied Environmental Research, Sheila provided geocoding services and conducted research on land conservation measures. Contact her at Sheila (at) clearzoning.com

Stacey Dogonski, Technical Support Assistant

Stacey provides invaluable administrative support to management and the company through packaging of proposals and reports, managing multiple Access databases to track key company data, greeting and directing client calls, maintaining ongoing electronic and hard copy files, and managing the firm’s extensive planning, zoning, and transportation library. Stacey assists our traffic department with traffic data collection and creation of related graphics and presentation materials. Contact her at Stacey (at) clearzoning.com

 

Michele Ciscon, Office Manager

Michele has been keeping Clearzoning running efficiently for over 11 years with her strong organizational and creative skills. Her historical knowledge of clients and projects is instrumental in our firm’s success. Michele handles schedules, corporate and staffing structure, and keeps our financial systems sound. Contact her at Michele (at) clearzoning.com