SAFEbuilt, a leading contract provider of Community Development solutions, has recently finalized the purchase of a highly regarded planning & zoning consulting firm. On August 30, 2013, SAFEbuilt officially acquired LSL Planning, Inc. LSL Planning is an organization focused on comprehensive community planning, zoning, transportation planning, and business district planning. With additional expertise in form-based codes, economic development, complete streets, and access management, they have always been dedicated and well-positioned to advancing the science and art of sustainable community planning.

LSL has been in business since 1996. Their expert and professional planners, who have been presenters or instructors at dozens of regional and national conferences and training webinars, look to be a great addition to the SAFEbuilt team. They have a tremendous depth of experience and currently serve municipalities and public agencies across nine states including: Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Virginia, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Georgia, West Virginia and Alaska. The firm also serves as the on-going consultant for over 50 communities, handling development reviews and other projects. SAFEbuilt President, Mike McCurdie, indicated that “the addition of these communities to the 140 public agencies we currently serve will help strengthen our ability to bring creative solutions to the challenges our clients face." LSL Planning will now operate under the name LSL Planning: A SAFEbuilt Company.

The purchase of the planning and zoning business fits into SAFEbuilt’s overall company strategy to expand beyond building department services. “Our clients have begun requesting more and different services from us and we are now expected to provide a more robust service offering to the communities we serve,” said McCurdie. “As we have moved from being a building department service provider to a community development solution provider, we have been required to develop or acquire talent and capabilities in the areas of code enforcement and community/transportation planning & zoning to supplement our building department expertise.”

By expanding service offerings and gaining additional resources and insight from different communities across the country, SAFEbuilt is better prepared to meet the needs of present and future clients. The diversification of services and geography will make both companies stronger. The two companies share similar strong values and a team of professionals that are willing to go the extra mile to get the job done the right way.

“There is great synergy between the two companies,” explained David Thomsen, Vice President of Growth and Acquisition. “There is a strong cultural fit, especially with the desire and commitment to provide exemplary service to our respective clients.” SAFEbuilt, a company with 100% client satisfaction for three years running, insists that the combined client base will continue to receive the same high quality that they have come to expect.

Please contact David Thomsen, SAFEbuilt Vice-President of Growth and Acquisition, at (970) 292-2204 for more information.