New Jersey-based land-use consultancy, Dresdner Robin, has announced that Charles Heydt, PP, AICP, LEED AP ND, will become the firm’s Director of Planning. Heydt, who has more than 10 years of experience in land development projects, formerly served as Assistant Director of Planning. He is qualified as an expert professional planner and has provided planning testimony for over 100 local land-use boards.

In the role, Heydt will be tasked with the oversight of all planning services and the direction of the department. Internally, he will also work to develop staff skills and technical understanding of complex zoning issues. As director of planning, he will also look to develop new services and opportunities for the firm, whose geographic footprint is significant across the Tri-State Area.

“We’re thrilled to announce that Charles has been named Dresdner Robin’s Director of Planning. He is a skilled planner with a unique vision and ability to bring clients’ land-use goals to fruition,” said Fred Worstell, president of Dresdner Robin. “We look forward to the dynamic work that lies ahead for Charles and our firm’s Planning Division.”

Heydt is a licensed New Jersey Professional Planner (PP) and certified member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). His diverse planning experience includes land use, redevelopment, sustainability, resiliency and environmental/natural resources for a variety of developments (including industrial, commercial, educational and residential projects).

“People throughout cities and neighborhoods are becoming more and more connected. They are starting to think about the places they live in and how to make them better,” Heydt said. “We can assist with this sharing of ideas. Through practical experience, technical analysis and creative ideas, Dresdner Robin is well-suited to help transition these places for the better.”

Throughout his career, Heydt, who has been with the firm for over three years, has been involved with the preparation of municipal master plans, redevelopment plans and sustainability plans. He is also experienced in obtaining National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), EO215 (New Jersey), New York’s State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR) and City Environmental Quality Review (CEQR, New York City) compliance. This includes environmental assessments and environmental impact statements.

Project highlights for Heydt, to date, include the Silver Lake Mixed-Use Redevelopment in Belleville, N.J., Avalon Cove Redevelopment in Jersey City, N.J., Harmony Dispensary in Hoboken, N.J., and Toll Port Imperial in West New York, N.J., he noted.

Heydt is also experienced in the permitting process for freshwater wetlands and flood hazard area permits under U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP).

Dresdner Robin itself has been involved with dozens of recent local projects. This includes the repositioning of downtown Jersey City’s Harborside 4A site, for grocer giant, Whole Foods Market. The firm also secured approvals for Jersey City’s brand-new residential development, Parkview Apartments, and provided environmental services at various New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) maintenance facilities amid COVID-19.

For more information about the award-winning land-use consultancy, visit www.DresdnerRobin.com.