Karen Martin is a distinguished leader in the fields of urban planning, land use policy, and entitlement consulting, bringing over 30 years of professional experience to her work in both the public and private sectors. As Principal of Pacific Planning Group, Inc.—a firm she founded in 1999 and now leads in a part-time advisory capacity—Karen has played an integral role in shaping community development across California and nationally. Her career is marked by a deep commitment to responsible land use, inclusive planning, and the strategic coordination of entitlement processes to support sustainable, economically vibrant communities.
Karen built Pacific Planning Group into a trusted boutique firm specializing in zoning, permitting, public notices, and policy analysis for a broad range of clients, including cities, school districts, utilities, and private developers. Notable projects have involved collaboration with the City of San Francisco, Long Beach Unified School District, Black & Veatch, and T-Mobile, among many others. In 2005, she launched NotificationMaps.com, an innovative service born out of necessity to streamline regulatory communication and compliance—providing mapping and public notification services that now support projects nationwide.
Her extensive portfolio spans commercial redevelopment, transitional housing, mixed-use receivership sales, and large-scale infrastructure initiatives. For example, she has served as a development consultant for partition-in-kind real estate proceedings, led entitlement coordination for a national homebuilding company, and advised agricultural landowners on residential conversion strategies. She also spent time as Principal of Entitlements at PlaceWorks, a leading planning and design firm.
Karen’s strengths include urban design, project management, grant acquisition, community engagement, and sustainable development. A natural consensus builder, she has successfully mediated high-stakes, often controversial planning efforts—working closely with elected officials, city staff, neighborhood organizations, engineers, and regulatory agencies. Her work in grant-funded redevelopment and historic preservation has helped secure funding for projects ranging from warehouse job hubs to façade improvements and transitional shelters.
She holds both a Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning and a Bachelor’s in Environmental Analysis and Design from the University of California, Irvine, where she also contributed as a board member of the Urban Planning Alumni Association. Her academic training and field experience have enabled her to balance systems-level thinking with on-the-ground implementation.
Karen is also a passionate civic leader. She has contributed to community service through board and committee roles with Straight Talk Counseling, Koinonia, HomeAid, and Mercy House, as well as previous appointments to the City of Laguna Beach’s Housing and Human Services Committee, Open Space Commission, and Affordable Housing Task Force. She has moderated industry panels—such as the Association of Corporate Real Estate Executives’ “Turning Green to Gold”—and remains a vocal advocate for green building and transitional housing initiatives.
Now consulting selectively, Karen is pursuing board opportunities where she can contribute meaningfully to mission-driven organizations. She offers a unique combination of technical expertise, policy fluency, and ethical leadership—ideal for organizations navigating complex development landscapes or aiming to integrate sustainability and community input into strategic planning.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Karen enjoys gardening and rescuing huskies, a reflection of her compassion and lifelong dedication to nurturing environments—whether urban, natural, or personal.
Karen Martin is not just a planning expert—she’s a bridge-builder, strategic thinker, and community champion committed to advancing equitable, forward-thinking development.
Character: Karen Martin exemplifies integrity, compassion, and a deep commitment to community service through her work and personal values.
Knowledge: With over 30 years of experience in urban planning and entitlement, she possesses expert-level knowledge in land use, site planning, and regulatory processes.
Strategic: Karen brings a forward-thinking, solution-oriented approach to complex development challenges, ensuring projects align with both regulatory requirements and community needs.
Communication: She is a confident and effective communicator, experienced in public speaking, city council engagement, and cross-sector collaboration.
