The City of Long Beach Department of Development Services hired RRM Design Group to assist with specialized planning services, including design review, specific plans, special studies, peer reviews, zoning code updates and other similar tasks. Design review has been provided for projects such as a  shopping center building façade remodel which includes a new sign program, landscape improvements, reconfiguration of parking layout and relocation of a driveway entry and a high profile mixed-use project located one block off Pine Avenue, downtown’s main thoroughfare. RRM also assisted the City with the preparation of the Urban Design Element for the General Plan Update. The goal was to create an Urban Design Element that clearly identifies, for property owners and developers, the City’s expectations for quality site planning, design, and placemaking, without dictating architectural style. The element builds on prior work efforts and uses the Land Use Element PlaceTypes as the organizing principle.