Background

Carlisle/Wortman Associates, Inc. was established in Ann Arbor in 1988, formalizing a then 6-year old independent planning practice. In 1991, R. Donald Wortman joined the firm as a Principal and Vice-President. Since its formation, Carlisle/Wortman Associates, Inc. staff has grown from 2 to twenty members. The firm provides consulting services tailored to meet the needs of communities experiencing the challenges of growth and development. Among others, these services include community master planning, zoning studies and ordinance preparation, recreation planning and design, and environmental planning.

Experienced Staff

Carlisle/Wortman Associates, Inc. is a multi-disciplinary firm composed of professional community planners and landscape architects with broad experience in community planning and development. The firm provides ongoing planning services to over thirty communities and specialized project-related service to many more. Our staff members are experienced in providing both comprehensive and innovative solutions to complex problems, regardless of the size of the community.

Long-Term Relationships

Our goal is to maintain long-term relationships with our clients. The evidence is our longevity of service, ranging from ten to twenty years, with many of our clients.

Each client is personally represented by a principal of the firm. A close working relationship with our clients provides us with a clear understanding of our clients' needs. We tailor solutions to meet specific issues based upon years of varied and proven experience.

Professional Recognition and Participation

Over the past twenty years, Dick Carlisle and Don Wortman have been recognized with Honors Awards on numerous occasions by the Michigan Society of Planning (MSP) for projects they have prepared. These projects include the St. Clair Flats Management Plan, Independence Township Site Design Guidebook, Alpena River Management Plan, Independence Township Rural and Historic Preservation Plan, Ann Arbor Road Corridor Plan, Independence Township Vision 2020 Strategic Plan, Shiawassee and Huron Headwaters Resource Preservation Project, and Cherry Hill Village Planned Development Project.

Our work has also served as models in a number of zoning publications. For example, the landscape and site plan review ordinances we prepared have been included as a model ordinance in the MSP publication, Site Plan Review and Community Development Handbook. Our work has also been referenced in SEMCOG's Design Guidebook. Model ordinances that we prepared for the Headwaters Project have been distributed throughout southeastern Michigan.

We have a strong commitment to assisting various municipal organizations such as the Michigan Municipal League, the Michigan Township Association, the Michigan Society of Planning, and SEMCOG, as well as the Clinton River Watershed Council and the Huron River Watershed Council. We have conducted numerous planning and zoning training workshops for these organizations and assisted several in planning projects that produced innovative techniques applicable to many communities.

Staff members are encouraged to participate in both professional organizations and civic activities to enhance their professional development and personal growth.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

Carlisle/Wortman Associates, Inc. interviews interested applicants and maintains a file of resumes and applications for employment. Race, color, age, sex, creed, or national origin shall not be considered in evaluating any person for employment, merit increases, promotion, termination for cause, or reduction in force, or any other such action affecting employees.