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Benchmark is a full-service local government services firm that offers the following:
• Annexation: Benchmark has extensive experience in the facilitation of annexations throughout North Carolina. This includes full-scale annexation administration, comprehensive feasibility studies, area qualifications, service plans, and mapping.
• Code Enforcement: Benchmark currently handles code enforcement in varying capacities for over twenty North Carolina jurisdictions. Our code enforcement services include training and technical assistance, enforcement of zoning and subdivision ordinances, minimum housing codes, public nuisance ordinances, and commercial maintenance codes.
• Community Development: Consolidated plans, HUD entitlement grants, CDBG administration, redevelopment plans, scattered site housing and infrastructure grant administration.
• Downtown Development and Urban Design Plans: Benchmark is now offering this new service to our client communities. Jason Epley, President of the NC Downtown Development Association is leading our Firm’s effort in this area. He has over 11 years experience partnering with downtowns and communities on preparing development and design plans in urban areas and small towns alike.
• Education: We have experience in the training and education of Planning Boards and Boards of Adjustment, as well as staff instruction.
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS): Our GIS division serves as the GIS department for several jurisdictions of varying sizes throughout the state. These services include mapping and analysis.
• Planning: One of the primary functions of Benchmark is comprehensive planning for local governments. Our planning experience is wide-ranging, including the facilitation and implementation of comprehensive planning projects, development plans, implementation strategies, neighborhood and small area plans, corridor studies, and visioning.
• Photo Simulation Studio: It is important for communities to visualize how they want to develop and our new PHOTO SIMULATION STUDIO can help you do that. What will future development look like with the new design standards? How will our new streetscape improvements look? If we renovated downtown building storefronts, what would that look like? We can show you quickly! Contact Jason Epley, Director of Special Projects, who has over 11 years of experience and expertise in photo simulation / illustration, downtown planning and urban design.
• Permanent and Temporary Staffing: Many times situations warrant a need for staffing for a jurisdiction on either a permanent or temporary basis. Benchmark offers continuing staff support either in-house, or from our office in a “Town Planner” concept. This concept accepts one of our staff members as a planner for that particular jurisdiction. In these situations we can handle day-to-day activities, board meetings, or planning projects.
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