Barry Michelson

Barry Michelson is a principled community planner who believes in balanced growth and development as well as community participation in the planning and zoning process.

Barry has a Master's Degree in urban planning from New York University’s  Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service. He is presently a principal of a local neighborhood coalition,  consulting and advising on planning and zoning issues. He has served as a member of the Stamford Zoning Board and presently sits on the South End Historic District Study Committee. He has provided testimony to the Connecticut State Legislature on issues pertaining to transportation and regional planning and development.

He is a founder of a land use management company, a consulting and management company specializing in residential, commercial, and industrial real estate. Having served as an advisor and consultant to individuals, municipalities, and corporations, he is an expert on the process of obtaining permits and has been instrumental in obtaining project approvals for multiple developments. Previously, Barry was president of his own residential construction firm. Prior to that, he served as Executive Director of the Town of Fairfield, Connecticut Town Plan and Zoning Commission for eleven years, administering the application review process, the municipal planning program, and managing  the Town’s Parking Authority and economic development program.

Barry has written Master Plan studies, developed and executed economic development programs, administered programs to conserve open space, managed numerous private and public sector projects, and arranged for the capitalization of projects with private investors and banks. He has obtained grants from the Department of Housing and Development, The Department of Commerce, the Urban Mass Transportation Administration, the Tri-State Regional Planning Commission,  and has planned for and participated in the development and construction of residential subdivisions, commercial shopping districts, and office buildings. As part of his planning activities, he provided relocation counseling services for several major corporations.

He is co-author of the Engineering Handbook for Planners.