Urban Planning & Project Management Professional

Michael A. Donaldson

Project Manager Land Use & Zoning Consultant Urban Planner

***- ***-**** *.*.*********@*******.*** Brooklyn, NY Professional Experience

Project Manager/Community Coordinator

Board of Standards & Appeals New York, N.Y. 12/25 – Present

• Project manages applications for variances and special permits while coordinating with applicants, board staff, city agencies, community boards and the public.

• Serve as a point of contact for applicants, attorneys, architects, and the public, providing guidance on zoning procedures and application requirements.

• Review architectural drawings, site plans, and supporting documents to assess development proposals and identify zoning and code issues.

• Manage multiple active cases simultaneously, ensuring adherence to deadlines and procedural requirements

Urban Planning Research Assistant (Hunter College) Research Foundation CUNY New York, NY 06/23 – 08/24

• Led field observations and data collection efforts as part of a longitudinal study on urban environmental impacts, focusing on neighborhoods in the Bronx, and analyzed data to inform sustainable urban policy recommendations.

• Contributed to policy analysis and recommendations regarding health of communities as part of a multi-year urban sustainability project.

• Captured photographic documentation to support green space and housing policy initiatives, contributing to long-term urban planning strategies in the city. Independent Architectural Drafting Contractor

Self – Employed New York City, NY 09/16 – 05/22

• Conducted building assessment surveys to assess the energy efficiency and the environmental impact of residential and commercial buildings, providing recommendations for any future sustainable design solutions.

• Assisted in the restructuring of housing and commercial floor plans, focusing on space optimization and energy-efficient upgrades to improve their livability and sustainability of these spaces.

Architectural Building Surveyor/CAD Drafter

MeasureUp Corp. New York, NY 08/16 – 04/17

• Supported the development of Emergency Action Plans (EAP’s) and Fire Safety Plans (FSP’s) for green buildings and various other urban design/sustainability projects.

• Worked closely with project managers and architects to comply with environmental sustainability standards.

Architectural Draftsman (Contract)

MLG Architects New York, NY 10/14 – 03/15

CAD Drafter

Superstructures Architects + Engineers New York, NY 10/13 – 04/14 Areas of Expertise

Zoning Resolution Analysis Special Permits & Appeals Processing Affordable Housing Policy& Sustainable Urban Development Building Code & Land Use Compliance Architectural Review Urban Policy Research Analysis Resilience Planning Project Management & Program Evaluation Field Research & Data Collection (Urban Planning) Community Engagement & Stakeholder Collaboration Leadership & Public Communication Internships

Architect Support Aide

MTA (New York City Transit) New York, NY 07/08 – 05/09 Education

Hunter College (City University of New York)

Master of Science in Urban Policy & Leadership – Completed 2024 Relevant Coursework – Urban Data Analysis GIS for Urban Policy & Planning Qualitative Research Methods Environmental Justice Public Transit Planning Capstone Project – Developed a policy proposal for the mandatory integration of green roofs into urban planning regulations to mitigate climate change in New York City. N.Y.I.T (New York Institute of Technology)

Bachelor of Architecture Degree – Completed 2009

Certifications/Affiliations

Mortgage Bankers Association – Associate Member

School of Multifamily Property Management Inspectors – Presented May 15th, 2025 OSHA 10 – Hour Construction Outreach Training – Completed July 7th, 2025

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