Our Mission

EPS provides rigorous analysis and insightful solutions to address complex challenges in real estate development, land use policy, and local government finance. We are motivated by the role our work can play in shaping places where people live and we strive to create high-quality urban environments that advance the principles of diversity, resiliency, and shared prosperity.

Our Expertise

EPS offers a wealth of experience, robust technical expertise, and the ability to offer insightful solutions to address the challenges and opportunities of urban development.

Click icons to read more about each expertise

Our Projects

Join Our Team

Join our passionate team working to build, restore, and sustain our communities!
Open positions

Check out our News and Insight

Feb 12
EPS Promotes Julie Cooper to Principal

Economic & Planning Systems, Inc. (EPS) is pleased to announce the promotion of Julie Cooper to Principal. Julie has served as a leader of EPS's Los Angeles office for the past six years and brings a wealth of experience related to real estate economics, municipal finance, strategic economic development, and public policy. Since joining EPS in 2018, Julie has managed a variety of land use projects throughout Southern California, forging strong relationships with public and private clients through clear, objective analyses to inform decision-making.

Recent notable projects include work on two subregional studies evaluating the opportunities for inclusionary housing programs for members of the Gateway Cities Council of Governments and San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments in Los Angeles County, in support of their Housing Element implementation efforts. Julie has also been a leader in EPS's work on Vehicle Mile Traveled (VMT) mitigation strategies, including work on VMT mitigation fees, banks, and exchanges. She has additionally managed EPS's work on numerous General Plans and Specific Plans across Southern California, including recent and on-going projects in the cities of Lawndale, San Jacinto, Fullerton, San Marcos, Lake Forest, Lomita, Pico Rivera, and Paramount.

Julie is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Planning Association (APA), Urban Land Institute (ULI), and Lambda Alpha International (LAI). She received her Master's in Public Policy from the University of Chicago Harris School, where she also completed the School's Certificate in Municipal Finance program. Prior to joining EPS, Julie was an Associate at Development Strategies, a St. Louis-based real estate and economic development consulting firm.

As a Principal, Julie will continue to provide exemplary technical and advisory services while advancing the firm’s successful operations and empowering staff to elevate their consulting practice.

Jan 11
Tustin City Council Unanimously Approves EPS Policy Recommendations to Support In-Fill Development
Thomas Gonzales

In December 2023, Tustin City Council voted to support a set of EPS policy recommendations that could further redevelopment within two Specific Plan areas, one in the historic Downtown Commercial Core and the other along the Red Hill Avenue corridor. The unanimous vote directs City staff and Council to implement specific development policy changes over the next several years, including revisions to residential parking standards, reducing and standardizing fees, as well as streamlining the approval of residential projects.

EPS work on the Specific Plan reassessment studies began in August 2022 and included stakeholder engagement, extensive market analysis, policy review, and a detailed financial feasibility analysis looking at specific opportunity sites within the two Plan Areas. The EPS analysis identified the types of projects most likely to be successful and the existing planning and policy requirements that were deterring investment. EPS then worked with City Staff to align its recommendations with City initiatives and programs already underway or being implemented, including the City’s Housing Element, Objective Design Standards, and other efforts.

The project grew out of City Council request for the Community Development department to revisit the Downtown Commercial Core and Red Hill Avenue Specific Plans, initially approved in 2018, in order to generate more redevelopment interest and investment—including accommodation of needed housing growth—within these critical change areas. EPS was selected for the project based on several decades of experience with main street, downtown and corridor revitalization projects across California. A link to the EPS Council presentation can be found here.

News and Insights
back arrow