Elisa Mikiten M.C.P.Principal Planner, Elisa Mikiten, M.C.P., has over 20 years experience in private and public development, redevelopment, and historic preservation. She served six years on Berkeley's Zoning Adjustment Board and three years on Albany's Planning Commission.
She understands our community and its leadership, and she knows what business and property owners need to thrive. She’s available to discuss your project, and set you on a path toward approval. EducationBA in Architecture - University of California at Berkeley
Master of City Planning - University of California at Berkeley CredentialsFormer Commissioner: Berkeley Zoning Adjustments Board
Former Commissioner: Albany Planning Commission Board Member - East Bay Waldorf School Staff Advance Planner for City of Alameda for 5 years Additional ExperienceElisa Mikiten co-founded Mikiten Architecture in 1991, and is trained both in architecture and urban planning. She worked for the City of Alameda Development Services Department for six years and has an intimate knowledge of the planning process. She was the Project Manager for Dignity Commons, the rehabilitation of 28 units of housing on Alameda Point for Operation Dignity. She has also consulted for the Alameda Point Collaborative.
Ms. Mikiten has worked in architecture and planning since 1988. She has focused on Universal Design throughout her career, and has redesigned many apartment units for accessibility with the City of Oakland’s Tenant Access Program. She authored an innovative technical guide to barrier-free transportation facilities for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, published “A Consumer’s Guide to Home Adaptation” for the Massachusetts Housing Partnership, and conducted seminars on state and federal access issues for architects and developers. She has helped form two non-profit agencies, including Affordable Housing Associates in Berkeley. Universal DesignElisa has a strong background in Universal Design - the creation of buildings and places that are usable to all people, at all times in their lives. She authored the following publications in that field:
Guide to Access — Boston, MA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Elisa Mikiten developed a comprehensive technical guide to building barrier-free transportation facilities. Merged federal and state law with authority’s construction standards. The guide is used by architects, engineers and construction managers on all of Boston’s transit station remodels. "Workshop for Architects and Building Inspectors" — Boston, MA Massachusetts Architectural Access Board Elisa Mikiten designed a professional workshop on the State of Massachusetts’ accessibility regulations. The workshop was conducted by the Architectural Access Board, Massachusetts’ regulating authority. Ms. Mikiten designed the curriculum and the teaching tools, included design sketch problems, plan reviews, and an original slide show, Inspecting for Access. “A Consumer's Guide to Home Adaptation” — Boston, MA Massachusetts Housing Partnership Elisa Mikiten authored a consumers’ workbook illustrating solutions to common home architectural barriers. ATBCB Checklist — Washington, D.C. Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (ATBCB) Elisa Mikiten wrote a site survey checklist for accessibility, which was distributed by the ATBCB until the development of the ADA guidelines. |
“If you’re headed for a Public Hearing, you want Elisa representing you. Her reputation with Staff and the Zoning Adjustments Board goes a long way toward getting the vote you need when you need it. One of the best decisions I’ve made was to let her handle our entitlements.
— Jonah Hendrickson, Berkeley Developer “Working with a compressed timeline, the folks at Mikiten made what could have been a painful and time consuming permitting adventure, a more manageable and straight forward process. We could not have met our deadline without their guidance. — Charles Marino of Powis Parker Inc. “Elisa managed the development of our offices. Whenever I drive past that successful project, I remember how in sync Elisa was, and how smoothly everything flowed, from concept to construction. — Dona Hoard, Former Director of Community Development, City of Alameda |
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Mikiten Land Use Consulting | Elisa Mikiten M.C.P. | Tel: 510.990.6965 | Email Us
