Introducing, Small Bites.
Small Bites is a virtual training series delivering relevant and valuable tools on the implementation of small-scale development. Led by our diverse faculty, they’ll offer expertise drawn from real-life experiences. These one-hour “bite size” sessions are for people of all skill levels, from small-scale developers and local advocates, to policymakers. An opportunity to ask questions is included at the end of each session.
PRESENTED BY:
Policy or Partnership: How Do We Get The Projects We Want?
Presented by Jim Heid
Many architects, planners, and urbanists focus on changing zoning codes to enable their desired projects. But even with new codes, reluctant jurisdictions, elected officials, planning and public works staff can find countless ways to stall or prevent small-scale development projects.
Jim Heid will discuss his award-winning Cottage Court project, achieved through thought partnership, not rezoning. He will explain how community context helped him enlist elected officials, planning and public works staff as collaborators in creating what the community wanted, not what code dictated.
This 12 unit project on just 1.2 acres weaves together three home sizes (500, 1250 and 1750 SF), preserves 13 heritage trees, conceals 22 parking spaces, and creates curated spaces with layered public-private realms.
ABOUT THE PRESENTER
JIM HEID, FASLA, Founder UrbanGreen and CRAFT DnA
Jim measures real estate success by impact, not dollars and square feet. As a built environment entrepreneur, he develops projects that create thriving communities. .
In 2012 Jim launched the Small Scale Developer’s Forum (SSDF) for entrepreneurial developers building community, not commodity. This led to Building Small: A Toolkit for Real Estate Entrepreneurs, Civic Leaders and Great Communities (ULI, 2021), now widely used in graduate design, real estate and emerging developer training programs.
A landscape architect with an MIT Masters in Real Estate Development, Jim was honored with the MIT Spaulding Award in June 2025. Given just 12 times in 40 years, the award recognizes alumni, “whose work in the real estate industry has enriched the profession and whose community involvement has been marked by distinguished service or leadership”.
Jim lives in Healdsburg with his wife, dachshund and the everyday challenges that come from owning and running a boutique coworking space.
REGISTRATION
Small Bites sessions are a complementary membership benefit for Associate and Charter Members. Become a member today! Non-members can register for each session for $25 per ticket.
Recordings will be sent to those who register following the session. This event will be held in Central Standard Time. Details will be sent to attendees upon registration.
Contact
For any questions, message us at training@incrementaldevelopment.org.