The Bookin Group, LLC
ABOUT US
Six decades of combined experience. The professional planners at The Bookin Group have the knowledge, experience and skills necessary to assist you with your development project - no matter the size or complexity.
Beverly Bookin, AICP
Founder & Senior Principal
With over 35 years of experience as an urban planner and policy analyst, Beverly has brought her technical expertise and professional acumen to the aid of nearly every major institution and government entity in the Portland Metro Region.
As the “go-to” consultant for most of the region’s major health care facilities, schools, and colleges, Beverly is adept at helping organizations develop a strategic plan to allow their campuses to adapt and grow, and then obtaining the necessary land use entitlements to make that growth a reality.
Local jurisdictions have also drawn on Beverly’s highly-respected professional knowledge to update their own regulations. Her insightful policy analysis allows her to strike a balance between public need, community values, and private development goals. In this role, she has prepared new zoning ordinances for the cities of Portland and Beaverton, as well as complete revisions to the development codes for the cities of Tigard, Hillsboro, and Vancouver, Washington.
Chris Hagerman, PhD, AICP
Principal & Senior Planner
Chris joined The Bookin Group as a Senior Planner in 2011, bringing his land use knowledge and problem-solving abilities to the firm. He’s played a variety of roles on development teams, helping them navigate the regulatory landscape, and our clients know to turn to Chris when issues arise or their projects get stuck. His ability to create amicable, professional relationships with city reviewers is the key to finding workable solutions.
Working previously for the City of Portland, Chris reviewed land use reviews for the Bureau of Development Services and then developed new regulations related to environmental policy within the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability. This breadth of knowledge in code implementation, land use planning, and policy development gives him a sophisticated understanding of both the inner workings of local government and the practices of city reviewers.
With a background in higher education at the University of Minnesota, Portland State University, and Clark College, Chris draws on his research and teaching experience to communicate complex ideas to a broad audience.
Debbie Cleek, LEED AP
Principal & Senior Planner
In practice since 1993, Debbie specializes in land use entitlements, permit review and project management. She is known for her organized approach to projects and ability to identify and tackle the critical tasks needed to reach a successful conclusion.
Previously with the City of Portland, Debbie was the Team Leader for the Land Division Team affording her inside knowledge about the codes and culture at the Bureau of Development Services. In addition, she worked for three years as the Bureau’s Green Building Specialist, collaborating with the service bureaus and development community to create programs that encourage more sustainable development practices.
Her extensive experience with the plan review process, working on both sides of the counter, helps her strategize with clients to shave off review time and reduce permit costs. She’s also adept at explaining complex land use procedures and technical requirements in understandable terms, to help clients navigate the approval process.