Development & Entitlements
"I can't figure out what the bottleneck is. This project should have been entitled two years ago."
That's what clients often say when they first approach Steve Castaneda.
PRM's developer and landowner clients are leaders in their field. They are experienced with delivering large hospitality, redevelopment, housing, commercial, industrial or complex mixed-use projects.
Yet this time, something is different. It seemed like their project was positioned for success -- but they didn't account for the changing landscape of California regulation and politics. As a result, they find their projects stuck in limbo, with planning staff requesting endless rounds of revisions and information. They're frustrated and annoyed that their teams can't make it happen, expenses are piling up and their investors are getting impatient.
Let's Get Your Project Moving Again
As the founder and CEO of PRM Consulting, Steve has an impeccable reputation as a problem solver. His ability to bridge the gap between decision-makers, government administrators and a developer's technical team. He often finds that there are clear areas of miscommunication or failure to address "deal-breaker" issues. In other cases, he uncovers a hidden roadblock that no one saw coming or prepared for.
Over more than two decades, Steve has gotten projects moving when no one else could. Additionally, Steve understands that labor support for a proposal can be a "make-or-break" factor in California's worker-friendly environment. With strong relationships in the union community, he has negotiated Project Labor Agreements for several of his clients.
California is known for having the toughest regulatory environment for anyone seeking to develop or redevelop land. We support residential, commercial, industrial, and mixed-use projects in California, with specific expertise in the coastal zone. For more than 20 years, PRM has assisted developer clients with guiding complicated, controversial projects through the approval pipeline.
About Steve Castaneda
Engagement with Decision Makers
We can help you engage with both staff and decision makers, ensuring strong relationships and maximizing positive outcomes.
Advocacy & Representation
Engaging with our established networks, including labor organizations, we can lead advocacy for your project at the statewide, regional and local levels.
Application Preparation
Regulatory and municipal agencies have detailed, often confusing requirements. We coordinate with your technical consultants to swiftly address issues raised by public agency staff and minimize delays.
Navigating California’s coastal development challenges requires experience and strategy.
From regulatory complexity to community concerns, PRM Consulting helps leading developers overcome hurdles and move coastal projects forward.
Coastal Redevelopment
PRM Consulting supported Shopoff Realty Investments in securing 2024 California Coastal Commission approval for the Magnolia Tank Farm, a transformative redevelopment project in Huntington Beach on a formerly industrial site. PRM CEO Steve Castaneda led land use strategy, coordinated technical responses to regulatory agencies, and built a broad coalition of support from labor, elected officials, and community leaders. The project, which includes housing for hotel and service workers, is now recognized as a model for sustainable coastal development in Orange County.
Industrial Uses
PRM Consulting supported Hanson Aggregates in developing a concrete batch plant in San Diego County. The project involved strategic land acquisition, complex permitting, and collaboration with architects to design a facility that balanced industrial function with urban aesthetics. PRM helped implement visual screening solutions and navigated community concerns through effective outreach. The result was a high-performing facility that earned an Orchid Award from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) San Diego for its innovative design. Today, the plant remains a vital part of the region’s infrastructure, demonstrating how industrial development and thoughtful design can coexist.
Property Subdivision
Modiv engaged PRM Consulting to revive a stalled effort to subdivide an industrial park property in Southern California into sellable industrial condominiums. The proposal had been delayed due to regulatory non-compliance and lack of coordination among consultants. PRM stepped in to resolve the issues, working closely with engineers and city staff to clean up the entitlement package, revise subdivision plans, and ensure compliance with local codes. PRM then led the project through the approval process, resulting in unanimous Planning Commission support and a green light to proceed. The project unlocked new property value and put the development back on track.
PRM Consulting was an absolute strategic partner and a pleasure to work with. Steve Castaneda’s strategic guidance and deep understanding of land use with community engagement were instrumental in helping secure Coastal Commission approval for the Magnolia Tank Farm project.
Stephen Logan, SVP, Shopoff Realty Investments
Steve Castaneda has provided me valuable consulting services in dealing with aviation related issues in both San Diego and Mexico. He has a thorough knowledge and good insight into the political ramifications of aviation problems."
Jerry Chavkin, Former FAA Regional Administrator & Vice President of Air Operations
★★★★★
★★★★★
PRM has a solid understanding of land use issues as well as a superior grasp of the political considerations that are often critical to getting a project approved.
Marvin E. Howell, Director of Land Use and Planning, Lehigh Hanson Western Region
PRM puts the client first and offers superior customer service.
Ron Hughes, General Manager (Ret.), Kings County Public Transit Agency (KCAPTA)
★★★★★
★★★★★
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