About

Planning-native support for approvals that move.

Saenz Atelier is led by a planner and designer with public-agency experience and hands-on documentation expertise. We bring clarity to approvals through entitlement strategy, drafting support, and graphics that translate intent quickly and confidently.

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Public-agency planning Urban + infill focus Bilingual coordination Los Angeles + San Diego

Studio lead

Aaron Saenz

Planning + documentation

Studio Focus

Agency-ready documentation.

We bridge planning strategy and clean production so reviews move with fewer cycles and clearer narratives.

Feasibility + entitlement roadmaps
Design review narratives + guideline matrices
Plan set cleanup + consultant coordination
Exhibit graphics + public meeting kits

Working Style

Calm, responsive, and precise.

Clear scopes and timelines before kickoff
Direct communication with your design team
Documentation that reads cleanly for staff

Agency Advantage

We know how staff reviews packages.

Inside agency experience means we understand what slows approvals and what makes a submittal feel clear on first read.

Clarity First

We align entitlement paths before full production begins.

Staff-Ready

Guidelines matrices and narratives that read cleanly.

Calm Coordination

We keep consultants and deliverables aligned for review.

Why it matters

Agency experience shows up in the details.

We shape documentation around how reviewers actually read and comment.

Staff comments often cluster around guideline compliance and unclear findings. We pre-empt that by mirroring agency language in the matrix, tying exhibits to the narrative, and keeping the sheet index aligned to the review sequence.

Principles

A modern, focused studio approach.

Clear decisions, clean documentation, and calm delivery.

Planning-First

We identify the approval path early so teams can move with confidence.

Design-Smart

Graphics and narratives that communicate intent and compliance.

Built for Review

Packages that feel agency-native and reduce comment cycles.

Background

Experience, education, and professional service.

Credentials that reinforce the way we build staff-ready packages.

Experience

Public-agency planning + private-sector coordination across LA and San Diego.

View experience

Education

Urban planning + drafting degrees grounded in CAD and documentation rigor.

View education

Affiliations + Service

Professional organizations and community mentorship in Southern California.

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What we do not do

Clear boundaries keep scopes efficient.

We can recommend partners if you need these services.

Full architectural design or stamping.
Civil, structural, or MEP engineering.
Legal representation, appeals, or entitlement litigation.
Full construction management or on-site supervision.

Working Commitments

Clear scope, clean timeline, and transparent expectations.
Responsive coordination with your architects and consultants.
Staff-ready documentation that reads cleanly the first time.

Capabilities

Where we add the most leverage.

Entitlement strategy + approval sequencing.
Design review narratives + guidelines matrices.
Drafting support + plan set cleanup.
Exhibit graphics + meeting materials.

Ready to align your team and move approvals faster?

Tell us where your project is and we will recommend the cleanest next step.

Start a scope conversation