Joel Russell

Joel is a planning consultant and land use attorney and Principal of Joel Russell Associates in Northampton, MA.  Joel served as FBCI’s executive director during 2014-2015, after more than 25 years as a planning consultant and attorney, writing pioneering zoning codes aimed at implementing principles of sustainable development that included form-based codes. His consulting practice specialized in smart growth, traditional urbanism, public participation, and rural land preservation. He co-authored his first form-based code in 1992 in collaboration with the firm of Duany Plater-Zyberk and joined the Congress for the New Urbanism in 1993. Since then, he has drafted over a dozen form-based codes, co-authoring with Torti Gallas and Partners the Wyandanch, NY Code that won the 2013 Driehaus Award from FBCI. Joel has served numerous municipalities as a consultant and attorney, as well as land trusts, developers, landowners, and non-profit organizations. He co-founded the Dutchess Land Conservancy (NY) in 1985 and served as Executive Director. Joel received a B.A. from Harvard College and a Master’s in Urban Affairs and J.D. from Boston University.