CHRISTOPHER COLLEY,
AICP/PP

Principal

Chris Colley is a Principal at Topology who brings over ten years of experience as an urban planner in both the public and private sectors.  An implementation-oriented strategic thinker with a love for conceptualizing and realizing complex redevelopment projects, he is an advocate for affordable housing, equitable development, and walkable communities. 

Chris leads much of Topology’s large-scale redevelopment work, including in Westfield, Passaic, and Morristown.  Prior to joining Topology, Chris worked in economic development in the City of Newark for four years, where he led the redevelopment of a vacant bank into 27 units of affordable artist live-work housing, spearheaded a multidisciplinary initiative to rethink land uses around Newark Airport, directed the City’s brownfield redevelopment program, and conceptualized and designed “Community Storefront” retail incubator program that was implemented across the city.

Chris’ work has been recognized by New Jersey Future and the New Jersey Planning Officials.  In 2024, he received the Distinguished Emerging Planner Award from the New Jersey Chapter of the American Planning Association.  He is an active member of the New Jersey Advisory Committee of the Regional Plan Association, and speaks regularly at planning related events across the State.

Chris lives in Somerville, NJ.  In his free time, he enjoys shopping for books and records. 

Notable Project Highlights:

1.     Lead author of at least ten redevelopment plans that will create over 750,000 square feet of office and more than 1,000 residential units, including:

  • Main Avenue Redevelopment Plan (Passaic) is designed to incentivize rehabilitation and infill development in the City’s historic core.

  • Lord & Taylor / Train Station Redevelopment Plan (Westfield) will create nearly 200 residential units and over 300,000 SF of office space and included extensive public outreach, assessment of project impacts, and design critique.

  • Spring Street Redevelopment Plan (Morristown) led to the creation of roughly 400,000 SF of office space and nearly $10M in public space and circulation improvements. 

2.     Negotiated redevelopment agreements for numerous projects, identifying and pursuing key public benefits like public space improvements, affordable housing, or cultural amenities.

3.     Drafted and defended at least ten successful area in need of redevelopment or rehabilitation studies.

4.     Served as planning lead for RH in their efforts to convert a historic site into a new gallery and restaurant.  Led efforts to negotiate redevelopment plan with municipality, provided financial analysis and drafted corresponding report to support retailer’s PILOT application, facilitated and directed negotiations with concerned neighbors and members of the local historic organization.

Education

  • Master in Urban Planning

    Harvard University Graduate School of Design

  • Master of Science in Education

    The John Hopkins University

  • Bachelor of Arts in History, with a Minor in Economics

    The George Washington University