About

Diamond Star Associates, Inc. offers advisory and government relations services to various stakeholders, specializing in land use regulation. The company effectively translates government goals through sound land planning principles and project designs for clients. Founded by Donald D. Lamm in 2010, who has over three decades of experience in managing city government agencies, the firm has successfully processed numerous land use permits and subdivision applications across California in the past 13 years. All applications encompassing a variety of permits, amendments, changes, and reports, have been approved. Our services have been well-received by cities for fostering effective communication, thoughtfully resolving issues, and generating innovative project designs for applicants, communities, and city governments.

Diamond Star effectively assembles skilled teams for optimal land use designs and collaborate with city governments. By valuing community views and officials' dedication, we deliver successful projects that boost property values, income, and employment.

Diamond Star, leveraging Don's vast experience in city management and community development, simplifies complex land use proposals into swiftly achievable approvals. We understand and implement city general plan goals, enabling us to cater to your real estate needs. Join us to create successful projects.

Donald D. Lamm, AICP

Managing Principal

Don specializes in government relations and complex land use entitlement assignments ranging from single parcels up to large master planned communities; due diligence investigations; urban master planning; preparation of DA's; and negotiating with public agencies. Don has 36 years of experience managing local government planning, redevelopment, economic development, and building agencies.

While managing city planning agencies, Don was the responsible government official for notable projects such as:

540 acres Cypress Business Park Specific Plan, Cypress, CA- 1982
2,000 acres Tustin Ranch Specific Plan- The Irvine Company, property owner- 1983
South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa- all expansions and tenant improvements – 1986-2009
Orange County Performing Arts Center, Costa Mesa- 1986
20 story “Center Tower” and 21 story “Plaza Tower” office buildings, Costa Mesa-1986-1996
South Coast Metro Center’s- 1.3m s.f. office complex
Creating Costa Mesa’s “Arts District”
Metro pointe Center, Costa Mesa- Arnel Development
Automobile Club Processing Center expansion (700,000 s.f.) and DA's
Home Ranch Specific Plan, 1.6 million s.f. of office, Costa Mesa- 1993- C.J. Segerstrom and Sons property owner
The Renee and Henry T. Segerstrom Concert Hall, Costa Mesa- 2006
The Irvine Company- IAC Communities- 880 unit “Enclave” Apartment complex
North Costa Mesa High Rise Residential Master Plan and EIR- eight 20 story condominium towers, 1,400 units, processed in one application/EIR on behalf of five owners- Maguire Properties, C.J. Segerstrom and Sons, Sakioka Farms, Orange County Performing Arts Center, and Fifield Properties- obtained approval by the City and FAA without any challenge.
Creator and co-author of four Costa Mesa “Urban Plans” to encourage urban infill development without government redevelopment
325,000 s.f.- Ikea Furnishings retail building on Home Ranch- attracted from Tustin.

Designer of Costa Mesa’s city entry signs and intersection street signs.
Seven major development agreements, including the Tustin Ranch, Southern California Automobile Club, Sakioka Farms, C.J. Segerstrom Home Ranch, OC Performing Arts Center, South Coast Plaza Metro Center, Maguire Properties, and others.
Five redevelopment project areas

Don has a Masters Degree in Public Administration; is a nationally certified city planner by the American Institute of Certified Planners “AICP”; a full Member of the Urban Land Institute “ULI”; 2009 Statewide President of the League of California Cities “Planning and Community Development Department”; 2009 President of the “Planning Directors Association of Orange County”; Member- International Council of Shopping Centers “ICSC”; 2011 Charter Member of the Association of California Cities. Under Don’s supervision, his planning departments have won 17 awards for city planning projects, and his Costa Mesa Building Official won “national building official of the year” in 2008. During the course of Don’s career he trained and mentored a substantial number of assistants. In 2010, seven of thirty-four community development directors in Orange County were trained and mentored by Don. To conclude Don’s government career, in 2011 he received the “lifetime achievement award” from the California Chapter of the American Planning Association.

Christopher J. Lamm, MBA

Principal

Chris has 20 years of experience in the Real Estate industry. His focus is on government relations, entitlement, use-permits, land use research, and project management.

Chris received his Bachelors of Science degree in Economics from the University of Southern California and earned a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Chapman University. He is a Member of the Urban Land Institute “ULI” and a Member of the American Planning Association California Chapter "OCAPA".