Nebraska Planning and Zoning Association

Our annual virtual Fall Workshop is scheduled for October 11!

The NPZA Board is continuing its commitment to reach those who normally cannot make it to the annual Nebraska Planning Conference in Kearney. The Fall Workshop is a one-day group of planning and zoning sessions held in a Zoom Webinar environment to hold you over until the annual conference next spring.

Keep an eye out for the workshop flyer and registration information coming soon!

The July edition of The Nebraska Planner is now available on our website, https://npza.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/The-Nebraska-Planner-July-2024-Edition.pdf!

This issue covers:
Announcements & Information on APA & NPZA Fall Workshops
APA NE’s 6 Year Strategic Plan
Remembering Richard Wozniak
Book Review of Strong Towns
Job Opportunities, Upcoming Webinars, and more!

The 2024 Nebraska Planning Conference included award presentations to some very deserving individuals! We'll be telling their stories one at a time, next up is Vickie Mattox from the City of Alliance.

Vickie was appointed to the City of Alliance Planning Commission in May 2012 and has been a dedicated member of the board since. She has shown leadership on the board by initiating and participating in discussion on agenda items regardless of how controversial or trivial they are. She can be counted on to make a motion or second a motion and remembers to include the findings of fact on which she based her decision.

Vickie does not let herself be bullied by angry or emotional testimony from the public or the other board members and keeps her composure. She believes the Board should be professional in their conduct and explains to the applicant the reasoning behind the boards actions without being condescending. She believes that the board should conduct business in a timely manner even coming to a meeting using a walker a few days after surgery to make sure there was a quorum to conduct business. Vickie has taken time off from work to attend planning and zoning training sessions and has grown to understand the role of the board in the administration of the comprehensive plan and the importance of It.

Congratulations, Vickie!

The 2024 Nebraska Planning Conference included award presentations to some very deserving individuals! We'll be telling their stories one at a time, next up is Janet Johnson from the City of Chadron.

Janet has put the principles of good planning at the heart of her 37 years of service to the City of Chadron. While faithfully pursuing and protecting the public interest, she has demonstrated skillful coordination of work and engagement across numerous disciplines and stakeholders, while relentlessly driving plans toward implementation.

Some of her numerous, specific accomplishments include: providing consistency and predictability for development and property owners, leading and coordinating major city recreation and public works projects, leading the update of plans and codes to keep pace with best practices and community needs.

Janet has also pursued continuing education at numerous Nebraska Planning Conferences and served in NPZA district officer roles, also helping train citizen planners in the Panhandle.

Janet's consistent drive towards action, impartial implementation of the law, and devoted service to the best interest of the community has helped shape Chadron in the image of excellence she herself embodies in her planning role. Her work has benefited the city of Chadron and the planning profession in Western Nebraska.

Congratulations, Janet!

The 2024 Nebraska Planning Conference included award presentations to some very deserving individuals! We'll be telling their stories one at a time, next up is Wynn Hermstad from the City of Lincoln.

Wynn has over 35 years of experience in city planning. She began her career as a Neighborhood Specialist and grew her career and community simultaneously.

Over the years, Wynn has managed redevelopment and revitalization projects from small neighborhood projects to large scale redevelopments. Wynn continues to manage several large-scale redevelopment efforts for the City, including the redevelopment of the Telegraph District in Antelope Valley, the Veterans Administration Campus, and the University of Nebraska Innovation Campus. Wynn was instrumental in the inception of Antelope Valley in conjunction with the Joint Antelope Valley Authority's (JAVA) work to decrease the impact of the flood plain, improve transportation, and spur private reinvestment.

Wynn is also responsible for implementing Lincoln's Affordable Housing Coordinated Action Plan. Furthermore, she manages Lincoln's federally-funded community and housing assistance programs, the City of Lincoln Lead Safe Lincoln grant, and, during the pandemic, the government's related Housing and Utility Assistance funds. Lastly, she was instrumental in developing a TIF-driven residential rental rehabilitation program to increase housing quality, quantity, and affordability in Lincoln's South of Downtown neighborhoods.

Congratulations, Wynn!

The 2024 Nebraska Planning Conference included award presentations to some very deserving individuals! We'll be telling their stories one at a time, next up is Bruce Fountain from the City of La Vista.

Bruce has had a significant impact on the planning and zoning profession in Nebraska. He has served as a planning consultant while with the Schemmer Associates, the Planning Director for Sarpy County, and is currently serving as the Community Development Director for the City of La Vista. In his current position, Bruce has been instrumental in the successful redevelopment of the 84th Street Corridor in La Vista and the development of the Nebraska Multi-Sport Complex, a regional sporting complex that draws teams from a wide region to La Vista.

Bruce has also been an active volunteer in both the Nebraska Planning and Zoning Association and the Nebraska Chapter of the American Planning Association. He has served as a District representative for NPZA and numerous positions with APA Nebraska, including President of the organization. During his time as President, he helped to negotiate the agreement between NPZA and APA that is the current basis for the Nebraska Planning Conference.

Congratulations, Bruce!

The 2024 Nebraska Planning Conference included award presentations to some very deserving individuals! We'll be telling their stories one at a time, first up is Dean Rolls from the Adams County Planning Commission.

Dean was appointed to the Planning Commission in 2004 and has been an active member of the Commission. He helped on committees with updates to the Comprehensive Plan for Adams County. He was active in the Livestock Friendly designation for Adams County. Dean has chaired the Commission since 2017 and was Vice-Chairman previous to being appointed Chairman.

Dean is very passionate about Planning and Zoning, he enjoys the experience and education that he receives through NPZA and has attended almost all of the conferences since being appointed to the Commission. Dean's background is in retail sales as well as owning his own livestock. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Commission.

Congratulations, Dean!

Wednesday morning I took a group from The Nebraska Planning Conference including APA President Angela D. Brooks and AICP President Karen Wolf out to see the Sandhill Cranes we also saw some deer. Nebraska Planning and Zoning Association

From networking and learning to bagging and winning, that was day two of the Nebraska Planning Conference 2024! Here are some of our favorite images from the day yesterday. We'll have more on the award winners soon, but for now enjoy the last day of the conference and everyone please be safe as you make your way home!

Day two of the Nebraska Planning Conference will be in the books soon and we’ll have photos from the awards a bit later. There’s nothing quite like the co****le tournament, which is in high gear right now. It’s been another fantastic day of learning and networking.

Day 1 of the Nebraska Planning Conference is in the books! Here are some of the highlights from today - networking and learning! Nothing better, right? We look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow for an action-packed Day 2!

As you plan for your arrival to Kearney this week for the Nebraska Planning Conference, we wanted to let you know the Sandhill Crane viewing conference activity will take place on Wednesday morning.

We will be leaving the hotel at 6:15 a.m. in order to be in our viewing spot at by 6:45 or so. We will aim to finish up by 7:15 to be back at the hotel by 7:45.

Please meet in the hotel lobby at the front desk and dress appropriately for 30 degree weather and standing outside for 30 minutes or so.

The NPZA Board of Directors is considering amendments to the NPZA Constitution and Bylaws. Such amendments will be introduced and voted on by the general membership at the NPZA annual meeting, to take place during the Nebraska Planning Conference in Kearney this March. For more information, please visit our website, https://npza.org/amendments-to-npza-constitution-by-laws-to-be-acted-on-march-7-2024/.

Nebraska Planning Conference 2024

You're almost out of time! Registration CLOSES TODAY for the 2024 Nebraska Annual Planning Conference, which is scheduled for March 6-8 in Kearney at the Younes Conference Center North.

Register online on the Nebraska Planning & Zoning Association website at:
https://npza.org/conference.

Registration is still open for the 2024 Nebraska Annual Planning Conference, which is scheduled for March 6-8 in Kearney at the Younes Conference Center North.

Register online on the Nebraska Planning & Zoning Association website at:
https://npza.org/conference.

The Nebraska Planning Conference provides top-notch training and education for our state’s planning and zoning professionals and leaders. One of the ways we achieve that is by bringing in well-regarded keynote speakers to the conference. This year’s speakers are no exception! We are going to highlight each keynote for the next two weeks, first up is Karen Wolf, President of the American Institute of Certified Planners.

Karen has dedicated her career to public stewardship and advancing the benefits of planning. She recently retired from King County, Washington, where she served as a trusted advisor to elected leaders for more than 30 years. She has demonstrated her commitment to planning through mentoring, volunteering, and teaching new planners and graduate students. Within APA, she has served in several leadership roles, including the AICP Ethics and Exam Committee, APA Washington Chapter, and CM Equity Credit Task Force.

Additionally, Wolf is an affiliate instructor at the University of Washington (UW) and serves on the UW Professional Council for Urban Design and Planning. She also served as the chair of the Advisory Committee for Children's Hospital of Seattle providing input on the development of the hospital campus. Wolf has a master's degree in urban planning and a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Washington.

The Nebraska Planning Conference provides top-notch training and education for our state’s planning and zoning professionals and leaders. One of the ways we achieve that is by bringing in well-regarded keynote speakers to the conference. This year’s speakers are no exception! We are going to highlight each keynote for the next two weeks, first up is Karen Wolf, President of the American Institute of Certified Planners.

Karen has dedicated her career to public stewardship and advancing the benefits of planning. She recently retired from King County, Washington, where she served as a trusted advisor to elected leaders for more than 30 years. She has demonstrated her commitment to planning through mentoring, volunteering, and teaching new planners and graduate students. Within APA, she has served in several leadership roles, including the AICP Ethics and Exam Committee, APA Washington Chapter, and CM Equity Credit Task Force. Additionally, Wolf is an affiliate instructor at the University of Washington (UW) and serves on the UW Professional Council for Urban Design and Planning. She also served as the chair of the Advisory Committee for Children's Hospital of Seattle providing input on the development of the hospital campus. Wolf has a master's degree in urban planning and a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Washington.

The NPZA Board of Directors is considering amendments to the NPZA Constitution and Bylaws. Such amendments will be introduced and voted on by the general membership at the NPZA annual meeting, to take place during the Nebraska Planning Conference in Kearney this March. For more information, please visit our website, https://npza.org/amendments-to-npza-constitution-by-laws-to-be-acted-on-march-7-2024/.

The NPZA Board of Directors is considering amendments to the NPZA Constitution and Bylaws. These will be introduced and voted on by the general membership at the NPZA annual meeting, in Kearney this March. For more information, please visit our website, https://npza.org/amendments-to-npza-constitution-by-laws-to-be-acted-on-march-7-2024/.

Registration is now open for the 2024 Nebraska Annual Planning Conference, which is scheduled for March 6-8 in Kearney at the Younes Conference Center North.

Register online on the Nebraska Planning & Zoning Association website at: https://npza.org/conference.

Only days remain for you to nominate someone for the 2024 NPZA Awards, which recognize outstanding individuals and communities that have contributed to the field of planning in Nebraska.

Awards are considered for presentation at the Nebraska Planning Conference, which will take place March 6-8 at the Younes Conference Center North in Kearney.

The nomination form is available on our website at https://npza.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/NPZA-Award-Nomination-Form-2024.pdf. E-mail submissions to President Judy Clark at [email protected]. Nominations must be received at the above e-mail address by Thursday, February 1, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. Any entries received after that date will not be considered for award. If you have questions about the nomination application process, contact Judy Clark at 308-535-6724 or [email protected].

Happy New Year, Planners! The January edition of the Nebraska Planner is now available on our website:https://npza.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/The-Nebraska-Planner-January-2024-Edition.pdf

Check it out!

Nominations are now open for the 2024 NPZA Awards, which recognize outstanding individuals and communities that have contributed to the field of planning in Nebraska.

Awards are considered for presentation at the Nebraska Planning Conference, which will take place March 6-8 at the Younes Conference Center North in Kearney. The nomination form is available on our website at https://npza.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/NPZA-Award-Nomination-Form-2024.pdf.

E-mail submissions to President Judy Clark at [email protected]. Nominations must be received at the above e-mail address by Thursday, February 1, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. If you have questions about the nomination application process, contact Judy Clark at 308-535-6724 or [email protected].

Registration is now open for the 2024 Nebraska Annual Planning Conference, which is scheduled for March 6-8 in Kearney at the Younes Conference Center North.

Register online on the Nebraska Planning & Zoning Association website at:
https://npza.org/conference.

ICYMI we’re still looking for sponsors for the 2024 Nebraska Planning Conference! If you know of an organization or individual who would like to partner with us on this top notch training opportunity, please send them to our website: https://npza.org/npza-sponsor-registration/.

The Nebraska Planning Conference is a power-packed community planning conference that brings together professionals from cities, counties and other organizations to provide high quality training and experiences.

And your organization could play a vital role! By becoming an NEPC Sponsor, you would be providing the support needed to ensure the Nebraska planning community continues to contribute its best efforts to communities across the state. There are five sponsorship opportunities and all the information is available on our website: https://npza.org/npza-sponsor-registration/.