STEPZ'26 for Planning Officials

Strategic Training for Effective Planning & Zoning (STEPZ)

STEPZ is back! This year’s theme tackles two of the most talked‑about planning issues shaping our communities in the Central Ohio region: data centers and ADUs. This workshop will bring together planners, public officials, and experts to explore how these uses shape site planning, policy decisions, and long‑term community resilience, featuring a hands‑on UrbanPlan exercise in partnership with ULI.

Featured Speakers

Charlie Nichols - Director of Planning & Development, Linn County, IA

Alison Goebel, PhD - Executive Director, Greater Ohio Policy Center

Matthew R. Koppitch, Partner, Bricker Graydon Wyatt

Chris Hermann, FAICP - Principal Planner, MKSK

Ashley Solether, AICP - Executive Director, ULI Columbus

AGENDA

8:00 AM - 8:30 AM - Registration

8:30 AM - Welcome

8:45 AM - Keynote: Planning for Pressure Points

10:15 AM - Ethics & Legalities

10:45 AM - From Intent to Implementation: Comprehensive Planning and Zoning Under Pressure

11:45 AM - Boxed Lunch

12:00 PM - 4:45 PM - UrbanPlan Exercise (ULI)

4:45 PM - Closing Remarks

For questions about the program, please contact Tunazzina Alam, Senior Planner, MORPC at [email protected].

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission