PROJECTS
Throughout my career, I have immersed myself in the creative science of City Planning & Design. Within this time frame, I have acquired a variety of skills through many projects of different scales and mediums. These projects began in my undergraduate at UMKC and have continued into my professional career as a professional planner.
For more information, please explore my list of involved projects found below.
To view or download a complete copy of my portfolio, click here.
Think Kirksville 2040 Comprehensive Plan
Kirksville Active Mobility Plan
Master Park Plans
Parking Code Revisions
Bloomfield Stormwater & Streetscape CDBG
Otttumwa Water Improvements CDBG
Ottumwa Sewer Improvements CDBG
North Scott Avenue Redevelopment
The Boulevard District
The Troost Trolley District
Philadelphia 30th Street Station
Websites
Writing Samples
Iowa State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) Comment Response
This letter is a response to comments returned by the Iowa SHPO regarding the Bloomfield Stormwater & Streetscape CDBG project's possible adverse effect toward the Bloomfield Square Historic District. Consultation with the Iowa SHPO is required with CDBG projects.
City of Kirksville City Council Staff Report
This staff report was presented at the March 18th, 2019 City Council meeting. At this meeting, the City Council considered a recommended ordinance from the Kirksville Planning and Zoning Commission to amend sections of the zoning code permitting Medical Marijuana facilities in the community.
CITY OF GENEVA, ILLINOIS
Geneva Farms North
Geneva, Illinois. City of Geneva.
04.2021. - 10.2021.
A 275,000 square foot light industrial warehouse was proposed within a non-annexed portion of the City of Geneva’s planning jurisdiction. The roughly 50-acre site would support the proposed warehouse on the northern portion of the property, while a large-scale stormwater basin would occupy the southern portion of the site. The proposed development also incorporated the extension of two streets through the project site, as supported and identified within Geneva’s 2003 Comprehensive Plan. The development was projected to create 500 jobs and generate an estimated $800,000 to the local taxing entities. The project sought the following approvals: Annexation, Zoning Map Amendment, Preliminary/Final Planned Unit Development, Preliminary/Final Plat of Subdivision, and Site Plan Review. Ultimately, the potential end-user of the development withdrew their support for the project, leading the developer to also withdraw the application upon City Council consideration of the requests.
Project Goals
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Secure entitlements for the development of a 275,000 square foot light industrial warehouse and distribution center (Developer Led).
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To generate a development plan that conforms with the City of Geneva’s 2003 Comprehensive Plan (Developer Led).
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To diversify the community’s tax base through the growth of Geneva’s industrial sector.
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Generate jobs providing livable wages to the community and surrounding area.
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Minimize adverse affects to nearby residential neighborhoods through incorporating tree plantings, sound barriers, and earthen berms into the project design.
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Sufficiently manage the increase in stormwater runoff as a result of the new light industrial development.
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Comply with applicable development regulations at every level of government.
Responsibilities
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Manage the applicant’s requests through the land use entitlement process of annexation, zoning map amendment, and preliminary and final planned unit development and plat of subdivision.
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Manage City of Geneva Staff review of submitted documentation and plans of the proposed project.
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Effectively communicate between City of Geneva Staff and the Geneva Farms North project team.
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Review submitted plans within the application to ensure compliance with development requirements.
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Draft a staff report on behalf of the Community Development Department to the Planning & Zoning Commission and City Council.
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Draft and distribute required public notices regarding scheduled public hearings for the project.
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Manage written public comments submitted to the Community Development Department for the project’s public hearing.
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Manage a fair and productive public hearing process for the review of requests related to the project.
Emma's Landing
Project Goals
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Align the proposed project with goals and objectives outlined in the City of Geneva’s Strategic Plan, Comprehensive Plan, and Affordable Housing Plan regarding the development of affordable housing.
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Successfully transfer City of Geneva publicly-owned surplus real estate to the Burton Foundation for the development of affordable housing.
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Provide new and affordable housing options within the community.
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Design a new affordable housing community to fit within the existing character of Geneva.
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Secure land-use entitlements for the development of a 45-unit affordable townhome development.
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Comply with applicable development regulations at every level of government.
Responsibilities
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Manage City of Geneva Staff review of submitted documentation and plans of the proposed project.
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Effectively communicate between City of Geneva Staff and the Burton Foundation project team.
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Review submitted plans within the application to ensure compliance with development requirements.
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Draft a staff report on behalf of the Community Development Department to the Planning & Zoning Commission and City Council.
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Draft and distribute required public notices regarding scheduled public hearings for the project.
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Manage written public comments submitted to the Community Development Department for the project’s public hearing.
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Manage a fair and productive virtual public hearing process for the review of requests related to the project.
Geneva, Illinois. City of Geneva.
07.2020. - 05.2021.
An affordable housing development proposed by the Burton Foundation that was approved by the Geneva City Council in the Spring of 2021. The City sold publicly-owned surplus real estate to the Burton Foundation for the development of an affordable housing development consisting of 45 rentable townhome units. The applicant proposed a mix of two- and three- bedroom units available to families making less than or equal to 60% to 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Upon completion, the development will contribute toward goals identified in the City of Geneva’s Strategic Plan and Affordable Housing Plan, which seeks to create a community-wide housing stock that is 10% affordable. The project sought the following approvals: Annexation, Comprehensive Plan Amendment, Final Planned Unit Development, and Preliminary/Final Plat of Subdivision.
CITY OF KIRKSVILLE, MISSOURI
Think Kirksville 2040 Comprehensive Plan
Kirksville, Missouri. City of Kirksville.
07.2019. - 03.2020.
The Think Kirksville 2040 Comprehensive Plan is a long-range community development plan that was adopted by the Kirksville Planning & Zoning Commission and Kirksville City Council in March 2020. The City hired a planning team comprised of Shockey Consulting and Bartlett & West to help execute the large-scale, eight-month project. The project brought together many sectors of the community to develop a shared vision for the long-term growth of Kirksville. Data used to inform goals, objectives, and strategies of the plan was collected through several methods including: community surveys, a 43-member steering committee, and public workshops. The plan is divided into six main areas of focus including: Community Identity, Neighborhoods & Housing, Economy, Public Facilities & Infrastructure, Transportation & Mobility, and Land Use & Planning. The plan also includes specific land use development policies, a master street plan, and a future land use map. Click here to view the Comprehensive Plan.
Responsibilities
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Serve as project manager for the Think Kirksville 2040 Comprehensive Plan.
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Fully develop, manage, and execute a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process to hire a project consultant.
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Maintain efficient communication between the consultant team and City of Kirksville staff.
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Plan and coordinate all comprehensive plan related meetings and events with the project consultant.
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Draft the master street plan and future land use map using Arc GIS and Adobe Illustrator.
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Illustrate community features and data through the management of ArcGIS mapping layers.
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Draft select sections of text for the plan document.
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Proofread and edit all content of the planning document.
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Maintain communication with the 43-member steering committee.
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Manage and execute the comprehensive plan adoption process as outlined in Kirksville City Code and Missouri State Statutes.
Project Goals
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Develop a comprehensive plan that prioritizes the redevelopment of existing areas of the community.
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Engage all sectors of the community during the planning process and encourage consistent participation.
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Maintain Downtown Kirksville as the center of culture and commerce.
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Recruit a comprehensive plan steering committee that was reflective of community composition.
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Draft a master street plan that would adequately serve future development and efficiently move all modes of transit throughout the community.
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Identify locations for future city parks.
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Address economic opportunities and challenges to ensure community resiliency.
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Identify strategies to recruit new and retain existing residents and businesses.
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Draft a future land use map that balances future development with existing infrastructure, while maintaining community character.
Kirksville Active Mobility Plan
Kirksville, Missouri. City of Kirksville.
02.2019. - 12.2019.
The Kirksville Active Mobility Plan (KAMP) is a rebrand and overhaul of Kirksville's existing Master Trails Plan that will provide a thoughtful approach to the long-term development of bike lanes, sidewalks, and trails, while emphasizing connectivity, safety, economic development, and community health. At the foundation of the plan is a map identifying corridors of focus where future complete street elements will be located. Initial design of the plan has given the document structure to be a "living plan" where new focus corridors can be added and adopted focus corridors can be amended. The plan is currently in development and seeking further guidance from the City's commissions and City Council. Recently, management of the KAMP has been entrusted to the Assistant City Manager as the plan has evolved into a project requiring the coordination of multiple departments and revenue sources.
Responsibilities
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Provide staff support for plan related documents and presentations.
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Develop recommended steps and structure for future plan implementation.
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Identify a series of focus corridors to concentrate comprehensive pedestrian and bicycle investment with input from the public, commissions, and City Council.
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Observe and record exiting conditions of proposed focus corridors to justify recommendations.
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Ensure recommendations remain consistent with AASHTO and MUTCD guidelines.
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Clearly communicate plan proposals though strong narrative and effective visuals.
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Develop narrative to guide future implementation, amendments, or expansion of the plan.
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Create budget estimates for plan implementation.
Project Goals
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Develop a plan to strategically and comprehensively guide future pedestrian and bicycle facility investment.
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Increase walking and biking among Kirksville residents as a means of safe, simple, and efficient mobility.
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Maximize comfort and safety for users of the proposed system.
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Connect major community centers and destinations.
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Promote community health and wellness.
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Stimulate community economic development.
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Use citizen input to guide proposals of the plan.
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Identify dependable revenue sources to implement and maintain proposals in the plan.
Master Park Plans
Kirksville, Missouri. City of Kirksville.
05.2018. - 06.2019.
The City of Kirksville operates and manages eight public parks for citizen leisure and recreation. These facilities range from smaller neighborhood parks to larger regional parks. Plans for each of the parks have been developed in the past, but quickly became outdated. With the addition to a full-time Parks and Recreation Director in the fall of 2017, updating the plans to organize future park improvements became a priority. One by one, with the guidance of the Parks and Recreation Department, new master plans were developed for each park.
Project Goals
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Unite each park's previously developed facilities plan and tree plan into a single master plan for each park.
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Identify park improvements for short and long-term implementation.
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Improve pedestrian and bicycle circulation within and surrounding the parks.
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Improve ADA accessibility for park facilities.
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Collect community input and feedback through plan reviews at the Lakes, Parks, and Recreation Committee meetings.
Responsibilities
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Design the park master plans at the guidance of the Parks and Recreation Director.
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Make recommendations to the Parks and Recreation Director to improve pedestrian and bicycle circulation within and adjacent to the parks.
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Maintain consistent design and graphic style for each park plan.
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Effectively and graphically merge previously developed facility and tree plans for each park into individual park plans.
Parking Code Revisions
Kirksville, Missouri. City of Kirksville.
09.2017. - 04.2018.
With two universities adjacent to Downtown Kirksville, the community has seen numerous small-scale development projects in the older neighborhoods between these areas. The original parking code in Kirksville allowed off-street parking to be located anywhere on the property. This unregulated development practice led to front and back yards being completely covered in impervious surface, which led to widely paved and non-delineated areas between public streets and private structures. These areas were uncomfortable for pedestrians and made accessibility treacherous. Neighborhood aesthetics were also adversely impacted by the practice. The approved code revisions placed a maximum width and coverage area for driveways in the front and exterior side yards. The revisions also limited driveway locations in the front yards of neighborhoods with public alley access. The revisions were brought to local developers and the general public on several occasions for feedback. Ultimately, the City Council unanimously approved the revisions in April of 2018.
Project Goals
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Encourage pedestrian connectivity within the very walkable central neighborhoods of Kirksville.
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Enhance neighborhood aesthetics by prohibiting front yard parking lots and reestablishing front yards.
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Improve stormwater management by decreasing the amount of impervious surface used for parking and driveways.
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Actively engage stakeholders and promote quality public participation.
Responsibilities
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Organize and host community meetings to gather feedback regarding proposed code revisions.
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Create 3D models and diagrams illustrating a variety of development scenarios prescribed by the proposed code revisions.
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Prepare staff reports regarding the proposed revisions for the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council.
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Conduct research regarding the impacts of the existing code language versus the impact of proposed code language.
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Draft code language that achieve desired results for physical development.
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Publish public notices for local meetings.
AREA 15 REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION
Bloomfield Stormwater & Streetscape CDBG
Bloomfield, Iowa. Area 15 Regional Planning.
02.2016. - 06.2017.
The proposed project would have renovated streetscapes of all four blocks surrounding the historic Bloomfield Square. The improvements called for the excavation and replacement of streets and sidewalks surrounding all sides of the square from the courthouse lawn to the property line of buildings facing the square. The installations of bump outs, bioswales, new trees, and light fixtures would have accompanied the project, in addition to redesigning street parking and improve handicap accessibility. The proposal incorporated green infrastructure and permeable pavers to naturally filter stormwater and help alleviate flash flooding. The total project cost was estimated at $3,600,000 with $3,000,000 in local funds being matched with $600,000 in CDBG funds. The project is currently on hold.
Responsibilities
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Maintain local, state, and federal compliance required for CDBG financed projects.
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Collect data for NEPA requirements.
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Create and submit Environmental Review Records.
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Track and submit draw requests.
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Maintain financial records for the project.
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Conduct employee interviews to assure Davis-Bacon wage requirements are being met.
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Publish public notices for local meetings and comment periods.
Project Goals
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Alleviate flooding and storm drainage issues around the Bloomfield Square.
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Increase pedestrian safety around the downtown area.
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Mitigate potential findings of adverse effect to the historic characteristic of the Bloomfield Square.
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Increase handicap accessibility to businesses and institutions around the square.
Ottumwa Water Improvements CDBG
Ottumwa, Iowa. Area 15 Regional Planning.
02.2016. - 06.2017.
The proposed project is part of a multi-year plan to upgrade the water distribution system in the City of Ottumwa to reduce maintenance costs and improve reliability. Water loss is excessive and is due to the old water mains that are subject to increased leaks and breaks, which leads to increased costs. The project calls for the replacement of a deteriorating water main within the northern section of the city as well as the installation of 11 hydrants and 37 isolation valves. Total project cost is estimated at $1,655,000 with the City of Ottumwa matching $855,000 to a CDBG amount of $800,000.
Project Goals
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To increase water quality and the reliability of Ottumwa’s water distribution system to meet the current and future needs of residents, businesses, and industry.
Responsibilities
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Maintain local, state, and federal compliance required for CDBG financed projects.
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Collect data for NEPA requirements.
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Create and submit Environmental Review Records.
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Track and submit draw requests.
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Maintain financial records for the project.
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Conduct employee interviews to assure Davis-Bacon wage requirements are being met.
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Publish public notices for local meetings and comment periods.
Ottumwa Sewer Improvements CDBG
Ottumwa, Iowa. Area 15 Regional Planning.
02.2016. - 06.2017.
The proposed project is part of a long-term plan to upgrade the wastewater collection system in the City of Ottumwa to address Iowa DNR mandated requirements for reducing inflow and infiltration (I&I). The proposed project will complete the rehabilitation of sewer mains in the Richmond pump station basin area. Anticipated repairs include the lining of sewer mains, point repairs, and the rehabilitation of five manholes. Total project cost is estimated at $1,601,602 with the City of Ottumwa matching $801,602 to a CDBG amount of $800,000.
Project Goals
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To alleviate continuing sewage backups in the homes of Ottumwa residents.
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Eliminate and/or reduce combined sewer overflows.
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Eliminate vulnerability to infiltration and inflow issues.
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Comply with Iowa DNR mandates.
Responsibilities
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Maintain local, state, and federal compliance required for CDBG financed projects.
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Collect data for NEPA requirements.
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Create and submit Environmental Review Records.
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Track and submit draw requests.
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Maintain financial records for the project.
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Conduct employee interviews to assure Davis-Bacon wage requirements are being met.
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Publish public notices for local meetings and comment periods.
UNDERGRADUATE
North Scott Avenue Redevelopment
Belton, Missouri. City of Belton, Missouri.
06.2013. - 03.2014.
The North Scott Avenue Redevelopment proposal was a project presented to the Belton City Council and residents in November of 2013. The project was part of a nine-month internship with the City. The corridor consists of both existing and abandoned automotive based businesses, abandoned pylon signage, and scattered nuisance properties along the avenue. The project called for major streetscape improvements along the corridor, the conversion of a dormant rail line into a bike trail, and a large catalyst park and plaza known as “Belton Plaza” at the intersections of North Avenue and North Scott Avenue. Programming in Belton Plaza included a farmers market plaza, amphitheater, and playground.
Project Goals
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Generate redevelopment ideas for the North Scott Avenue Corridor that could be used in future planning efforts.
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Produce a presentation on findings and ideas to present to the public and City Council.
Responsibilities
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Conduct and support the proposals through a SWAT analysis.
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Engage citizen and stakeholder participation.
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Analyze finance options for the redevelopment proposals.
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Incorporate ideas into future infrastructure plans.
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Analyze regional connectivity to proposals.
The Boulevard District
Kansas City, Missouri. UMKC.
01.2013. - 06.2013.
The Boulevard District was the product of a semester long project in the spring of 2013. The project proposed a mixed-use development at the intersection of Southwest Blvd and Broadway Blvd in Downtown Kansas City. The physical location of the project would be made possible by relocating Interstate 35 through a river bottom on the western edge of Downtown Kansas City. The leftover land from the relocation of the interstate would be used to build a new neighborhood with a classic Kansas City style boulevard running through the middle. This new neighborhood would unite the Crossroads Arts District with the Westside Neighborhood that were formerly divided by an eight-lane interstate. Multi-modal transit was another large component of the district. The project was the recipient of the J.C. Nichols Student Prize presented by the UMKC Dept. of Architecture, Urban Planning & Design.
The Troost Trolley District
Kansas City, Missouri. UMKC.
10.2012. - 12.2012.
The Troost Trolley District was a mixed-use and transit oriented district proposed as a student project in an effort to rejuvenate the blighted commercial and neighborhood center at Linwood Blvd and Troost Ave in Kansas City. The commercial center would be anchored by the merging of three streetcar routes into the district where the routes would then continue to Union Station in Downtown Kansas City. The plan converted one block of Troost Ave in the heart of the district into a promenade only accessible by pedestrians, bicycles, and streetcars. Troost Ave traffic would be circulated around the district while also slowing traffic to create a sense of place. The historic Firestone Building within the district would be repurposed to house a streetcar terminal. The plan also included a proposed Kansas City Trolley Museum and the rehab of Walt Disney’s former Kansas City studio on the northern end of the project area.
2012 Bacon Competition | Philadelphia 30th Street Station
Kansas City, Missouri. UMKC.
08.2012. - 10.2012.
The 2012 Bacon Competition requested contestants to come up with a proposal to transform the area surrounding 30th Street Station area into the next great asset to Downtown Philadelphia. A team consisting of myself and three others developed a plan to connect major landmarks in Downtown Philadelphia to 30th Street Station and a new mixed-use neighborhood just to the north of the landmark station. The plan also called for burring Interstate 76, while also reestablishing an accessible riverfront for recreational purposes in the downtown area.
