STEPHEN ZANK

Education

• Master of Urban and Environmental Planning2009-2011

  Arizona State Universty

• Bachelor of Planning2005-2008

  Arizona State University

Experience

• Sustainable Development Fellow2011

  Wasatch Tourism and Development

  Performed research and developed a report detailing recommendations for changes to a transfer of development rights ordinance in Wasatch County. This project began with a GIS analysis of land use, environmental conditions including wetlands, geology, water table, and other applicable data. The results of that analysis were used in multiple conversations with planning staff and county planning commission members to determine the history of land preservation efforts in the area and to gauge the feasibility of a successful TDR program. The report was delivered to the commission and the chamber of commerce where I presented the details of the study and my recommendations for changes to the ordinance to make it successful.

• Sustainable Cities Teaching Assistant2008 - 2010

  Arizona State University

  During the 2 years that I was involved with this class during graduate school I gave lectures, wrote test questions and assignments, supervised other teaching assistants, and I am currently writing a chapter for the textbook. This class of 430 students was focused on the topic of sustainable cities with individual sections covering environmental, economic, and social justice components. I was significantly involved in developing new learning outcome measures and methods of student interaction. We used electronic clickers to test in-class involvement, exit surveys to measure curriculum, and various assignment types to increase engagement. Overall, this experience gave me a greater understanding and mastery of the problems and solutions that challenge the sustainability of cities.

• Researcher2010

  Sonoran Institute

  Researched subdivision development in 8 western states that was affected by the housing crisis. Made contact with planning and GIS departments to collect data and created a database quantifying the number of entitled lots. It was discovered that there were a few places that experienced significantly more development than others and we attempted to estimate the impact on municipal services.

• Planner II2008-2009

  City of Wichita Falls, TX

  Provided a wide range of short term and long range planning services to promote the orderly development, redevelopment and use of land within the city of Wichita Falls and the extra territorial jurisdiction. This was accomplished by the review and processing of preliminary and final plats, review of site plans for Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance compliance, and preparation of case reports and presentations to the Planning Commission. Consulted with citizens and developers regarding development and zoning along with related land use regulations and procedures. Conducted regular review of permits for alcoholic beverage sales, water sales, transient shows, and signs. Performed Floodplain Management duties including the maintenance of records, reports, applications, and public inquiries. Maintained records and documents to keep the community eligible to participate in the NFIP and the Community Rating System (CRS). Wrote the application and managed a FEMA hazard mitigation grant for the acquisition and demolition of flood damaged homes following a major flood event. Coordinated with multiple agencies, departments, and the media to manage the DFIRM update of the older paper based Flood Insurance Rate Maps. Participated in neighborhood revitalization meetings and historic preservation.

• Planner/Urban Designer2007

  Espiritu Loci

  Designed elements of the Phoenix Zoo Master plan including aquatic exhibits and public spaces. Utilized AutoCAD, Google Sketchup, and Adobe Photoshop to create designs and illustrations. Coordinated with planning departments on land development projects and designed conceptual site plans.

• Assistant Planner2005-2007

  City of Tempe, AZ

  Performed short and long range planning activities in support of the planning department staff. Prepared case report maps using GIS software and assisted with database management. Participated in preliminary site plan review meetings and updates to the General Plan and Zoning Ordinance. Attended Planning Commission meetings and participated in field work and research for long range corridor studies.

Professional Affiliations

• American Planning AssociationAPA

  www.planning.org

• Congress for the New UrbanismCNU

  www.cnu.org