The Central Ohio region is experiencing rapid growth and change. As development accelerates, it is essential that both planning staff and elected officials are equipped with the tools and knowledge to guide their communities effectively. At the same time, as experienced Department Staff, Administrators, Planning Commission Members, and Board of Zoning Appeals Members leave their roles, new personnel are stepping in – often learning complex procedures, protocols, and best practices on the job. To minimize the transitional challenges that come with this turnover, STEPZ offers a semi-annual workshop series that provides planning staff and officials at all experience levels with consistent, high-quality training to help them better serve their communities and make informed decisions.
At STEPZ, our goal is to build a stronger, more confident planning community across Central Ohio – one that’s ready to meet today’s
challenges and shape the region’s future with knowledge, professionalism, and collaboration.
The second iteration of STEPZ Workshop will take place on Tuesday, November 18th. This focused half-day session is designed specifically for planning staff to strengthen their understanding of zoning processes, development challenges, and strategic growth management.
If you’re a member of a planning department – whether serving a township, village, or a city – join us to deepen your expertise, sharpen your skills, and connect with planning professionals from across Central Ohio.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Led by experts in the field, the workshop will offer a series of engaging discussions covering critical topics, including:
- Best practices in site planning
- Sustainability strategies for building resilient communities
- Ethics and legalities to keep in mind while making planning decisions
- Stream setbacks & conservation development
Participants will gain practical insights and tools they can apply directly to their daily work, helping to ensure that planning processes are informed, defensible, and responsive to the evolving needs of Central Ohio communities.
For questions, contact Tunazzina Alam at talam@morpc.org
8:30 AM – 9:00 AM: REGISTRATION
9:00 AM – 9:15 AM: WELCOME & PURPOSE: William Murdock
9:15 AM – 10:00 AM: SITE PLAN REFRESHER: Christopher S. Hermann, MKSK
10:15 AM – 11:00 AM: ETHICS & LEGALITIES: Matthew Koppitch, Bricker Graydon
11:00 AM – 11:45 PM: LOCAL ACTIONS, LASTING IMPACTS: PLANNING FOR SUSTAINABLE FUTURE: Brandi Whetstone, MORPC & Brian Filiatraut, MORPC
11:45 4M – 12:30 PM: LUNCH
12:30 PM – 3:00 PM: DECIDE, DESIGN, DEFEND
- MODEL WATERSHED PROTECTION CODES: Kim Brewster Shefelton, Chagrin River Watershed Partners
- STREAM AND WETLAND SETBACK MAPPING: Josh Garver, Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District
- PANEL DISCUSSION: COMMUNITIES WITH RIPARIAN SETBACKS
- Mayor Ben Kessler, City of Bexley
- Janean Weber, City of Columbus
- Kyle Wilson, Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District
- Kim Brewster Shefelton, Chagrin River Watershed Partners
- Adam Lehmann, The Nature Conservancy
ADAM LEHMANN
Adam leads The Nature Conservancy’s freshwater conservation efforts in Central Ohio. He has two decades of experience in freshwater resource management and holds a master’s degree in environmental science from Miami University.
MAYOR BEN KESSLER
Ben Kessler was re-elected to the office of Mayor in November of 2023, and has served as Mayor since 2012. With a prior professional background in commercial real estate and finance, Mayor Kessler has emphasized sound planning and holistic redevelopment with a focus on neighborhood-scale planning and environmental sustainability.
BRANDI WHETSTONE
Brandi Whetstone is the Sustainability Director for the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC), where she has held various leadership roles over her 15-year tenure to advance regional environmental sustainability initiatives. She and her team specialize in air quality, energy, climate change, the circular economy, and water resources, driving impactful programs like the Sustainable2050 member engagement program and the development of the Regional Sustainability Agenda.
BRIAN FILIATRAUT
Brian Filiatraut is the Senior Program Manager of Energy and Sustainability with MORPC. Brian leads energy and climate programming, planning, and collaboration among government officials and key stakeholders in Central Ohio and across the state.
CHRIS HERMANN, FAICP, PRINCIPAL, MKSK
Chris has 33 years of planning experience in the private sector and city & county government. Chris also taught site planning to master’s students at OSU for six years.
KIM BREWSTER SHEFELTON
Kim, Deputy Director at Chagrin River Watershed Partners, spearheads large-scale watershed planning and projects to preserve and restore the Chagrin River and other Ohio watersheds.
KYLE WILSON
Kyle Wilson is the Assistant Director at Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District, where he is responsible for oversight of Franklin Soil and Water’s Conservation Implementation, Urban Conservation and Conservation Easement programs. Kyle, leads the District’s stream and wetland restoration efforts, works to acquire conservation lands, oversees watershed and project planning, and possess nearly two decades of grant writing and fundraising experience. He is also the Chair of the District 3 Natural Resources Assistance Council and serves on a variety of advisory groups and committees.
JANEAN WEBER
Janean Weber leads sustainability initiatives at Columbus Water & Power, developing stormwater policy and green infrastructure programs, and leading outreach teams for the Blueprint, Lead, and GreenSpot programs.
JOSH GARVER
Josh is now serving in the role of GIS & Special Projects Director and works with various municipalities and county agencies as a point of contact for a variety of District programs and projects. He also works with other District partners to initiate new District projects in the pursuit of improving natural resources in and around the central Ohio region. Josh’s educational background includes a Master’s Certificate in GIS from North Carolina State University, a minor in City and Regional Planning from The Ohio State University and a BS in Landscape Architecture from The Ohio State University.
MATT KOPPITCH
Matt Koppitch blends deep public policy expertise with political strategy, representing clients in development, zoning, and regulatory issues while navigating complex government systems and legislative processes.