Nexus Planning... More of the story.

My Story

After earning a degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Eastern Washington University, I was inspired to spend a year in Bangkok, Thailand living and working in among the urban poor. This experience further confirmed my belief that the fragmentation of society throughout the world leads to a great breaking down of economies, the environment, justice, and the well-being of all.

I have been determined, as a practicing planner and a socially concerned resident of planet earth, to explore how the field of urban planning can make a difference in the lives of the poor. I’ve also been equally impassioned to seek methods and create systemic changes, doing justice to the planet. If Al Gore is right, then we are at crucial time in our existence on the earth. Repairing the damage of the past is of no use if we do not address the patterns of development occurring now and well into the future.


Nexus Planning Services

A nexus is a connection or the center of something. Searching for ways of planning for physical development while vitalizing a triple bottom line (economic, social, environmental), Nexus Planning Services LLC was born. We serve the needs of individuals, professionals, and communities by providing expert planning and development services.

I don’t believe that we must settle for unsustainable patterns of development. I believe that mixed-uses can truly become a reality in our neighborhoods. People can and will choose to get out of their cars, when it is safe, enjoyable, feasible and beneficial. When density is done correctly, with the needs of people as the focal point, our cities we will become great places where people love to be.

Holistic/Sustainable Development

The term holistic is becoming more and more widely used as we’re beginning to sense the interrelatedness of decisions and actions. An example how fragmentation and unsustainable planning wedges itself into society can be especially noticed in sprawling forms of residential development. The desire for larger homes, yards, and separation from urban uses has created a market for the suburban neighborhood. In most cases, this has created a reliance on vehicular modes of transportation and auto-dependant lifestyles. Less walking or biking means less healthy families and a greater tendency to experience health problems; even among our youth and children. This all takes a toll on the health care system and the cost of health care. As we are coming to understand, lower-income families are hardest hit by this cycle of growth.

So what can be done about it? Being an urban planner places me at the center of number decisions and policy discussions. On the public side, many planners are insatiably busy with administrative tasks and procedures. Their ideals and good intentions often have no space in daily grind. More and more, the professional advice from practicing planners is disregarded and replaced with the legal and political floundering by decision makers. The voice of peers is often heard the loudest by policy making officials. And their peers, sadly, are not likely the ones who are most affected by decisions laid down from the top.

Climate Change

(From my opinion article published in the Seattle Times)

Washington State excels in taking on the challenges of climate change. Our legislature has reflected this sentiment in a number of bills being looked at this session. Proposals include a state-wide "Cap and Trade" program (SB 5735) and provisions for small wind-energy (SB 1008).

However, there is a "missing link" which we fail to recognize. One which our state rule-makers have neglected to discover appropriate solutions: The impacts of creeping sprawl upon our rural landscapes. Nothing is more necessary than equipping local government planners with tools to evaluate the impacts of this kind of development. The current environmental rules were written long-before "climate change" was on the lips of the masses and sea-level rise was being considered.

Tools are needed now to calculate the carbon footprint of development and to off-set the impacts. Pilot projects (which the State has proposed) may not be enough. A new, comprehensive approach is needed if we hope to combat what the EPA is now calling a "danger to public health and welfare." The missing link is not at the governor’s office, nor in our individual lifestyle choices, but the unsustainable practices found at our city and county governments.


Policy – Changing the World – Tipping Point

I believe that we are at a crucial point where the decisions we make now will have long-term ramifications on the quality of our life, and the quality of our children’s and grandchildren’s lives. Fortunately, it seems that we’ve reached a tipping point that all ideas are being now being heard, and nothing is off of the table. From mandatory recycling programs, to real and viable alternative energy production, to a national car efficiency program; there is still a huge task ahead, but headway has begun.

CLIMATE CHANGE DEBATE: The missing link!?!

The State of Washington excels in the realm of taking on the challenges of climate change. We are, in fact, the "Evergreen State". Our natural beauty triumphs over many other places and states in this country and the world. Our legislature has reflected this sentiment in a number of bills being looked at this session. Lofty goals including an integrated strategy by state agencies for adaptation (SB 5138), a state-wide "Cap and Trade" program (SB 5735)to reduce industrial pollution, and provisions for small wind-energy (SB 1008) are just a few of what's being looked at.

We're also encouraged to "think global, act local" in our daily lives. By using alternative commutes, reducing energy consumption, and making lifestyle choices which reduce our individual carbon footprints.

However, there appears to be a "missing link" which most of our communities need to recognize. One which our state rule-makers and most local jurisdictions have dragged their feet to discover appropriate solutions: The impacts of creeping sprawl and accumulative low-density development upon our rural landscapes. Of all the work that has been done, none is more necessary than equipping local government planners and rule-makers with tools to evaluate the impacts of this kind of development. The current rules, including the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), was written long-before "climate change" was on the lips of the masses, and the Shoreline Management Act (SMA), written before sea-level rise was even remotely studied. Neither of these Acts expressly address climate change and the effects of the type of development previously described. The 1990 Growth Management Act (GMA) is equally silent.

Tools are needed now to look at effects of individual development. This may be through calculating the carbon footprint of each development and prescribing off-sets. King County and the City of Seattle have taken steps in this direction. Pilot projects (which the State has proposed) may not be enough. Amendments to the Growth Management Act may not be enough. A new, enlightened, comprehensive approach is needed if we hope to combat what the EPA is now calling a "danger to public health and welfare." Our missing link is not found at the state level, or our individual lifestyle choices, but the unsustainable practices found in our local and community forums.