KATHERINE COLES
Planner
Phoenix,AZ
Summary
Organized and results-oriented Planner excels at seeing big picture and creating plans to achieve planning objectives. Adept at identifying policy and regulatory mechanisms to deliver positive outcomes for government and the public. Possesses strong communication, public engagement and problem-solving skills.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Planner III
City of Phoenix Aviation Department, Planning & Environmental Division
Phoenix, AZ
10.2018 - Current
- Managed three-person professional team in the Planning Section
- Co-managed PHX Land Reuse Strategy Phase II: 2018 - 2020 (Implementation) pilot/ demonstration project funded by the Federal Aviation Administration
- Served as liaison to the Planning & Development Department for Aviation land use related matters
- Manage project controls for airport regulatory environmental compliance activities associated with stormwater management, aircraft potable water quality, air quality, hazardous waste and underground storage tanks (fuel)
- Manage preparation of project scopes with on-call consultants and manage compliance with contract requirements and notices to proceed.
Planner III/TOD & Light Rail
City of Phoenix Planning & Development Department
Phoenix, AZ
11.2016 - 10.2018
- Managed three-person professional team, including Village Planner (Central City and Encanto), Planner II (Light Rail) and Planner I
- Responsible for coordination and consultation with multiple disciplines (internal and external) and internal departments and external agencies
- Monitored development activity along existing and planned light rail corridors and worked with developers and development teams to ensure a walkable urban environment, consistency with adopted codes and policy plans
- Consulted with Real Estate Division regarding property acquisition and establishment of easements
- Managed comprehensive updates to form-based / walkable urban code chapters in Zoning Ordinance
- Provided functional expertise regarding land use and policy plans for various transportation initiatives within city
- Served as city of Phoenix representative on the Maricopa Association of Governments’ (MAG) Active Transportation Committee (formerly Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee).
- South Central Light Rail Extension Station Area Planning - Managed land planning and urban design activities for South Central Light Rail Corridor under grant from the Federal Transit Administration.
- PHX Land Reuse Strategy Phase I: 2015-2018 – Served as Planning and Development Department’s functional expertise representative for the FAA-funded PHX Land Reuse Strategy for properties acquired in noise-impacted areas west of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Reuse Strategy is funded through a pilot program established under the FAA Modernization and Reform Act to encourage airport compatible land uses and generate economic benefits to the airport operator and adjacent community.
- PHX Land Reuse Strategy Phase II: 2018 - 2020 (Implementation) – Assisted with preparation of scope of work for Request for Proposals to prepare the implementation phase. Served on consultant selection panel. Served as Planning and Development Department’s functional expertise representative for the implementation phase.
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport Comprehensive Asset Management Plan (CAMP) - Served as Planning and Development Department’s representative for Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport Comprehensive Asset Management Plan (CAMP) to guide future facilities development at the airport. Provided functional expertise for maximizing land development opportunities, and for addressing how the airport can provide efficient and diverse regional and local access.
Planner II/ Village Planner
City of Phoenix Planning & Development Department
Phoenix, AZ
03.1997 - 11.2016
- Planning, Zoning, Land Use and Development – Prepared detailed staff reports with analysis and recommendations for zoning, general plan and design review entitlements. Prepared and conducted graphic presentations regarding entitlement recommendations and other topics with civic and neighborhood groups, Village Planning Committees, Steering Committees, Planning Commission, City Council Subcommittees and City Council.
- Initiated and managed policy recommendations for interdepartmental and city-wide efficiency, particularly with current/long range planning and the development process. Conducted research and due diligence for land use law related matters with the Law Department.
- Managed, supervised and staffed meetings of two 21-member Village Planning Committees and five ReinventPHX Transit Oriented Development District Steering Committees. Supervision responsibilities included: providing direction for committee work programs and ensuring committee members’ adherence to Open Meeting Law, and City policies and procedures. Coordinated planning, development and programming activities with community, developers, Council, staff and other City departments, including Street Transportation, Neighborhood Services, Transit, Water Services, Public Works, Housing, Law, Office of Arts and Culture, Aviation, and Community and Economic Development.
- ReinventPHX - Co-managed $2.9 million U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grant funded ReinventPHX Project to establish transit oriented development district plans and new best practice form-based regulatory zoning code for the city’s light rail station areas. Responsibilities included: research, coordination with myriad disciplines (engineering, financing, design) that comprised the design consultant team, intradepartmental and interagency coordination, facilitation of three Community Design Charrettes, presentations at dozens of business and community meetings, preparation and adoption of five TOD District Policy Plans. On-going implementation of ReinventPHX Transit Oriented Development policy plans.
- Managed and prepared long range plans, including North Mountain Industrial and Commercial Area Study, Arcadia Camelback Special Planning District Plan and update of Camelback East Primary Core Specific Plan. Developed recommendations and negotiated terms for rezoning and General Plan amendment applications.
- Served as the City's representative (2 years as Chair) on the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) Active Transportation (formerly Bicycle and Pedestrian) Committee, providing policy guidance to the region's multi-modal transportation facilities and making recommendations for Federal funding expenditures. Prepared, reviewed and ranked numerous grant applications for design assistance and enhancement funds for City pedestrian and bicycle projects (e.g. Camelback Road & 24th Street Design Assistance, Camelback Road Pedestrian Underpass, Roosevelt Row Design Assistance, Van Buren Corridor Design Assistance and Missouri Avenue Bicycle Improvements Design Assistance). Worked with MAG to revise funding applications for Transportation Alternatives and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grants to add evaluative criteria tied to Council adopted plans and policies as well as identified capital improvements funding. Reviewed and ranked dozens of Statements of Qualifications submittals from consultants for on-call bicycle and pedestrian projects.
- Provided assistance for drafting of Requests for Proposals for various City projects for planning of transit corridors (ReinventPHX), affordable housing (CHOICE Neighborhoods) and economic development (4th Avenue & Fillmore Street). Served as a member of the review/selection panels for consultant/development team selection for Broadstone Arts Government Property Lease Excise Tax (GPLET), Affordable Housing Call for Interest, and the Airport Compatible Land Reuse Strategy. Assisted with drafting of the scope of work tasks for the Airport Compatible Land Reuse Strategy consultant team. Reviewed and recommended the selected consultant team for Phase 2 of the Airport Compatible Land Reuse Strategy.
- Initiated and conducted infrastructure discussions for design, funding and implementation of an alternate access road (33rd/35th Avenues) to the residential area west of Interstate 17, north of Happy Valley Road and south of Central Arizona Project canal, requiring coordination with Street Transportation, Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), private property owners and Solid Waste division of the Public Works Department. Facilitated discussions with developers to construct street improvements for all modes (vehicular, pedestrian, bicyclist and transit) when land use entitlements are sought.
Education
Bachelor of Arts -
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IAMaster of Environmental Planning -
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZSkills
Urban Land Use Planning
undefinedAccomplishments
Arizona Planning Association Award – Master Plan Project Study (2015)
ReinventPHX TOD Policy Plans
Arizona Forward Award of Merit (2015)
ReinventPHX TOD Policy Plans
City Manager Letter of Appreciation (2011)
24th Street and Camelback Road Water Infrastructure Improvement Project
Camelback East Village Planning Committee Recognition (2009)
10+ Years of Service as Village Planner
City of Phoenix Planning Department, Director’s Team Excellence Award (2006)
Camelback East Primary Core Plan Update
Affiliations
American Planning Association
Arizona Planning Association
Timeline
Planner III
City of Phoenix Aviation Department, Planning & Environmental Division
10.2018 - Current
Planner III/TOD & Light Rail
City of Phoenix Planning & Development Department
11.2016 - 10.2018
Planner II/ Village Planner
City of Phoenix Planning & Development Department
03.1997 - 11.2016
Bachelor of Arts -
University of Iowa
Master of Environmental Planning -
Arizona State University
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