Ep 13 From Obstacles to Opportunities: The Benefits of Early Planner Collaboration with Ali Palmer

I Always Wanted To Be An Architect

Choosing to involve a community planner early in your development process can serve as a cornerstone to ensuring that your projects run smoothly from start to finish. When it comes to successful development, it's the finer details that often make all the difference. From zoning regulations to permits and public hearings, there's a myriad of factors to consider and manage. And this is where the role of a planner becomes invaluable. They introduce a level of objectivity, planning, and strategy that can aid developers in understanding the feasibility and potential pitfalls involved in implementing their vision on a given site.

In this episode, Ali Palmer dives into the critical role she plays as a community planner at Kimley Horn. Acting as a point person, she helps developers and local governments navigate through the often complex process in site planning and approval. She advised developers to get planners involved before they even purchase a property. This early involvement allows planners like Ali to identify potential obstacles, such as the alignment of the property's permissions with the desired use. All these insightful tips from Ali emphasize the need to loop in a planner at the very onset of a project, helping developers to consistently ensure project feasibility and smooth execution.

Topics include:

• Why initiating the planning phase early is crucial to a successful development process.
• The holistic nature of site planning and approval, its interconnected elements, and impacts.
• Insights into the hurdles, potential delays, and the timelines associated with obtaining site plan approval.
• Learning the importance of collaboration and coordination in driving success between planners, architects, and developers.
• The influence jurisdictional protocols and community contribution have on the approval process.

Ali Palmer is a stalwart community planner with the multidisciplinary consulting firm, Kimley Horn. Based in their Tallahassee office, Ali has an extensive history of working alongside local governments and consultants across Florida for nearly two decades. With a clear knack for identifying potential pitfalls even before property purchase, Ali's early involvement in development plans has consistently led to streamlined processes and success stories. Ali's interdisciplinary knowledge spanning from transportation to environmental planning, positions her as a trusted authority in managing the intricate puzzle of development approvals.
Resources Mentioned:

• Kimley-Horn: https://www.kimley-horn.com/
• Podcast: https://www.theschimgroup.com/podcast
• Email: [e-mail]