Friday, September 11, 2026

In a rapidly-changing world, local governments need new tools to prepare their communities for the future. And they need planners to help lead the way. This keynote will present six steps that planners can use to build the readiness and resilience of their communities. The heart of this approach is to draft and implement a new kind of document called a Community Readiness Plan. This is a future-focused, action-oriented strategic plan designed to help communities prioritize key emerging issues and select implementation measures to systematically address them. In this way, local governments can improve their ability to manage disruption in the years ahead. Come learn how to apply this exciting new approach in your community as we work to plan for a shared future!

Presenter: Ben Hitchings FAICP, CZO

Ben Hitchings, FAICP, CZO, is the Principal of Green Heron Planning, LLC based in Durham, North Carolina, and a fellow at the UNC School of Government. He has more than 30 years of experience working on planning issues, and has developed award-winning community plans and professional publications. A former planning director for the towns of Chapel Hill and Morrisville, North Carolina, Ben is a member of the American Planning Association’s Board of Directors. He is the co-author of Managing Disruption in a Rapidly-Changing World: A Briefing Book for Decision-Makers in North Carolina, published in 2024 by the UNC School of Government.

1 CM

Beier Auditorium

Session participants will learn how to scan emerging issues to select priorities for their community and then divide into break-out groups to prepare customized action plans. In so doing, they can increase the readiness and resilience of their communities to manage the future. Presenters will use instant polling to engage session participants and crowdsource priority emerging issues for discussion and action planning. Come join us to learn more about this exciting new approach and how to apply it in your community!

Presenters: Ben Hitchings FAICP, CZO, Kelly Pohl

Ben Hitchings, FAICP, CZO, is the Principal of Green Heron Planning, LLC based in Durham, North Carolina, and a fellow at the UNC School of Government. He has more than 30 years of experience working on planning issues, and has developed award-winning community plans and professional publications. A former planning director for the towns of Chapel Hill and Morrisville, North Carolina, Ben is a member of the American Planning Association’s Board of Directors. He is the co-author of Managing Disruption in a Rapidly-Changing World: A Briefing Book for Decision-Makers in North Carolina, published in 2024 by the UNC School of Government

Kelly Pohl is Associate Director at Headwaters Economics, a Montana-based independent, nonprofit research organization that works to improve community development and land management decisions so that people and places can thrive. Kelly’s work centers on how communities use and manage land amid rapidly changing economies and risk–from reducing wildfire risk in the wildland-urban interface through land use planning, to balancing recreation, conservation, and development. Before joining Headwaters, she coordinated public-private land conservation and public access projects and has worked as a fire ecologist and park naturalist.

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STC Conference Room

Elmore County, Idaho’s geography and natural resources have made it a hub for energy development. This session explores how the County evaluates solar, wind, natural gas, and related infrastructure proposals while balancing growth, public safety, and long-term planning. Panelists and attendees will engage to learn about permitting, funding public services during construction, project lifecycle planning from development through decommissioning. Seth Grigg, Executive Director of the Idaho Association of Counties is scheduled to participate virtually to assist in discussing the financial impact of Payments in Lieu of Taxes and related topics.

Presenters: Daniel Pauly, Mitra Mehta-Cooper, AICP, James Roddin, Seth Grigg

Daniel Pauly, AICP: Dan Pauly is a Senior Planner with Provost & Pritchard Consulting Group (P&P), having joined the firm in 2025. At P&P, among other responsibilities, he has managed complex entitlement projects, including energy facilities, waste infrastructure, and large-scale commercial and industrial developments. Prior to joining P&P, Dan spent 17 years with the fast-growing City of Wilsonville, Oregon, where he advanced to the role of Planning Manager. In Wilsonville, he led long-range planning initiatives, development code updates, and master planning efforts for new growth areas. He also spearheaded the adoption of innovative residential zoning standards and parking regulations. His entitlement experience encompasses residential, commercial, industrial, and public-sector projects. Dan holds a Master of Urban and Regional Planning and a Graduate Certificate in Real Estate Development from Portland State University, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in History from Boise State University

Mitra Mehta-Cooper, AICP: Mitra Mehta-Cooper, AICP, is a Principal Planner with Provost & Pritchard Consulting Group (P&P), where she continues to build on a distinguished career leading innovative planning projects. Her experience includes master-planned communities, comprehensive planning, facility master planning, energy infrastructure, and other large, complex developments such as landfills. Prior to joining P&P, she served as Land Use and Building Director for Elmore County, Idaho; Strategic Planning Manager for Ada County, Idaho; and Principal Planner for the County of Riverside, California. She holds a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and a Bachelor of Architecture from CEPT University in Ahmedabad, India.

James Roddin serves as the Land Use and Building Director for Elmore County, Idaho. Drawing on extensive experience in local government, land use, development, and community planning, he brings a balanced perspective to the opportunities and challenges facing rapidly growing communities. Although his tenure as Director is still relatively recent, James has stepped into the role during a period of significant growth, providing firsthand experience in addressing complex issues related to development, housing, infrastructure, and long-term community planning. He is committed to advancing practical, responsible solutions that support growth while respecting the needs of residents, property owners, developers, and the broader interests of Elmore County.Focused on continuous improvement, James works to strengthen departmental processes, support his staff, and learn from planning professionals and neighboring communities. Outside of work, he is a devoted husband and father whose commitment to family and community shapes his thoughtful approach to public service.

Seth began his career with the Idaho Association of Counties (IAC) in 2009, working as a policy analyst focused on natural resources policy, public lands policy and property tax policy. Since 2017, Seth has served as IAC’s Executive Director. In this capacity he is responsible for implementing IAC’s strategic plan, overseeing IAC’s day-to-day operations, and leading IAC’s legislative advocacy efforts. Seth has a Bachelor of Arts in English from Brigham Young University and a Master of Public Administration from Boise State University.

1 CM

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Join the Beaverhead Trails Coalition for a guided 45-minute hike and learn how local partners collaborated to plan, fund, and develop a successful trail system. Hear firsthand about the planning process, grant funding strategies, and the partnerships that brought these recreational opportunities to life.

Presenter: Jamie Cottom

Montana, mountains, and movement run deep for Jamie. A fifth or so generation Montana, she was raised on a ranch in southwest Montana riding horses, hiking, skiing and of course spraying weeds and fixing fences. Jamie holds a BS in Business Management from MSU-Bozeman and a BS in Environmental Science from UMW. Throughout her career she has worked with various non profit groups including the Beaverhead Chamber of Commerce and the Beaverhead Watershed Committee & Conservation District. She spends her time outside of trail work, grant finding, and project scheming in the mountains hiking, skiing, running and biking in the mountains and around town with her husband, two kids, and extra large dog.

Beier Auditorium

How can communities move beyond stand-alone plans and toward coordinated action? This session will explore how Community Wildfire Protection Plans, comprehensive plans, hazard mitigation plans, and other local planning tools can be aligned to support safer, more resilient, and more consistent land use decisions. Participants will leave with a practical framework for connecting plans and maps, identifying implementation opportunities, and building partnerships across jurisdictions and disciplines.

Presenter: Courtney Long, Matt Blassic

Courtney Long brings over a decade of experience in natural resource conservation, education, floodplain management, and land use planning for Montana communities. Before joining Great West Engineering, she was a municipal Planning Director, gaining practical experience in urban planning, zoning, and community development. Her background in environmental and local planning supports an integrated approach to helping communities align plans and make resilient land use decisions.

Matt Blassic is a GIS Analyst with 8 years of professional experience working with a wide range of clients and communities on an array of types of projects and subject matter. Matt strives to use his expertise to effectively communicate analytic data in the most effective manner, and loves to learn new ways of doing so!

1 CM

Lewis and Clark Room

This session will offer an overview of foundational case law and then focus on recent federal and state court decisions relevant to land use in Montana. Attendees will learn the facts of each case, the law applied, and the decision reached by the court. The cases will be described in the context of their application to local government and planning, and the presenter may engage attendees in discussions of how the decisions could affect such work. The presenter will also briefly summarize some cases that may land before the Supreme Court of the United States in the upcoming term.

Presenter: Mitch WerBell

Mitchell WerBell is an Assistant Professor of Law at the University of Montana’s Alexander Blewett III School of Law. His courses include Property, Land Use, Business Transactions, and Appellate Advocacy. Professor WerBell’s research interests cover land use, wildfire and liability, historic preservation, and the judiciary. Before joining the faculty, Mitch practiced law as corporate counsel for a large public electric and natural gas utility in Montana, litigating state and federal regulatory and court matters, advising on energy-related legislation and rulemaking, and resolving issues involving lands and utility facilities. He is admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of the United States, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and Montana’s state and federal courts. Mitch clerked for the Honorable Richard C. Tallman of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit from 2020-2022. Prior to his legal career, Mitch served as a city planner in Bozeman, Montana, and managed a wide variety of quasi-judicial and legislative applications, projects, and proposals. He received his B.S. from Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina, and his J.D. high honors from the University of Montana. Originally from the Peach State, and by way of the Appalachian Mountains, Professor WerBell has called Montana home for the last 13 years. He lives in Missoula with his wife and two dogs. Beyond academia, he enjoys rowing Western rivers, biking, and live music.

1 CM: Law

STC Conference Room

Have you ever wondered what legal missteps most commonly trip up public hearings? Do the terms “quasi-judicial” and “legislative decision” seem vaguely familiar … or just vague in general? If these questions grabbed your attention, then this session is one you ought to consider attending. This session will walk through many of the common legal issues that can arise at public hearings and how you can help prevent them. We also will attempt to unpack the nuances of common land-use applications and how the law requires your governing board to treat them differently. Hope to see you there!

Presenter: Preston Rutter, Jonathan Spendlove

Preston B. Rutter was appointed as the inaugural City Attorney for the City of Nampa in December 2024. He has a strong background in educating and presenting on local government law and public administration. Preston has advised various city councils and planning and zoning commissions on legal matters, with a specialty in land use law, and presented at several continuing education conferences. Driven to add value to people and places, Preston aims to help communities reach their best potential through his diverse experience in law, city management, and the private sector. He holds a Juris Doctor and Master of Public Administration (JD-MPA) from the University of Kansas (2018)—the U.S. News #1 Ranked City Management and Local Government MPA Program, and a Bachelor’s in International Relations from BYU (2013). Prior to his appointment as City Attorney, Preston practiced law in civil litigation and land-use law, having presented dozens of land-use applications across 11 jurisdictions in Idaho and represented multiple cities by contract. He also served as Staff Attorney for The Honorable Mitchell W. Brown of the Sixth Judicial District of Idaho. When he’s not providing counsel to the City of Nampa, he enjoys spending time with his lovely wife and four wonderful children, and hopes he’ll get back into sports. He invites collaboration to enhance community strength and welcomes connections to add value together.

Jonathan graduated from the University of Utah in 2010 with a Degree in Urban Planning. He worked a short while as a consultant focusing on General Plans and code revisions for rural towns in Northern Utah. He relocated to Twin Falls in 2012, to begin work as a Staff Planner, worked towards promotion to Senior Planner in 2016. Since 2018 he has been the Planning and Zoning Director. As the Idaho APA Legislative Co-Chair for the last 3 years, he has had a steep learning curve attempting to become effective at helping shape state laws regarding land-use and development.

1 CM: Law

Beier Auditorium

A house is more than a structure. It is often the foundation of stability, opportunity, and generational wealth. Using Butte, Montana as a case study, this session explores how historic mining claims continue to shape housing, redevelopment, and equity today. Attendees will gain insight into complex ownership conditions, learn to recognize when technical land issues become equity issues, and leave with a new perspective on how historic ownership patterns continue to influence opportunity.

Presenter: Megan Terry, Julia Crain, MURP

Megan Terry is a landscape architect and planner with more than 16 years of experience in community planning, infrastructure, redevelopment, and economic development. She has led multidisciplinary projects across the West, helping communities address growth, resilience, and public investment challenges while securing millions in funding. She offers a unique perspective on how land ownership, infrastructure, and history continue to shape opportunity and community development.

Julia Crain is the Planning Director for Butte-Silver Bow, Montana, with more than 16 years of experience in urban planning and public policy. She holds a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from Portland State University (2011) and specializes in navigating local, state, and federal regulatory frameworks. Julia has extensive experience in community engagement, land use planning, and planning efforts associated with Superfund sites and mining-impacted areas. At the heart of julia’s work is the operative question, “what do people need to live a good life?” This question and a passion for communities drives her work developing practical, collaborative solutions to complex planning challenges.

1 CM Equity

Lewis and Clark

This one-hour session will walk through implementing Idaho’s 2026 housing legislation. We will examine the operational implications of the new requirements for accessory dwelling units, starter-home subdivisions, and short-term rentals. The presentation will focus on how cities can update comprehensive plans and development regulations by the February 1, 2027 deadline.

Presenter: Preston Rutter, Jonathan Spendlove

Preston B. Rutter was appointed as the inaugural City Attorney for the City of Nampa in December 2024. He has a strong background in educating and presenting on local government law and public administration. Preston has advised various city councils and planning and zoning commissions on legal matters, with a specialty in land use law, and presented at several continuing education conferences. Driven to add value to people and places, Preston aims to help communities reach their best potential through his diverse experience in law, city management, and the private sector. He holds a Juris Doctor and Master of Public Administration (JD-MPA) from the University of Kansas (2018)—the U.S. News #1 Ranked City Management and Local Government MPA Program, and a Bachelor’s in International Relations from BYU (2013). Prior to his appointment as City Attorney, Preston practiced law in civil litigation and land-use law, having presented dozens of land-use applications across 11 jurisdictions in Idaho and represented multiple cities by contract. He also served as Staff Attorney for The Honorable Mitchell W. Brown of the Sixth Judicial District of Idaho. When he’s not providing counsel to the City of Nampa, he enjoys spending time with his lovely wife and four wonderful children, and hopes he’ll get back into sports. He invites collaboration to enhance community strength and welcomes connections to add value together.

Jonathan graduated from the University of Utah in 2010 with a Degree in Urban Planning. He worked a short while as a consultant focusing on General Plans and code revisions for rural towns in Northern Utah. He relocated to Twin Falls in 2012, to begin work as a Staff Planner, worked towards promotion to Senior Planner in 2016. Since 2018 he has been the Planning and Zoning Director. As the Idaho APA Legislative Co-Chair for the last 3 years, he has had a steep learning curve attempting to become effective at helping shape state laws regarding land-use and development.

1 CM

STC Conference Room

Whitehall, Montana, is the location of the world’s first proposed hydrogen-powered business park, with hydrogen produced as a byproduct of next-generation wind turbine technology. This clean-energy model offers greater versatility than traditional wind-energy systems, is more cost-effective overall, and provides abundant energy for manufacturing and other high-energy users. Learn how a rural community is planning economic growth and community resiliency around small-scale, clean-energy systems.

Presenter: Tim Blake

Tim Blake is the CEO of HFI Energy Systems, the exclusive U.S. licensee of Hydrogen Future Industries PLC (HFI), and is located in Whitehall, Montana. Armed with this technology, Tim’s team is developing and building the world’s first hydrogen-powered business park. The project will use hydrogen created from wastewater generated by mining and a next-generation wind energy technology to generate a 100% renewable energy supply. He enjoys time with his lovely wife and family in his downtime.

1 CM

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Meet at Registration Table