Ben Patton, AICP, Mr. Patton joined the firm in August of 2010 as the Senior Planning Advisor.  He utilizes his diverse experience in urban planning and zoning to promote development projects throughout the greater Phoenix region.  Frequently applying "smart growth" practices, Ben focuses his efforts on partnerships with local community leaders to promote urban infill, revitalization and adaptive reuse projects.  With over 13 years in the field of planning and zoning, Ben has served as an employee for various private-sector firms including architects, attorneys and engineers, and also spent time in the public sector as a community planner for cities and counties. 

 Recently, Mr. Patton served as the Neighborhood Planner for Mesa, Arizona, as urban planner for two large law firms, and as the zoning advisor for DFD CornoyerHedrick architects.  During much of Ben's time as a professional, he has sought to bridge the gap between public processes and private-sector needs to identify regulatory methods through which challenging development concepts might become viable development opportunities.  Most recently, while representing developers, Ben has worked with staff and elected officials for cities in Arizona to promote the planning, zoning and design of over 60 urban infill and mixed-use projects. 

PRACTICE AREAS / AREAS OF EXPERTISE

•   Zoning and Land Use

•   Code Violation Matters

•   Real Estate Transactions

•   Post Entitlement Permitting

•   Infrastructure Planning

•   Public Utility Matters

EDUCATION / HONORS

•   B.A. degree from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

•   M.C.R.P. Master of Community and Regional Planning degree from Iowa State University,

     Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society 

PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS

•   Chair, City/County Committee of Valley Partnership

•   Member, Discovery Triangle Planning and Development Committee

•   Member, Alhambra Village Planning Committee

•   Member, City of Phoenix Development Advisory Board (DAB)

•   Chair, City of Phoenix Design Review Committee (DRSC)

•   Member, American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)

•   Member, American Planning Association (APA)

•   Member, Phoenix Development Services Review Committee (2009)

•   Member, Phoenix General Plan Advisory Committee (2008-9)

•   Participant, City of Phoenix Adaptive Reuse Task Force (2008)

•   Member, Urban Land Institute; AZ One Participant (2008)

•   Member, Phoenix Community Alliance (PCA)(2005-current)

•   Member, Encanto Village Planning Committee (2002-2004)

HOBBIES

•  Ben and his wife Melanie have three children, Lukas, Meredith and Abigail. He enjoys spending time watching his children’s basketball, gymnastics and karate activities 

•  Ben is an active sports fan, and also enjoys hiking and biking the Phoenix Mountain Preserve