Zoning for Your Community Identity
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- Non-member - $40
- Member - $25
Townships across the state are rediscovering the power of local zoning to shape their destinies. With development pressure coming from many corners—the housing crisis, renewable energy buildout, state and national efforts to rebuild the industrial
base, and more—township leaders are finding their zoning ordinances and administration capacity stretched in new and challenging ways. This session will discuss how to develop your community identity and vision, and how to translate that vision to zoning language. We’ll also dive into how to create local zoning, even if you’ve never had it before.
Speakers: Christopher Khorey, AICP, Vice President, Kyle Mucha, AICP, Senior Planner, and Hunter Whitehill, AICP, Senior Planner, McKenna
Recorded at MTA 2025 Annual Conference
Christopher Khorey, AICP
Vice President
MCKENNA
Chris is responsible for overseeing ongoing planning and economic development services in a number of West Michigan communities. He also has deep experience developing visions for the future for communities large and small in the form of Master Plans, Downtown Plans, Sub-Area Plans, and Corridor Plans, and implementing those visions through zoning.
Christopher holds a Bachelor of Arts from University of Notre Dame and a Master of City Planning from University of Pennsylvania.
Kyle Mucha, AICP
Principal Planner
MCKENNA
Kyle is a Principal Planner who provides technical planning, review and analytical support to cities, townships and villages. Kyle has over ten years of experience with municipal operations, multi-jurisdictional cooperation, and inter-departmental coordination for projects big and small, with short and long-term positive impacts on residents and community stakeholders. Planning and zoning topics are such an interest to Kyle that he’s served on local Planning Commission and Downtown Development Authority boards. Further, Kyle also serves on the American Planning Association’s division of the Water Planning Network as a steering committee member.
Kyle holds a Master of Arts in Geography from Western Michigan University and a Bachelors of Science in Social Science from Grand Valley State University.
Hunter Whitehill
Principal Planner
MCKENNA
Hunter is a Principal Planner who supports projects through various municipalities, including plan reviews, community engagement, data analysis, recreation plans, and zoning ordinances. He applies his public and private sector experience to deliver effective public-private planning practices. Hunter is experienced in writing, implementing, and administering zoning regulations in communities of all sizes. Hunter has experience throughout Michigan and Ohio creating innovative zoning ordinances founded on user-friendly and practical regulations.
Hunter holds a Bachelor of Science in Urban and regional Planning from Michigan State University as well as an Associate’s degree in Environmental Science and Society from Washtenaw Community College.
