Zia Planning Systems

Staff Profiles

 

Dale Richard Powers, MAPA, AICP is the Immediate Past Chair of the Small Town and Rural (STaR) Planning Division of the American Planning Association. Dale has practiced planning in just about every local government setting, from the fastest-growing county in the nation (Kendall County, Illinois) to small cities in Minnesota. In addition, Dale served on the Clear Lake, Minnesota City Council and Planning Commission.

Dale has over 15 years experience as a development review planner, specializing in analysis of variance, use permit, rezoning, site plan review, and plat review in urban, suburban and rural environments, and rapid growth, slow growth, and negative growth communities. Known for fostering an enhanced customer service focus within the organization, including taking the time to explain in layman's terms the technical requirements of the ordinances; working with petitioners to affect “win-win” solutions; and to bring the public into the conversation on controversial ordinance approvals.

Dale also has over 15 years experience with administration and enforcement of land use ordinances. Known for development of a code enforcement system that generates and promotes voluntary compliance without rancor, with an enhanced public opinion of the department, at a greatly reduced cost to the organization. To date, has experienced over 97% voluntary compliance commencement within 30 days of the initial notice of violation.

Dale graduated from St. Cloud State University with B. A.'s in public administration and planning, attended the Texas Tech University Master of Public Administration program, and attained a M. A. in public administration from Minnesota State University-Mankato.

Dale has taught state and local government coursework at the community college level and has the ability to explain dry, technical planning matters in a manner easily understood by lay people.

Dale wrote a monthly column in the St. Cloud (MN) Times where he discusses planning issues, been published in AICP Practicing Planner and other national planning periodicals, and also has a weekly program on KVSC 88.1 FM in St. Cloud, MN.

Dale lives in Clear Lake, Minnesota, a small potato-farming community (population 500) in the central Minnesota prairie, with his wife of 33 years, LuAnn.