California Chapter
Orange Section

The Orange Section is a non-profit organization devoted to advance the science of physical, economic and social planning at the local, regional, state and national levels.

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Join now! The Orange County Section of the American Planning Association (OCAPA) encourages you to become a member at the National (APA) or State Chapter-Only (APA California) level. Either way, you will be a member of the Orange County chapter.

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The Orange County Young & Emerging Planners (OC YEP) strives to create a social and professional network among students, young professionals, and the planning community.

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One Day Away from the OC APA Planning Awards Night! Congratulations to Susan Harden for being the recipient of the 2024 Professional Excellence Award! 🎉

Susan J. Harden, FAICP currently serves as the Vice President at Circlepoint and Senior Managing Principal in the Communications Department, with over 27 years of experience in community development, public engagement, and urban planning. A leader in creating healthier, sustainable communities, Susan co-authored the APA Planners Advisory Service Report “Placemaking on A Budget” and has presented at numerous conferences. She teaches a Healthy Neighborhoods practicum at UC Irvine, serves on the Jamboree Housing board of directors, and has been recognized as Site Visitor of the Year by the Planning Accreditation Board. As an educator, author, and presenter, Susan is committed to empowering communities to create positive and meaningful change.

As an educator, author, and presenter, Susan is committed to empowering communities to create positive and meaningful change.

Please join us in celebrating their achievements here and at the OC-APA Awards Night on Thursday October 24, 2024! 🏆

Two Days Away from the OC APA Planning Awards Night! Congratulations to Sean Nicholas for being the recipient of the 2024 Outstanding Mentor in Planning Award! 🎉

Sean Nicholas, AICP, has been a public municipal planner for 20 years, with 15 years being spent in coastal communities in South Orange County. A majority of his work has been current planning, managing projects such as the San Clemente Outlet Mall, redevelopment of the San Clemente Sprouts Center, multiple four- and fivestar hotels in Dana Point, and a regional sports park. Currently, Sean is one of the Principal Planners for the City of Anaheim, and leads the Planning Information Team, which includes management of the public facing operations of the Planning Division, including Planning review of most building permits in the City. As a lifelong Disney fan, Sean considers his current job to be the dream job he has always wanted. When not working you will find Sean with his wife Amber Gregg (CEO of Community Catalyst, a planning consultancy firm), and their two kids (Gwen and Gregg), off on adventures and discussing Planning along the way.

Please join us in celebrating their achievements here and at the OC-APA Awards Night on Thursday October 24, 2024! 🏆

Registration is still open!
Link here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/pnadvn3/lp/f4426a43-9c08-416d-8e80-847103ae07bb

Tickets:
APA members: $50
Non-APA: $70
Students: $35
Event Sponsorships are also being sold! See Registration link for more info.

The APA Orange Section has introduced new individual award categories to honor the remarkable contributions of planning leaders in our community. Congratulations to Mia Yuen for being the recipient of the 2024 Emerging Planning Leader Award! 🎉

Mia is an Assistant Planner at De Novo Planning Group’s Southern California Office. She recently graduated with her Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) at the University of California, Irvine this past June. During her time as a graduate student, Mia served as the President of the Urban Planning Student Association (UPSA) and was an active member in the OC APA Young & Emerging Planners group. She also worked in the public sector as a Planning Technician for the City of Rancho Santa Margarita. Mia is passionate about sustainable development, youth engagement, and strengthening communities of all sizes.
Mia has been a member of the OC APA Board since 2022, and currently serves as Marketing Chair.

Please join us in celebrating their achievements here and at the OC-APA Awards Night on Thursday October 24, 2024! 🏆

Registration is still open!
Link here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/pnadvn3/lp/f4426a43-9c08-416d-8e80-847103ae07bb

Tickets:
APA members: $50
Non-APA: $70
Students: $35
Event Sponsorships are also being sold! See Registration link for more info.

Congratulations to PierPride for their efforts on the San Clemente Pier Revitalization project! The APA Orange Section has awarded them the Award of Excellence - Transformative Public Spaces in recognition of their efforts. 🎉

The San Clemente Pier Revitalization project, spearheaded by PierPride, is a testament to innovative design and community engagement in transforming public spaces. Completed over the last three years, this project has breathed new life into the iconic San ClementePier, a cherished landmark since 1928.
As a grassroots organization, PierPride is rooted in community stewardship. Every year PierPride issues a survey to the community to hear what improvements the community desires for the Pier. These surveys have steered PierPride’s decisions on which projects to spearhead. Partnering with the City of San Clemente, PierPride has carried out the revitalized Snack Shack, holiday lights, and educational signs foster social interaction and community engagement. All of which create a welcoming and inclusive public space.

Please join us in celebrating their achievements here and at the OC-APA Awards Night on Thursday October 24, 2024! 🏆

Registration is still open!
Link here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/pnadvn3/lp/f4426a43-9c08-416d-8e80-847103ae07bb

Tickets:
APA members: $50
Non-APA: $70
Students: $35
Event Sponsorships are also being sold! See Registration link for more info.

Congratulations to the City of Cypress, as well as Shea Properties, LSA, Kimley-Horn and Associates, and Architect’s Orange, for their collaborative efforts on the Square Mixed-Use Development! The APA Orange Section has awarded them the Award of Excellence - Housing Innovation in recognition of their efforts. 🎉

This project directly supports the workforce of Cypress’s bustling business parks by providing 251 high-quality multi-family housing units, which were previously scarce in the area. In addition to the residential use, the project includes a grocery store, restaurants, retail, a hotel, and a future state-of- the-art medical building. The Square caters specifically to essential workers who live and/or commute to Cypress for employment. The development minimizes urban sprawl by combining residential and commercial spaces, reducing long commutes, and fostering a walkable environment.

Please join us in celebrating their achievements here and at the OC-APA Awards Night on Thursday October 24, 2024! 🏆

Registration is still open!
Link here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/pnadvn3/lp/f4426a43-9c08-416d-8e80-847103ae07bb

Tickets:
APA members: $50
Non-APA: $70
Students: $35
Event Sponsorships are also being sold! See Registration link for more info.

Congratulations to the LSA, as well as the City of Lake Forest and Toll Brothers, for their collaborative efforts on the Nakase Nursery/Toll Brothers Project, now known as the Meadows! The APA Orange Section has awarded them the Award of Excellence - Environmental Excellence Award in recognition of their efforts. 🎉

The Environmental Impact Report (EIR) prepared for the project as well as the project itself represent an important achievement in CEQA compliance and the development of an environmentally sensitive master-planned community in one of Southern California’s fastest growing areas. The project also provides nearly 800 units of new housing that will be credited toward the City of Lake Forest’s housing production goals.

The EIR contained a programmatic environmental analysis of an Area Plan submitted to the City of Lake Forest by Toll Brothers in 2017 and was certified in January 2020. The Area Plan was intended to facilitate the development of the 122-acre Nakase wholesale plant nursery near the intersection of Rancho and Bake Parkways in Lake Forest with a new master-planned community that would consist of up to 675 single‐family residential units in five distinct neighborhoods, up to 101 affordable housing units for senior citizens, an elementary school, parks and open space, and an internal circulation system.

The substantial effort that was put into the preparation of the EIR by LSA, City staff, the Applicant’s representatives, the City Attorney’s office, and the Applicant’s various consultants is truly worthy of recognition by our colleagues in the planning community.

Please join us in celebrating their achievements here and at the OC-APA Awards Night on Thursday October 24, 2024! 🏆

Registration is still open!
Link here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/pnadvn3/lp/f4426a43-9c08-416d-8e80-847103ae07bb

Tickets:
APA members: $50
Non-APA: $70
Students: $35
Event Sponsorships are also being sold! See Registration link for more info.

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California Chapter Orange Section