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"Build a strong relationship between your planning and finance departments."


“Become friends with your finance director.” Amusing, yet very sound advice, from Shayne Kavanagh who served on a diverse panel that share experiences, insights, and guidance on how to make land use policy decisions that have net positive impacts on municipal budgets in the short and long term during our April 19th event at the Village of Mount Prospect.

Essentially, planning and municipal financial planning should go hand in hand to ensure sensible policy decisions are made regarding land use and development. As Senior Manager of Research for the Government Finance Officers Association, Shayne provided a financial planning perspective to the conversation and gave even more practical advice in saying, “Financial modeling can bring a sense of reality to make decisions and understand how finances work.”

Geoff Dickinson, AICP, Senior Vice President at SB Friedman, shared insights from his work as a development advisor with municipalities across the Chicago region.

Bill Cooney, AICP, Director of Community Development for the Village of Mount Prospect, brought the municipal perspective with his 20+ years of experience at the Village, including the success of revitalizing Randhurst Village, to jumpstart a struggling regional mall and spur significant reinvestment along the Rand Road Corridor.

The balance of perspectives gave attendees a range of ideas to take with them, apply in their own communities, and perhaps persuade them to set up time to meet with their finance directors. Special thanks to Ryan Schmitt, AICP of SB Friedman for organizing the panel, Drew Awsumb, AICP of the City of Highland Park for serving as moderator, and to the Village of Mount Prospect for hosting our event. (Thanks to the photographer of the day, Todd Vanadilok, AICP)

A play-by-play account of the morning can be found on our Twitter account at:

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