Candidate Statement: Derek Payne (he/him)

As a lifelong rural Oregonian and U.S. Army Veteran, Derek combines a deep commitment to community with extensive practical experience. From his start as a public works laborer to his current leadership role as Jefferson County's Community Development Director, he has gained a firsthand understanding of how planning policies impact people on the ground. His work is focused on creating resilient communities and addressing critical housing needs through thoughtful, ecologically conscious planning. Already an active member of OAPA's Legislative and Policy Affairs Committee and currently pursuing his Master's in Urban and Regional Planning, Derek is well-prepared and enthusiastic about bringing his pragmatic, service-oriented perspective to the OAPA board.

1) My lived experiences provide a unique perspective from both sides of the counter and both sides of the code book. Because I am able to more deeply relate and understand the communities with which I serve, I am able to break complex code questions into easily digestible anecdotes.

2) I love planning because solving challenges is something that I love. Solving physical problems brought me to construction, solving design problems brought me to architecture, and solving future problems brought me to planning.

3) The biggest challenge in the Planning field is trust in our institutions that, ideally, provide regulatory certainty and future plans that promote thoughtful development or protections to our development lands and resource lands respectively. Because of Federal decisions and misinformation campaigns- Planners must work to rebuild and maintain public trust in the land use systems throughout Oregon.

4) It is no secret that Oregon is facing a housing crisis, like much of the country, and requires unique solutions to that housing problem. During my tenure at North Bend, I worked with a consultant to evaluate zoning code limitations that were limiting development within the jurisdiction. By removing barriers and becoming an asset to residents, property owners, and developers, North Bend has been able to nearly fill the projected 20-year housing need between two large-scale projects and 17 years ahead of schedule.

5) LPAC is such a vital resource to both advocate for the planning profession's expertise as well as the State's land use system. I am so grateful to be a member of LPAC and to engage in the change that we, as an organization, can bring to the people of Oregon.

6) As someone who is looking to earn their AICP certification, "The VERY UNofficial AICP Study Guide Podcast" has been a frequent listen.