Laura Stetson

Laura Stetson’s leadership and award-winning expertise in land use planning and zoning has contributed to the thoughtful revitalization of many cities throughout California. For Laura (AICP), it all started with her fascination for maps and the stories they tell about cities. Understanding the spatial layout of a community and its human impacts enables her to use policy to shape the environment in a positive way. In turn, the policy documents she helps to craft—general plans, specific plans, zoning codes, and CEQA documents—guide positive change for the people in those communities. A self-defined “fixer”, Laura uses her management and facilitation skills to engage clients and stakeholders in collaborative problem-solving. If vision is considered both a starting point and overarching goal for planning, Laura’s strength lies in taking that vision and mapping out the best routes to implementation. She methodically analyzes and synthesizes the potential implications and outcomes associated with policies that regulate not only how land will be used, but what, where, and how desirable new construction occurs. Because the plans she develops have long-term impacts, Laura strives to ensure that they meet multiple objectives and are adaptable to changing circumstances. With her 30+ years of experience, she offers a deep reservoir of knowledge to assist communities of every size and variety find the right path forward.