Land Planner Training with Corey Saban
Over the past several months, members of our planning team have had the opportunity to work closely with Corey Saban, a nationally recognized expert in communication, storytelling, and leadership presence. Corey’s approach challenges a common assumption in our profession that if the technical analysis is sound, the message will naturally resonate. In practice, we know that is rarely the case. Particularly in the public entitlement arena, where projects are evaluated not only on compliance but on perception, clarity of message is just as critical as the underlying data.
Through these sessions, our team has gained a more intentional framework for approaching public presentations, especially those tied to rezonings, comprehensive plan amendments, and public hearings. Rather than leading with layers of technical detail, traffic studies, land use matrices, engineering constraints, and regulatory standards, we’ve been encouraged to first define and articulate the core “story” of a project. What problem does the project solve? How does it benefit the community? Why does it matter in this specific location? This shift has proven to be a meaningful advancement in how we structure and deliver our presentations.
One of the most valuable takeaways has been the emphasis on understanding the audience. Whether presenting to a planning board, elected officials, or community stakeholders, each group brings a different lens, set of priorities, and level of technical familiarity. Corey’s guidance has helped us better tailor our messaging cutting through unnecessary complexity, reframing key points, and focusing on what truly resonates with decision-makers. In doing so, we are not diminishing the rigor of our work; rather, we are ensuring that its value is clearly understood.
Ultimately, this training has reinforced that effective communication is not an add-on to our planning practice, it is central to it. As land planners, we operate at the intersection of policy, design, engineering, and community vision. The ability to translate that complexity into a clear, compelling narrative is what builds trust, facilitates approvals, and leads to better outcomes on the ground. Corey’s work has provided our team with practical tools to elevate that skillset, and the impact is already evident in how we approach our projects and engage with our clients.
