Kent County Today

City of Delaware issued the following announcement on March 30.

David Efland, Director of Delaware’s Department of Planning and Community Development, has achieved the planning profession’s highest honor by being named to the prestigious American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) College of Fellows.

Efland was one of only two Ohioans and the first City of Delaware planner to receive this recognition, which honors out‐standing achievements in urban planning.

“We have long known that our city is lucky to have a professional like Dave Efland leading the Planning Department. He has led the creation of our city’s new comprehensive plan and helped guide Delaware development through unprecedented growth and unique times, including a pandemic,” City Manager Tom Homan said. “Huge congratulations to Dave! He is absolutely deserving of this high honor.”

Efland has served as the city’s planning director since 2005 and has more than 28 years of planning experience. He previously worked in community planning in Oxford, Ohio, and in Cincinnati. Efland is a past member of the Board of Trustees of APA Ohio and past Director of the Cincinnati Section of APA Ohio.  He holds degrees in planning from Miami University and The Ohio State University.

Fellowship is granted to planners who have achieved certification through the APA’s professional institute, the American Institute of Certified Planners. Invitations to join the College of Fellows come after a thorough peer nomination and review process, ensuring the candidate has had a positive, long‐lasting impact on the planning profession. Efland was nominated by APA Ohio.

“Individuals who make up the College of Fellows are the true leaders of the planning profession,” said past AICP President Valerie Hubbard, FAICP. “These individuals have made lasting contributions to the profession and have inspired generations of new planners. They are truly awe‐inspiring.”

Efland is one of 53 inductees into this year’s College of Fellows. Inductions are done biennially. This year’s induction will take place during APA’s National Planning Conference in San Diego on May 1, 2022.

The City of Delaware Planning and Community Development Department oversees land use planning services and physical development in a manner that ensures the prosperity, health, safety, and general welfare of the community.

Original source can be found here.