Wilf Sommerkorn
Deputy Executive Director
Utah Land Use Institute
Wilf Sommerkorn retired in 2019 after a 40-year career which included directing planning in Salt Lake County, Salt Lake City, Davis County, and Centerville City. He was also adjunct professor of urban planning at the University of Utah, where he taught a class in the politics of planning, something every planner should know! Wilf has served as legislative chair for the Utah Chapter of the American Planning Association since 1990, where he has had a role in writing the state codes regarding land use. Wilf now works with the non-profit Utah Land Use Institute as deputy executive director. He is currently also serving on the Kaysville City Planning Commission.
Session(s):
2025 Legislative Update »
2025 APA UT Spring Conference, May 9, 2025 10:30 amIn the 2025 Utah legislative session, 40 bills on land use and housing were introduced and 25 were passed. These bills added some 765 lines of code to the LUDMA, which is more than double what has been added during the last few legislative sessions! Additionally, 10 other Titles of Utah State Code had language added to them which have some reference to land use. Our presenters will go over what was passed in the legislative session, what planners need to be aware of, and what they need to do. Fair warning, it's a lot!
Basic Land Use Regulations Workshop »
2025 APA UT Spring Conference, May 8, 2025 2:30 pmJoin Cache County, ULUI, and APA Utah for a free 3-hour training on foundational land use principles, zoning regulations, and best practices—all in an engaging, discussion- based format.
2024 Legislative Update »
2024 Spring Conference, May 10, 2024 8:15 amOne of these things is not like the others... in the national push for zoning reform and housing affordability, Utah's legislative efforts were different this year from those of other states. Wilf Sommerkorn, Jason Boal, and Scott Hess will explain, and bring up to date all this year's land use related legislation.
So You’re the New PC Chair! »
2024 Spring Conference, May 9, 2024 2:40 pmCongratulations! You’ve been elected (or appointed) as the next Chair of the Planning Commission! You’ll be great! Everybody thinks you’re the best person for the job! Or maybe no one else would do it? So, if you’re like most people, you’re not really sure what to do now, and how you’re supposed to do it. This session is aimed at helping you get started and get a handle on it. It's good for everyone else, too, so they know what to expect and how to do things.
Handle with Care: Planning Commission Meeting Management »
2023 Fall Conference, September 29, 2023 2:40 pmPlanning Commission's are a vital piece of orderly development within your community. From public hearings vs. public meetings to administrative vs. legislative decision-making—join us in discussing strategies and stories that highlight how to best manage your meetings and ensure efficiency and consistency in your process.
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