LOS ANGELES-Incoming Urban Land Institute chairman David Waite isn't living up to his last name. He's already implementing some ambitious plans just a few weeks into his two-year term.

Waite has been a ULI member for over 16 years and is an attorney at Cox, Castle & Nicholson, where his practice focuses on all of the major land-use issues facing the region. He regularly appears before planning commissions, city councils, and other federal, state and local government agencies on land use and regulatory matters.

The ULI division under his purview extends South to the Orange County border, to the North including Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, and East to the Inland Empire. After taking over from outgoing chairman Ronald A. Altoon on July 1, Waite outlined a multi-pronged agenda for GlobeSt.com, including:

1) Establishing ULI Los Angeles local “product councils.” Built on the organization's national model, product councils provide a forum for professional development, industry collaboration, leadership and networking within industry segments. “We currently have three emerging local product councils (capital markets, infrastructure and housing),” says Waite. “Our goal is to have no less than six active product councils with distinct leadership and programming. We will consider, for example, new local product councils for mixed use, transit-corridor development, and small-scale development.”

2) Initiating ULI Los Angeles “sub-regional councils” focused on land use issues facing sub-regions. “Each sub-regional council will have its own distinct leadership and programming,” says Waite. “We will consider, for example, sub-regional councils for the South Bay and Beach Cities region, the San Fernando Valley, Ventura and Santa Barbara, the San Gabriel Valley and perhaps Newhall, among other sub-regions.”

3) Expanding the Technical Assistance Panel and other ULI advisory service offerings throughout the Los Angeles region. TAPs are ULI's services for addressing land-use challenges in specific areas. “Our TAPs provide unparalleled member talent and expertise to local communities, and our goal is to present no less than eight TAPs and other advisory events annually to serve the region.”

4) Expanding participation in unique grant programs. Recent successful building reuse and corridor studies grants have charged ULI Los Angeles with exploring issues such as improving transportation corridors and exploring the successful reuse of buildings.

5) Initiating a member outreach and engagement program with events that bring together sponsors, advisory board members, and strategic advisors.

6) Launching the ULI Los Angeles Healthy Communities Initiative. “There is tremendous focus and interest in the development of healthy places,” says Waite. This focus on the connection between health and land use may include enhancing access and connectivity to open space, and improving walkability and bikeability.

Waite tells GlobeSt.com that he sees ULI's mission as education and outreach, engaging representatives from the industry for evaluating policy matters and initiatives, and providing services to community stakeholders.

“It's a member-driven organization,” says Waite. “We have just shy of 1600 members that are participants in our local district councils. There's a lot we do that's very effective and we really have an active body of work in the local district council, and we will continue with that.”

Earlier this year, GlobeSt.com reported on Waite joining Cox, Castle & Nicholson as a partner.