Wayne brings over 35 years of experience in zoning, planning, land use law and economic development to the firm’s Municipal practice group. As both a licensed attorney and a certified planner (AICP), Wayne offers a rare blend of legal and planning expertise that makes him a go-to advisor for municipalities navigating complex land use matters at all levels of government.

Wayne has also served as a Planning Commissioner and Zoning Board of Appeals member, giving him a practical, on-the-ground understanding of how zoning decisions impact communities. At FSBR, he uses that dual perspective to help municipal clients plan thoughtfully, stay compliant, and grow resiliently.

Before joining the firm, Wayne spent 25 years as a faculty member with Michigan State University’s School of Planning, Design, and Construction and MSU Extension (MSUE). He taught courses on Land Use Law, Planning Practice, and Urban Resilient Redevelopment. He was instrumental in the launch and leadership of the award-winning MSUE Citizen Planner short-course and bringing the nationally acclaimed National Charrette Institute to MSU. He has been a frequent speaker at state, national and international conferences.

He’s been deeply involved in projects across the state focused on innovative zoning and planning techniques, downtown revitalization, community and economic development, brownfield redevelopment, corridor improvement, renewable energy and affordable housing. Prior to MSU Wayne worked for private, non-profit and government agencies at the local, county, regional and state levels in planning and community and economic development.

Wayne is also active in several professional organizations, holding current and former leadership roles with the State Bar of Michigan’s Real Property Law Section and Michigan Association of Planning. He is passionate about supporting municipalities through strategic land use and policy solutions that build quality communities. He has received numerous state and national awards, including the MSU Extension John A. Hannah Award, the most prestigious award for program excellence.

Wayne is an avid runner and has completed numerous marathons, including the Boston Marathon. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army and enjoys fly fishing, backpacking and camping with his family.

Experience

• Overhauled zoning ordinances and drafted zoning amendments for gravel mines, wind, solar, battery, affordable housing regulations and wellhead protection overlay district
• Prepared development agreements for mixed use/PUD projects
• Represented communities on zoning approvals and siting of utility-scale renewable energy projects
• Successfully defended client on an appeal to a Historic Preservation Commission decision
• Worked on litigation involving constitutional takings claims and responses to circuit court, Michigan Court of Appeals and Michigan Supreme Court
• Assisted clients with addressing code enforcement violations

• Permit Conditions and Taking Challenges: Is Sheetz the new “Goldilocks” with the “Three Bears” of Exactions – Nollan, Dolan, and Koontz?, FSBR, September 2024
• Back to the Future: Taking Control of Your Township’s Destiny When Making Decisions Feels Like Time Travel, FSBR, April 2025
• Making Defensible Zoning Decisions with Conditions, Michigan Planner, January/February 2025
• When Zoning Provisions are Challenged: Recent Court Decisions Every Planner Should Know, Michigan Planning Conference, September 2024
• Community Land Trusts and Land Banks: Understanding the Opportunities and Barriers to Affordable Housing, MSU Center for Community and Economic Development, November 2022
• Making Defensible Decisions: Discretionary Standards, Conditions and Procedural Due Process, MSU Extension Citizen Planner, May 2022
• Housing, Real Estate and Resiliency: Meeting Local Workforce Housing Needs with a Purpose, MSU SPDC Webinar Series, Graduate Certificate Program, 2022
• Planning & Zoning for Solar Energy Systems: A guide for Michigan Local Governments, Graham Sustainability Institute, University of Michigan and MSU Extension, 2021
• Climate and Health Adaptation Planning Guide for Michigan Communities, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and MSU SPDC, 2020
• Michigan Sign Guidebook: Practical and Legal Considerations for the Content-Neutral Regulation of Exterior Signs, Scenic Michigan Webinar, May 2021
• Re-Imagine Your Downtown Business District- Find Hidden Opportunities, Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference, Charlevoix, MI, October 2018
• Shining a Light on Agricultural Solar energy Development, MSU Extension, 2018
• Transforming the Knowledge Gap for Local Planning Officials: Measuring Impacts of Continuing Education in Michigan’s Master Citizen Planner Program, Journal of Extension, December 2016
• Renewable Energy Potential on Brownfield Sites: A Case Study of Michigan, Energy Policy, 2010
• The Citizen Planner Program and Master Citizen Planner Credential: Long-Term Evaluation of Impacts, Planning & Zoning News, December 2015
• Counties and Wind Energy: Present and Future, Michigan Association of Counties Annual Summer Conference, 2009
• Wind Energy Siting and Planning Update, State Bar of Michigan Environmental Law Section, 2009
• Renewable Energy Systems for Small Towns, American Planning Association National Conference, 2009

• Michigan State University College of Law, Juris Doctor
• University of Maine, Master of Public Administration
• Michigan State University Bachelor of Science, Urban Planning
• Trial Practice Institute, Michigan State University College of Law
• First Place, Team Negotiation Competition, Michigan State University College of Law

BAR ADMISSIONS & CERTIFICATIONS

• State Bar of Michigan (SBM)
• Civil Mediator, Ingham County Circuit Court
• American Institute of Certified Planners

• Council Member, Real Property Law Section, State Bar of Michigan, (2023–present)
• “Rising Star” Award, Real Property Law Section, State Bar of Michigan, 2023
• Co-Chair, Strategic Planning Committee, Real Property Law Section, State Bar of Michigan (2022–2023)
• Chair, Real Estate Outlook Program, Real Property Law Section, State Bar of Michigan (2023–2024)
• Executive Board Member, Michigan Association of Planning (2019–2022)
• Member, Law Committee, Michigan Association of Planning (2018–2021)
• Chair, Winter Conference Committee, Real Property Law Section, State Bar of Michigan (2019)
• Board Member, USDA Extension Land Use Planning Community of Practice (2009–2022)
• Member, Administrative Regulatory Law Section, State Bar of Michigan
• Member, Mediation Law Section, State Bar of Michigan

PUBLIC SERVICE

• Housing Law Clinic, MSU College of Law, Attorney Volunteer, 2012
• Planning Commissioner, Meridian Township, MI (2009–2011)
• Planning Commissioner, Cannon Township, MI (2001–2002)
• Zoning Board of Appeals, Hampden, ME (1995–1997)