Design professionals interact with government planning officials at numerous stages in the project development and approval process on behalf of their clients. It is critical that designers have awareness and ready access to the aspirational, policy, financial and regulatory frameworks used in the location where the project is to be constructed and utilize that information to establish a collaborative relationship with local planning professions as they conduct project evaluations and prepare recommendations to land use boards, elected officials, and approval agencies. Through audience polling, case studies, panel discussion, and audience questions, this session will explore specific policy development actions and project documentation options design professions can use to best position current and future projects for approval. Kansas City, Missouri based legal, community development, city planning, and neighborhood leadership training experts will discuss their universally applicable individual best practices and share case studies as to how they work with their affiliated design professionals, neighborhood leaders, and local planning officials to shape and navigate regulatory frameworks to gain more transparent, effective, and results driven project approvals.