Stephen Cochran Zoning and Special Projects Planner Stephen Cochran, AICP, a native of Washington, DC, is experienced in local zoning and planning issues. He has taken innovative approaches to these matters in other parts of the country through his many years at the American Planning Association and in other public- and private-sector jobs. Mr. Cochran has an undergraduate degree from Amherst College and a master's in urban planning from Johns Hopkins University.