Laura C. Black, AICP
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Objective Director of Development Services
Qualifications
Extensive knowledge of the City’s Municipal Code, General Plan, Sectional Planning Areas, and Specific Plans
California Coastal Act and extensive work with the California Coastal Commission California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
Continuing to stay current with Senate Bills and Assembly Bills that may impact the City Supervision of staff including preparing performance plans and annual employee evaluations Created and managed the Construction Section CDBG Program, in the Economic Development Division
Extensive knowledge of the city budgeting process, interview and hiring process Time Management of project review/approval, preparation of reports/permits and scheduling public hearings to Planning Commission and City Council Supervision and management of technical and administrative personnel Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat, SAP and Outlook, with working knowledge of Accela.
Education UNIVERSITY OF THE PACIFIC (UOP), Stockton, CA Bachelor of Science (BS), Geology, May 1995
Certifications / Professional Affiliations
Member of American Planning Association, 2006 – current American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), 2007 – current Member of the San Diego Chapter of the American Planning Association, 2006 - current Member of Urban Land Institute, 2016 – current
Member of Lambda Alpha International, 2019 – current
Work Experience
December 2020 - current CITY OF CHULA VISTA, Chula Vista, CA Assistant Director, Development Services Department
While Assistant Director of Development Services, I have managed the following sections within the Department: Administration, Development Services Counter, Current Planning, Advance Planning, Landscape Architecture, and Land Development. I have played an integral part in establishing a permitting process/protocol for the building and grading plans for the Gaylord Resort and Convention Center. Given that this will be the first high rise in Chula Vista, it was critical to establish permitting steps early in the process for all parties. I have been the lead appointing authority in over 25 hirings within the Department. Continue to mentor and support staff with various career goals within the City. I have been an advocate for continuous improvement practices throughout the Department to improve services to our customers. I’m working towards implementation of a digital plan submittal/review process with staff and our team of consultants, including the ability for customers to pay all fees online and view permit status online. Negotiate with developers to ensure appropriate balancing of public and private interests. Lead meetings with key stakeholders/property owners with development projects in the City. Established monthly check-in meetings with our utility partners to ensure their permitting needs are being met. Assisted in leading
Laura C. Black, AICP
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departmental management team, developing, setting and implementing policies and procedures. I presented the Updated Housing Element for the Sixth Cycle of RHNA at City Council in July 2021. I have restarted a bi-annual code update process with our first item coming before City Council this fall. Looking for efficiencies to streamline our permitting process with support from DSD managers/lead staff.
July 2017 – August 2020 CITY OF SAN DIEGO, San Diego, CA Deputy Planning Director, Planning Department
I managed the Community Planning & Implementation (CPI) Division within the Planning Department. Within the division, I had two Program Managers, as direct reports and 22 staff that performed a variety of planning related items for the Department, including the Land Development Code Update Section, Housing Policy Section, Community Planning Section and Historic Preservation and Urban Design Section.
The Community Planning & Implementation Division is responsible for all items related to the City’s General Plan, updating and implementation of Community Plans (52 communities total), preparing specific plans, and ensuring these policy documents are consistent with the City’s adopted Climate Action Plan. The division’s work plan had the team updating five to eight community plan updates at any given point, with the goal of two community plan updates presented to City Council for adoption on an annual basis.
While under my management, the Land Development Code update section prepared ordinances that were adopted by City Council, for Companion Units/Junior Units (ADUs), Affordable Expedite Program, Live-Work Quarters, Moderate Income Density Bonus Program, Cannabis Retail Outlets, Cannabis Production Facilities and advertising of Cannabis on Billboards. This section processed three comprehensive code updates, which made changes to approximately 175 sections of our Land Development Code, within approximately 14 months. This section is currently working on the 2020 Comprehensive Land Development Code Update that will carry forward approximately 50 items within the municipal code to remove barriers to housing and assist with overall project streamlining. This section is currently working on a Housing Legislative Code Package to update the land development code for consistency with the many state bills that have been adopted within the past two years.
The Housing Policy Section is responsible for our annual housing production reporting to Housing and Community Development (HCD), the City's Annual Housing Inventory Report, updating the City's Housing Element for cycle 6 of the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA). The City Council adopted the City’s Housing Element for cycle 6 and is currently in review with HCD for their final certification.
My team worked closely with the local California Coastal Commission staff in the San Diego office with all the city's ordinances. This strong working relationship afforded us getting three Local Coastal Program (LCP) amendments docketed for Coastal Commission within 60 days of submitting the LCP amendments.
I directly supervised two Program Managers and have ensured all performance evaluations and performance plans were up to date for the entire division. I successfully hired, and promoted staff in a variety of classifications who have enhanced the current team with new ideas, energy and a willingness to learn. I am a strong leader with an ability to problem solve and creatively find ways for the department’s work program to be successful. Knowledge of city budgeting process and SAP citywide system. Additionally, I was the manager liaison for the department to ensure staff training for the Accela implementation in the
Laura C. Black, AICP
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August 2011 - May 2015 CITY OF SAN DIEGO, San Diego, CA Development Project Manager II, Development Services Department, Affordable/In-Fill Housing and Sustainable Buildings Expedite Program Review, approval and issuance of various discretionary permits for the Expedite Program. Have worked within all communities of the City via the Expedite Program from working on a YMCA facility in City Heights, to a 100% senior affordable housing project in Allied Gardens, to a couple different industrial/research and development projects within the University Community.
Strong ability to manage multi-disciplinary consulting teams for complex projects.
Single point of contact for projects which provides for exceptional customer service to Mayor’s Office, City Council Members/Staff, other City Departments, Building Industry Members and members of the public. Coordinate conflict resolution meetings with staff and customers, providing solution-oriented options that can be supported by the city’s review team and project applicant. Provide hands on assistance for project submittals to ensure the correct materials are submitted and ensure the required review turnaround times are met by review staff.
Write staff reports and prepare PowerPoint presentations for decision makers.
Present projects at public venues - Hearing Officer, Planning Commission and City Council. Keeping detailed accounting of projects. Knowledge of city budgeting process and SAP citywide system. Working with community planning groups on specific project issues or community-wide concerns. Maintain project schedule/timeline within the Project Tracking System. Maintain project budgets to ensure the Affordable Sustainable Expedite fees paid on projects is consistent with department policies. Strong working relationship with the Mayor’s Office, City Attorney’s Office, other City Departments and all Council District Offices.
May 2009 – August 2011 CITY OF SAN DIEGO, San Diego, CA Development Project Manager II, Manager of Construction Section of CDBG Program, Economic Development Department, CDBG Program
Created, implemented and managed the Construction Section of the CDBG Program that consisted of five staff members. Prior to my arrival, the construction projects were managed by staff within the City of San Diego Engineering and Capital Improvement Department. By implementing the Construction Section within CDBG, it provided a program cost savings of over $450,000. As manager of the Construction Section, I established policies and procedures for staff to follow. Work effectively within a highly political climate to bring projects to completion. I have successfully managed 133 projects and completed a total of 15 projects that utilized $3,505,010.11 of CDBG funds. Provided training to staff regarding new processes and requirements associated with all CDBG funded projects. Provide daily supervision and train staff to develop staff’s competency as project managers. Cross train staff with the different type of projects managed by CDBG which included public services, microenterprise, minor residential rehabilitation and construction projects. Evaluate staff’s performance against established standards, preparation of performance plans, providing ongoing feedback, and recognizing and rewarding work performance. Maintain effective interpersonal relations with staff and promoted high morale and work productivity by leading by example. Certified by National Community Development Association (NCDA) – CDBG Basics: Training for Practitioners. Work with the City Attorney’s Office to create a standard CDBG Agreement template for construction projects. Presented information at application workshops and allocation workshops and fielded any questions that the presented information might have generated. Conduct negotiations with nonprofit agencies to develop
Laura C. Black, AICP
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contract standards, scope of work and budgets that ensure usage compliance of the awarded funds. Ensure compliance with CDBG, federal and/or City requirements for all projects. Coordinate with general contractors and subcontractors to perform worker interviews. Review and approve weekly certified payrolls. Review and approve reimbursement requests. Assist with completed project data and project photos to report in the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER). Manager of and perform all National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) document preparation pertaining to CDBG funded projects. Establish system for tracking all NEPA documents. Liaison with Environmental Analysis Section (EAS) in Development Services Department to provide EAS review/signoff for all Economic Development Department and Redevelopment Agency projects within the City’s e1472 system.
August 2005 to April 2009 CITY OF SAN DIEGO, San Diego, CA Development Project Manager II, Development Services Department Review, approval and issuance of various discretionary permits, including Emergency Coastal Development Permit, for development projects. Coordinate conflict resolution meetings with staff and customers. Preparation and presenting development review process at Community Orientation Workshops. Write staff reports and prepare PowerPoint presentations for decision makers. Present projects at Hearing Officer, Planning Commission and City Council. Keeping detailed accounting of projects. Knowledge of city budgeting process. Working with community planning groups on specific project issues or community-wide concerns. Maintain project schedule/timeline within the Project Tracking System.
Strong working relationship with the Mayor’s Office, City Attorney’s Office and all Council District Offices. Training of new project managers and review staff on variety of review issues and Project Tracking System improvements. Out of Class Assignment for Assistant Deputy Director and Development Project Manager III.
Served on interview panels as needed for various position throughout the department. Working with Environmental staff and project managers to get the environmental review timelines tracked within the Project Tracking System.
Chairperson of the Customer Service Committee, coordinate All Staff Meetings and coordinate Quarterly Supervisor’s Meetings.
May 2004 to August 2005 CITY OF SAN DIEGO, San Diego, CA Development Project Manager I, Development Services Department Review development projects for compliance with the Municipal Code, adopted Community Plans and General Plan. Approval and issuance of various discretionary permits for projects. Facilitate Preliminary Review of projects including coordination with the customer and staff. Coordinate conflict resolution meetings with staff and the customer and with staff only. Keeping project account balances current. Present projects to the La Jolla Shores Advisory Board. Work with the La Jolla Community Group, Mission Beach Community Group and Pacific Beach Community Group. Write reports for public hearings. Presentations of projects at Hearing Officer and Planning Commission for approval. Maintain project schedule within the Project Tracking System. Working with Environmental staff and project managers to get the environmental review timelines tracked within the Project Tracking System. Coordination with the Planning Department and present at the Community Orientation Workshops (COW). Preparation of Emergency Coastal Development Permits for sites within the North Coastal Section of the City.
Laura C. Black, AICP
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CDBG Basics: Training for Practitioners, 04/28/2010 – 04/30/2010 (Certification)
Additional Involvement
San Diego Chapter APA – Member of Core Planning Committee for State Conference and Sponsorship Chairman, Virtual Conference – September 2020 San Diego Chapter APA – Member of Planning Committee for State Conference and Sponsorship Chairman, San Diego, CA – October 2018
City of San Diego Employee Reward and Recognition Committee – 2016 – 2020 DSD Customer Service Committee, member 2005 – 2007, Chairperson 2008-2009 DSD Automated Task Force, member 2005 – 2009
City of San Diego Customer Service Award – 2006
Development Services Department Customer Service Award – 2006 San Diego Chapter APA – Member of Planning Committee for State Conference, Carlsbad, CA – 2010
San Diego Chapter APA – Member of Awards Committee for Awards Ceremony, June 4, 2012