2018 - 2019 City of Santa Fe, Land Use Department Santa Fe, NM Land Use Director
▪ Directed the Land Use Department consisting of 60 team members and comprised of two branches:
- Development Branch: included Building, Engineering and Inspections Divisions. Responsible for plan intake, review, and inspections, including ADA, Escarpment, and Wildlife Preservation. - Planning Branch: included Planning, Historic Preservation, Code Compliance, and Metropolitan Planning Organization. Responsible for long-range and current planning, design review and historic preservation, code compliance, and regional transportation planning.
▪ Implemented the conversion of 28-year old permitting system (HTE) to new cloud-hosted system (EnerGov) as part of citywide ERP.
▪ Made continuous improvements to operations, such as creating two new branches, each led by a new assistant director; establishing a new Code Compliance Division by reassigning enforcement staff who had been in the Building Inspections Division; adding a Business Analyst to map and improve processes; adding staff in Engineering and Building to address capacity shortages; hiring consultant services to monitor short-term rentals; addressing long-standing performance issues in key management staff. ▪ Planned for the future by initiating a phased update of the Land Use Code, and preparing a framework to update the 1999 General Plan.
▪ Preserved the past by obtaining funding to develop a Historic Preservation Plan, and update historic area guidelines.
▪ Promoted the creation of housing by achieving passage of amendments to Accessory Dwelling Unit regulations, assisted with updates to fees and incentives for inclusionary housing requirements, and streamlined approval processes for qualifying affordable housing projects.
▪ Improved community perceptions of the Land Use Department through better response times, more transparency, and improved follow through on code violations.
▪ Participated in the redevelopment of the city owned Midtown Campus (former Santa Fe University of Art and Design).
2017- 2018 Maricopa County, Planning & Development Department Phoenix, AZ Planning & Development Director
▪ Directed the Planning & Development Department comprised of 100 staff organized into two branches:
- Development Services: Conducts plan reviews; issues permits; inspects construction; investigates work done without permits; and provides code information and interpretations to the public. - Planning Services: Develops and implements land use policy for unincorporated Maricopa County, including the Vision 2030 Comprehensive Plan and 12 Area Plans. Reviews development projects for compliance with plans, policies and regulations to assure conformance with established public policy. Conducts code compliance investigations and pursues available remedies to achieve compliance. ▪ Improved team morale and performance by conducting assessment of organizational health, developing core purpose and values, and identifying key business anchors. Core values were integrated into the employee selection process and performance management goals.
▪ Reclassified a group of employees to a more appropriate job title to address high turnover and pay disparity. ▪ Initiated process mapping of customer service function to address chronic bottlenecks, identify performance issues, develop desk manuals, and evaluate suitability of current job classifications. ▪ Participated in the Project Working Group for Rio Reimagined, an effort to connect numerous individual projects sponsored by State, Municipal and Tribal agencies into a 45-mile environmental and economic development asset for the greater Phoenix metropolitan region.
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2014-2017 City of Berkeley, Planning & Development Department Berkeley, CA Planning & Development Director, 2016-2017
▪ Led the Planning & Development Department comprised of 90 staff organized into four divisions: Building & Safety, Land Use Planning, Energy & Sustainability, and Toxics Management. ▪ Oversaw Major Initiatives which included:
- Revision of the Zoning Ordinance to add clarity, conform with State Law and improve processes - Preparation of a community-driven area plan for the Adeline Corridor in South Berkeley to address community character, anti-displacement and gentrification, affordable housing, economic development, transportation and infrastructure
- Administration of a $3Million Hazard Mitigation Grant from FEMA to assist property owners make seismic upgrades
- Execution of a customer service improvement plan based on recommendations from Zucker Systems - Evaluation of Building Energy Savings Ordinance and identification of additional enhancements to advance energy efficiency in existing buildings
- Conceptualization of a clean energy microgrid for Downtown Berkeley - Implementation of East Bay Community Energy Program
- Evaluation of local Greenhouse Gas emissions, historic trends and update of projections Land Use Planning Manager, 2014-2016
▪ Managed the Land Use Planning Division comprised of 19 professional planners, four administrative assistants, and six part-time interns organized into four teams: Current Projects, Design & Preservation, Policy and Special Projects.
- Current Projects Team: staffs the Zoning Counter; supports two Zoning Adjustment Board meetings per month; conducts environmental review in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); processes Use Permits, Administrative Use Permits, Condo Conversions, Zoning Certificates, Building Permit Reviews and Business License Reviews.
- Design & Preservation Team: staffs the Landmarks Preservation Commission and the Design Review Committee, conducts staff level Design Review, evaluates nominated projects for historic designation, and conducts historic property surveys.
- Policy Team: staffs the Planning Commission, conducts analysis and drafts ordinance amendments in response to City Council policy referrals, updates the Housing Element of the General Plan. - Special Projects Team: manages consultant team, conducts community outreach, and provides policy direction for the Adeline Corridor Specific Area Plan.
▪ Reorganized the Division to facilitate internal promotions, reduce permit-processing timelines, and improve morale.
2011-2014 City of Concord, Community & Economic Development Department Concord, CA Planning Manager
▪ Managed the Planning Division of the Community & Economic Development Department comprised of 5 professional planners and one administrative assistant who process administrative and discretionary planning permits, conduct environmental reviews as required by CEQA, and provide general customer assistance in regard to planning and zoning.
▪ Oversaw the Planning Commission and Design Review Board. ▪ Directed major long-range planning projects, including the Citywide Climate Action Plan, Complete Streets amendment to the General Plan, and the Downtown Concord Specific Area Plan. ▪ Participated in the implementation of Accela Automation permit tracking system. ▪ Developed and monitored division budget.
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2006–2011 City of Phoenix, Planning & Development Department Phoenix, AZ Planning Manager, 2007 – 2011
▪ Managed the Long-Range Planning Team comprised of 12 mid- and senior-level planners, one junior planner, and one administrative assistant who develop land use and regulatory policy, prepare area plans, analyze rezoning requests and draft recommendations, engage local stakeholders, support 15 village planning committees, and assist eight City Council offices and the office of the Mayor. ▪ Directed major advance planning projects, including the General Plan Update, Zoning Ordinance revisions, Downtown Urban Form Code, Station Area Planning and Transit Oriented Development policy. ▪ Coordinated planning activities with multiple city departments and disciplines, including Street Transportation, Public Transit, Water and Wastewater, Community and Economic Development, and Parks and Recreation. ▪ Participated in annual budget preparation and attended public budget hearings. ▪ Represented the City as a founding member of Sustainable Communities Working Group, a multi-agency/multisector organization that promotes the creation of equitable, affordable housing along the light rail corridor. One of four members responsible for obtaining a commitment for $20 million in loan funds from the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and Raza Development Fund (RDF) to develop affordable and attainable housing and support services along the light rail corridor.
Principal Planner, 2006 - 2007
▪ Served as primary staff to the Planning Commission and managed the Current Planning Team. 2005–2006 The Frank Development Group, Inc. Phoenix, AZ Planning & Entitlements
▪ Managed due diligence and planning entitlement processes. ▪ Selected and managed design consultants for the design and construction of single-family and multi-family residential developments.
▪ Coordinated architectural and interior design of new residential products. ▪ Prepared design review submittals for municipalities and managers of master planned communities. ▪ Monitored project development schedules and budgets.
▪ Identified future development opportunities.
▪ Managed the development of a new corporate website.
2000–2005 Stantec Consulting Phoenix, AZ
Associate, Urban Land
▪ Co-managed the Planning/Landscape Architecture Group, including convening management and staff meetings, preparing operational budget, monitoring fiscal performance, and conducting personnel performance reviews ▪ Provided planning services to public and private sector clients, including general plan updates and amendments, zoning ordinance revisions, design guidelines, policy analysis, stakeholder coordination and public participation ▪ Managed projects; including assuring quality and timeliness, coordinating sub-consultants and monitoring budget performance
▪ Led business development; including identifying opportunities and winning key public and private sector contracts
▪ Representative projects: Deer Valley Airport Urban Design Study, Phoenix Biotech Campus Master Plan, Peoria Desert Lands Conservation Ordinance, Queen Creek Single-Family Design Guidelines, and Phoenix 24th Street Joint Use Study
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1986–2000 City of Phoenix, Planning Department Phoenix, AZ Various positions from Planner I to Principal Planner
▪ Administered the Zoning Hearing Officer process
▪ Represented Planning Department at City Council and Board of Adjustment meetings ▪ Served as Team Leader for South Area Team
▪ Managed major amendment to Zoning Ordinance
▪ Managed Urban Growth and Preservation Task Force
▪ Managed the newly created Design Review Standards Committee Other positions held:
1994–1995 Senior Planner Town of Cave Creek, AZ
1992–1994 Planning Director City of Sedro Woolley, WA
1991–1992 Associate Planner City of Vancouver, WA
1990–1991 Assistant Town Planner Town of Windsor, CT
EDUCATION
▪ Master of Urban Planning with certificate in Urban Design, University of Washington ▪ Bachelor of Science in Geology, Washington State University
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS/ORGANIZATIONS
▪ American Institute of Certified Planners
▪ American Planning Association
▪ 1000 Friends of Oregon Land Use Leadership
▪ Leadership Santa Fe - Class of 2019
▪ Arizona Forward, Central Regional Council Co-Chair
▪ Sustainable Communities Working Group (2009-2011)
▪ Arizona Governor’s Growing Smarter Oversight Council (2001-2005) ▪ Arizona Planning Association (AzAPA) (President, 2001-2002; Conference Chair, 1998) AWARDS
▪ Arizona State University President’s Award for Sustainability, Phoenix General Plan Update, 2011 ▪ AzAPA Award for City of Peoria, AZ Desert Lands Conservation Ordinance, 2005 ▪ AzAPA Award for Rio Montaña Land Use Plan – Public Participation Process, Phoenix, AZ, 2000 ▪ Valley Forward Environmental Excellence Crescordia Award for City of Phoenix Single-Family Design Guidelines, Phoenix, AZ, 1998
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
▪ 2019 Rocky Mountain Land Use Institute - Creating Livable Communities, Not Living Museums ▪ 2018 Arizona Land Use Law Update - What’s In a Name? Discretionary Uses: Legislative or Administrative ▪ 2011 Arizona Land Use Law Update - TOD: What Makes It Work? ▪ 2010 AzAPA Annual Conference – Sustainability in General Plan Updates ▪ 2009 Arizona Land Use Law Update – Form-Based Codes in Arizona: From Theory to Practice ▪ 2009 AzAPA Annual Conference – Clients are from Venus, Consultants are from Mars ▪ 2008 AzAPA Annual Conference – Growing Smarter 10 Years Later ▪ 1999 APA National Conference – Single-family Development Design Review
REFERENCES
Available upon request
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