City Planning and Engagement

Vision

"To create an aesthetic, vibrant urban center that is a model for cities nationwide."

Mission

"To utilize creative planning principles, to guide land use while ensuring excellent customer service and fostering safe and sustainable building development."

The Department of City Planning and Engagement consists of a high-performance team that guides land use and zoning decisions for the city. Through sound planning practices, our department ensures that our great city is enriched with vitality, thrives as an urban center, and is a model to other cities nationwide. Some of our responsibilities include long-range and strategic planning including Neighborhood Plans, developing and administering the Zoning Code, Subdivision Regulations, and other land use regulatory processes.

Responsibilities

• Develop the Zoning Code, Subdivision Rules and Regulations, and other land use regulatory processes.

• Enforce and interpret the Zoning Code and review all development proposals for conformance, including Hillside Development and Urban Design Overlay Standards, and review requests for relief from existing Zoning Code regulations.

• Staff the City Planning Commission and Historic Conservation Board.

• Provide demographic, mapping, and analysis services.

• Develop special plans, including the Comprehensive Plan, Community Plans, Consolidated Plans, and Neighborhood Studies.

• Manage federally funded program reviews, including environmental reviews of projects.

• Administer the City's historic preservation program and ensure compliance of the City's programs with federal and state regulations mandating protection of historic resources.

• Process zone change applications.

• Manage Planned Developments and Interim Development Control Overlay Districts.

• Assist other City Departments with special projects as assigned.