Planning & Zoning Director

This executive-level position is responsible for leading, directing, and strategically managing all functions related to the City's Planning and Zoning operations. The Director of Planning & Zoning serves as a key member of the City's leadership team and is accountable for shaping and implementing zoning and current planning initiatives that align with the City's vision, comprehensive plan, and strategic priorities.

This role involves high-level professional and managerial work requiring significant judgment, diplomacy, and expertise in urban planning, zoning regulations, and land use policy. The Director oversees complex development review processes, supervises professional and technical staff, and ensures legal compliance and procedural integrity across all planning activities. This position functions as the City's subject matter expert for zoning and development, providing leadership in regulatory interpretation, ordinance development, stakeholder engagement, and process innovation.

The Director plays a vital role in ensuring the City's development patterns support sustainable growth, economic vitality, and a high quality of life for residents and businesses. Strong leadership, strategic foresight, and operational excellence are essential for success in this role.This is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks.

Strategic Planning & Leadership:

• Direct and coordinate the City's zoning and current planning operations, ensuring alignment with broader municipal goals and legal mandates.
• Provide visionary leadership to Departmental staff and promote a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Serve as a principal advisor to senior leadership, elected officials, and boards on planning and zoning matters.

Quasi-Judicial and Legislative Planning:

• Represent the Department at public hearings, quasi-judicial proceedings, and City Council meetings; prepare and present comprehensive staff reports and expert recommendations.
• Oversee the legislative planning process for rezoning, special exceptions, and ordinance amendments; ensure legal compliance and procedural transparency.
• Serve as the City's liaison to county, state, and federal agencies on zoning and planning matters.

Development Review and Permitting:

• Lead the review and approval process for site plans, subdivisions, zoning permits, signage, and other development-related applications.
• Establish and refine internal procedures to optimize permit turnaround times and enhance service delivery.
• Ensure consistency in regulatory enforcement and provide strategic guidance on complex development proposals.

Business Services and Licensing:

• Oversee zoning compliance reviews for business-related applications, including Certificates of Use and alcoholic beverage licenses.
• Ensure integration of planning standards with economic development initiatives to facilitate business attraction and retention.

Administrative Zoning Requests:

• Manage all administrative zoning actions, including:
• Administrative variances and interpretations;
• Site-specific zoning determinations;
• Address assignments and school concurrency reviews;
• Zoning verification letters for utilities, infrastructure, and real estate transactions;
• Special analyses, such as Unity of Title and group home verifications

Community Engagement & Stakeholder Relations:

• Foster collaborative relationships with residents, developers, business owners, and community organizations.
• Lead public outreach efforts, facilitate stakeholder meetings, and represent the department at community events.
• Promote transparency, accessibility, and responsiveness in all departmental interactions.

Performs related work as required.Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Expert-level knowledge of urban planning principles, Florida planning statutes (including the Local Government Comprehensive Planning and Land Development Regulation Act), zoning law, and development review procedures. In-depth understanding of the Florida Local Government Comprehensive Planning and Land Development Regulation Act, environmental regulations, and the processes related to Developments of Regional Impact (DRIs) and Florida Quality Developments. Expert knowledge of the structure and application of zoning codes and ordinances, including procedures for rezoning, variances, special exceptions, and administrative interpretations. Strong familiarity with permitting processes, including zoning review for building permits, signage, subdivision, and site plan approvals. Knowledge of community engagement strategies, including facilitation of public hearings, quasi-judicial processes, and stakeholder coordination. Experience navigating politically sensitive issues and building consensus among diverse stakeholders.

Proficiency in interpreting and applying zoning and land development regulations to business licensing, alcoholic beverage licensing, and certificates of use. Awareness of neighborhood planning practices, including public outreach, visioning, and small-area planning. Knowledge of concurrency management and development impact analysis, particularly as required under Florida's Comprehensive Planning framework. Familiarity with site planning, land utilization, and the review of construction plans for compliance with municipal codes and zoning regulations.

Strong leadership and supervisory skills, including the ability to direct, evaluate, and develop professional, technical, and administrative staff in a high-performance team environment. Exceptional ability to analyze complex zoning issues, develop practical solutions, and manage multiple regulatory and administrative processes concurrently. Skilled in preparing and delivering clear, concise, and persuasive presentations and technical reports for a wide range of audiences, including elected officials, community groups, and regulatory boards. Ability to effectively manage public engagement, facilitate large-scale meetings, and build consensus among diverse stakeholders. Proficiency in interpreting, compiling, and analyzing demographic, geographic, and statistical data to inform zoning decisions and policy development. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail in managing administrative zoning requests. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to compose technical memoranda, zoning determinations, and correspondence with clarity and professionalism. Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to support and implement departmental goals, process improvements, and customer service enhancements.

Education & Experience Requirements:Bachelor's Degree in urban and regional planning, architecture, business or public administration or other closely related field required; with minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in municipal planning, zoning administration, and land development regulation, including at least two (2) years in a supervisory or management capacity. Master's Degree in urban and regional planning or related field preferred. Certification by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is preferred. Previous experience with electronic permitting platforms highly desirable. An equivalent combination of education and/or experience may be considered. Must possess and maintain a valid Florida driver's license and satisfactory driving record throughout employment. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work is performed in a professional office setting with occasional site visits and public engagements. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk; use hands and fingers to handle, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The noise level in the work environment is moderately quiet. Work is performed in an office setting within a controlled environment.