Planning Director

Title: Planning Director
Reports To: Township Manager
Positions Supervised: Planning Department Clerk
Employment Status: Exempt

BROAD STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

Responsible for overall direction and management of the Planning Department. Serves as staff liaison to Planning Commission and Zoning board of Appeals. Also responsible for working with Planning Commission, other government agencies and Township departments in the implementation and revision of the Comprehensive Plan. Acts as Zoning Administrator and is responsible for the administration and enforcement of applicable local ordinances and State laws. Also acts as coordinator of Development Review process involving various outside agencies, departments, consultants and Planning Commission. Responsible for the supervision, evaluation, discipline, and recommending hiring and discharge of Planning Department personnel.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Directs or participates in studies regarding development in Township; prepares reports and makes recommendations to the Planning Commission, ZBA and through the Township Manager, to the Township Board.

2. Reviews site plans and consults with developers and appropriate reviewing agencies to ensure quality and compliance with policies, regulations, ordinances and modern planning standards.

3. Receives and processes zoning application variance requests, land division requests and development plans; prepares case files and publication notices to property owners as necessary; makes recommendations to Planning Commission, ZBA, and Township Board based on professional planning principles and the comments of the other reviewing agencies.

4. Prepares and monitors the department’s annual budget and provides various periodic reports to the Planning Commission and Board of Trustees on department activities.

5. Recommends and prepares requested or needed resolutions for amending ordinances as may be deemed necessary.

6. Counsels and advises Planning Commission, Board of Appeals, Township Board of Trustees, developers, property owners, Realtors, and others in various planning and zoning matters; represents Township regarding legal action involving zoning ordinance violations.

7. Processes tax abatement applications as submitted from time to time; reviews applications for and issues permits for special/seasonal sales activities/events within the Township according to the provisions of applicable ordinances and established procedures.

8. Prepares special reports and studies as requested by the Township Manager, Township Board or Planning Commission.

KNOW LEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

1. Bachelor’s degree with major in Urban Planning or equivalent in a related field; professional designation as Community Planner preferred; minimum 4 years of relevant experience required.

2. Verbal communication skills to deal effectively with developers, Township Engineer, attorneys, Realtors, various department heads, other Township staff at all levels and residents and/or developers who occasionally may be upset, frustrated and/or lacking knowledge of Township planning process; writing skills to prepare ordinance interpretations and resolutions, rezoning recommendations, site plan reviews and various other reports and memorandum.

3. Ability to plan, organize, schedule, supervise and complete work assignments on a timely basis in an environment where interruptions may occur; requires high level of analytical skill as well as ability to comprehend, interpret, and process detail information and data.

4. Valid driver’s license to meet travel requirements; ability to organize, plan and schedule work to achieve department goals; requires sitting and operating a computer for extended periods of time; occasionally requires lifting boxes of supplies and office equipment weighting minimum 20 pounds to waist high level.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of the position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements for the position.