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Position Summary: 

The Municipal Planning and Zoning Manager is responsible for managing and overseeing the City’s planning, zoning, land use, and development review functions. This position provides professional and technical leadership for current and long-range planning activities, zoning administration, development services coordination, and implementation of the City’s Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Ordinance (UDO).

The Planning and Zoning Manager supervises planning staff and coordinates with developers, elected officials, consultants, residents, and internal departments to ensure orderly growth and development consistent with municipal goals, state regulations, and community standards. The position serves as a key advisor to the Deputy Director of Community Development, Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, and Mayor and Council on planning-related matters.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Manages daily operations of municipal planning and zoning functions.
• Oversees development review processes including rezonings, variances, special use permits, site plans, subdivision plats, annexations, and conditional use applications.
• Interprets and administers zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, development codes, and land use policies.
• Reviews and evaluates development proposals for compliance with municipal regulations and long-term planning objectives.
• Coordinates interdepartmental review of development applications with engineering, public works, fire, parks, legal, and other applicable departments.
• Provides recommendations regarding land use, zoning amendments, and development proposals to boards, commissions, and elected officials.
• Assists with updates to the Comprehensive Plan, zoning maps, development regulations, and strategic planning initiatives.
• Conducts research and analysis related to growth trends, housing, transportation, economic development, demographics, and land use patterns.
• Supervises planning, zoning, permitting, and/or code compliance staff as assigned.
• Establishes departmental goals, priorities, workflows, and performance expectations.
• Provides coaching, mentoring, training, and professional development opportunities for staff.
• Participates in hiring, onboarding, performance evaluations, disciplinary actions, and succession planning.
• Ensures excellent customer service and consistent application of policies and procedures.
• Serves as staff liaison to the Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, and other assigned committees.
• Prepares agendas, staff reports, resolutions, presentations, and meeting materials.
• Presents planning recommendations during public hearings, workshops, and community meetings.
• Responds to inquiries and concerns from residents, developers, contractors, engineers, and elected officials.
• Facilitates community engagement efforts related to planning and development initiatives.
• Ensures compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
• Coordinates consultant services and special planning projects as assigned.
• Assists in preparing and managing departmental budgets and related expenditures.
• Maintains accurate records, reports, zoning maps, GIS-related information, and planning documentation.
• Monitors legislation and industry trends affecting municipal planning and development.
• Additional duties and responsibilities as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of municipal planning principles, zoning administration, land use law, and development processes.
• Knowledge of Georgia planning and zoning statutes and municipal government operations.
• Ability to interpret and apply ordinances, maps, site plans, technical reports, and legal descriptions.
• Strong leadership, project management, organizational, and decision-making abilities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including public presentation experience.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and stakeholder priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, elected officials, developers, consultants, and the public.
• Proficiency with permitting software, GIS systems, Google Suite, and planning-related technologies.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Planning, Regional Planning, Public Administration, Geography, Community Development, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in municipal planning, zoning administration, land use regulation, or community development.
• Minimum of two (2) years of supervisory or leadership experience overseeing staff, projects, or development review operations.
• Experience presenting recommendations to boards, commissions, elected officials, or public bodies.
• Valid State Driver’s License with acceptable driving record.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, or related field.
• Minimum of seven (7) to ten (10) years of progressively responsible municipal planning or community development experience.
• Minimum of three (3) to five (5) years of direct supervisory or managerial leadership experience in a municipal environment.
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification preferred.
• Experience with Comprehensive Plan development, Unified Development Ordinances (UDO), zoning rewrites, and economic development initiatives.
• Experience working within Georgia municipal government and familiarity with metro Atlanta development trends.
• Experience utilizing GIS platforms, permitting software, and electronic plan review systems.

Essential Physical/Mental Abilities

Ability to perform a variety of physical activities including sitting or standing for extended periods; walking, running, kneeling, stooping, crawling, and crouching. May be required to lift and carry materials, equipment, or supplies (typically up to 50 pounds). Requires sufficient coordination and manual dexterity to perform precise hand, finger, and limb movements and to maintain controlled hand-arm positioning when needed.

• Repetitive Motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers.
• Speaking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word including the ability to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately and concisely.
• Visual Acuity: Have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; and/or extensive reading.