Director of Community Development & Planning

Mill Creek, WA, United States

Be part of a Team that will make a lasting impact on the Mill Creek Community.

Director of Community Development & Planning

The City of Mill Creek is seeking an experienced leader and professional to be the Director of Community Development & Planning and a member of the City’s Leadership Team that is dedicated to setting a standard of excellence in local government.

The ideal candidate will thrive in an environment that is ready for growth and innovation and will have the opportunity to use their expertise and leadership skills to direct their department and to collaborate with a diverse Team of individuals with an eye towards making a lasting impact on the Mill Creek community.

About Mill Creek

Incorporated in 1983, the City of Mill Creek is located in Snohomish County, Washington, and is home to more than 21,000 people. Originally developed as a master planned golf course community in the 1970s, the City has grown beyond its original plan making it a great destination for shopping and gathering in its award-winning Mill Creek Town Center. The Town Center is composed of a series of pedestrian plazas in a park-like setting that features over 70 locally owned and franchised retail businesses and services. Mill Creek also showcases a physically active community with 11 attractive neighborhood and community parks, more than 23 miles of nature trails, and recreational facilities that support diverse recreational opportunities.

The City is primarily residential and is composed of single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums, and apartments set in a lushly landscaped, natural environment. The median sold home price in Mill Creek in May 2024 was approximately $984,999.

While the City has spectacular landscaping, buildings, and shopping, it is the people inhabiting the City who define Mill Creek’s character and personality. Even a casual visitor will soon notice how much the residents care about their city and their fellow citizens. Indeed, Mill Creek is a real community! Many families, couples, and singles frequent the Town Center and the City’s many parks and open spaces. Mill Creek offers a small-town atmosphere with the culture and amenities of urban living.

About the Position

The next Director of Community Development & Planning (DCDP) will have a significant opportunity to assist in the strategic development of a 19-acre property adjacent to the Mill Creek Sports Park referred to as the Dobson Remillard Church Cook property (DRCC) site. The City began a process in 2021 to identify potential uses to be developed on the site and have been awarded funding from the state to continue that planning.

Another priority for the next DCPD is to strategically assist the City Council, City Manager, Planning Commission, and Community in planning and setting goals for the next 20 years relating to the City’s 2024 Comprehensive Plan which includes the Mill Creek Boulevard subarea land use, and zoning plan, and potential future development.

The ideal candidate will help create the vision for the future of the City which includes walkable neighborhoods, parks, public spaces, natural spaces, environmental stewardship and possible annexations.

The ideal candidate will be a consensus builder and excellent communicator who realizes listening is an important part of communicating. The individual will be able to relate complex concepts in terms that are easily understood by everyone. The next DCDP will be someone of high integrity who believes in transparency and will know the importance of keeping the City Manager, City Council, and the public informed.

The ideal candidate is someone who excels in a collaborative team environment and who is dedicated to continuous process improvement. This individual will be supportive of staff but also requires accountability. The ideal candidate will create a team environment where staff work together to achieve the goals.

Challenges as Opportunities

Population is expected to increase in Mill Creek by 3,800 by 2044. The City is required by the Growth Management Act (GMA) in Washington State to update its comprehensive plan by the end of 2024 and through that process will be assessing options for providing capacity to accommodate 3,800 new residents. As the City is largely built out and land is not available, decisions will have to be made on whether to annex more land and where and how the increased housing will be accomplished.

General Position Description

Plans, directs and manages the Community Development & Planning Department, which includes the short- and long-range Planning Division and the Building Division.

Essential Job Duties include:

1. Providing leadership and management of operations for the Community Development & Planning Department, including staff resources, materials, facilities and time. Preparing and administering the departmental budget and work.

2. Directing short and long-range planning programs and projects, including developing, updating and implementing the City’s Comprehensive Plan, and development regulations/standards consistent with state laws.

3. Serving as advisor to the City Manager and other staff on development issues related to infrastructure and land use planning, annexation, economic development, transportation, land-use management, capital improvements, etc. Oversee related data gathering, reports and recommendations.

4. Managing the development and implementation of goals and programs in economic development, redevelopment and small business assistance. Serving as liaison between the economic development effort and related programs.

5. Developing and implementing policies, procedures and practices to provide services in planning, plan review/building inspection.

6. Ensuring proper application and enforcement of City zoning, subdivision and development ordinances and other code approvals by overseeing building inspection and plan review services, permit processing and code interpretation.

7. Assuring compliance with statutory requirements related to the Growth Management Act, zoning, subdivisions, annexations and environmental regulations and is the Responsible Official for implementation of the State Environmental Policy Act. Responsible for the preparation and review of environmental impact statements and technical reports consistent with State and City environmental policies and codes; recommends final action on environmental issues related to programs and projects.

8. Establishing and implementing the City’s development review process. Participating in planning process; interprets and applies development codes and requirements to major plats, binding site plans, rezoning and development projects. Responding to complaints and inquiries regarding the City’s development standards.

9. Responsible for planning and coordinating Planning Commission and Design Review Board agendas, staff reports, presentations, and minutes.

10. Compiling reports and makes presentations and recommendations to appropriate boards and commissions and the City Council. Communicating with citizens and civic groups on planning issues and activities.

11. Coordinating contractors and interdepartmental and inter-jurisdictional participation in development and administration of community plans and policies. Represents the City on planning/development issues with neighboring jurisdictions and the regional transportation and growth management planning organizations.

12. Overseeing the possible acquisition, design and development of lands, including applying for grants and contracting for design work.

Required Experience and Education/Training:

Bachelor’s degree in urban planning or a related field, and six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in a public planning position, including three years of supervisory experience, or any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the job. (A master’s degree in a related field may substitute for one year of required experience.)

Licenses/Certifications required:

• Must possess and maintain a valid Washington State driver’s license and an insurable driving record

Preferred:

• Membership in AICP is preferred

• Five years of increasingly responsible experience in local government planning in the State of Washington.

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