Helping communities accessing federal funding

As Sandy Springs' first Sustainability Manager, I was tasked with establishing the division and work program. Our team helped implement environmental sustainability across internal operations, planning and capital projects, and we aimed to inspire the community to do the same. Responsibility areas: Project prioritization and budgetingPolicy development, including implementation planningResearch and benchmarkingStaff hiring and managementGrant writingRelationship building with local nonprofit organizationsSpecial project management:Housing Needs AssessmentRiverfront Vision PlanFlood Vulnerability AssessmentNancy Creek Improvements (obtained $400K grant)Trail Segment 2a (obtained $3M grant)Native plant gardens design

• Coordinate long-range planning:• Review all materials for the re-write of the Development Code• Propose new zoning for the entire City• Coordinate the major update of the Comprehensive Plan• Supervise the preparation of the Assessment of Fair Housing• Oversee current planning activities:• Manage complex and large-scale rezoning cases• Facilitate community meetings, present at public hearings• Review proposed development projects for Code compliance• Provide official zoning interpretation• Supervise the 6-people planning team:• Develop individual work programs• Assign tasks and monitor progressSenior Planner - April 2015 to September 2017

• Maintain the Comprehensive Plan: Update the Short Term Work Program as required by State law Monitor demographic and economic trends• Draft zoning ordinances: Research model ordinances and legal cases Conduct public meetings and obtain stakeholder feedback• Prepare special plans and studies: Developed the Urban Redevelopment Plan to spur investment in the industrial district Obtained State approval of the Opportunity Zone, an economic development tool• Review proposed development projects for compliance with the local Unified Development Ordinance• Represent the County at the Atlanta Regional Commission• Additional responsibilities: Interim Zoning Administrator, 01-2011 to 03-2012 Interim Forester, 03-2013 to 02-2014

• Develop and deliver environmental education programs• Coordinate Adopt-A-Stream volunteer workshops• Write the landscaping maintenance contract for all CCWS facilities• Update the Rain Garden master plan and supervise maintenance• Design public outreach material

Support the horticulturists with daily maintenance: pruning, planting, weeding, watering, mulching

• Project coordination with clients and consultants• Design from concept through construction• Supervision of the production team• Quality control of documents for presentation• LEED certification administration• Areas of expertise: sustainable design, mixed-use master planning, military housing• Member of the CORE Group, an employee-driven approach to integrate sustainability in all aspects of the practice

• Assist with design development and construction administration• Conduct the environmental quality assessment of the Papineau Creek watershed