Ray B. Email & Phone Number

United States

Santa Ana, California, United States

City Of Gardena

• Ensure the four divisions, Planning, Building & Safety, Code Enforcement and Business Licensing of the City’s Community Development Department work in unison to meet organizational goals and the City’s long-term strategic objectives.• Managed multiple complex development projects, including commercial, residential, and industrial projects; conditional use permits; tentative tract and parcel maps; design review; adjustments; site review; and minor use permits. • Ensure development projects comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and Subdivision Map Act (SMA)• Lead cross-functional Community Development Department teams ranging to 17.• Collaborate with other City departments to implement the City’s five-year strategic plan• Present entitlement projects before the Planning Commission and City Council • Represent the City at community and stakeholder meetings• Identify and implement “best practices” in the field of municipal Community Development• Establish tracking systems, timelines and audit procedures for the Department• 61 entitlement projects processed averaging 5.8 months processing time against an average time of 9 months achieved through streamlining processes• A total of 324 new residential units approved and either built or in construction as a result of a broad-based knowledge of CEQA translating into an increase in project site valuations • Liquidation of City real estate assets • A total of 430,847 square feet of new / remodeled commercial and industrial space approved and built or under construction over a strict timeline of 4 years• Expedited review of leading local, national and global brand’s construction projects, Best Western Hotel, Panda Express, Starbucks, In-N-Out Burger, DaVita Dialysis

• Established effective working relationships with the City Attorney, County of Los Angeles, Fire Department, Department of Fish and Game, and various internal to resolve community and project issues.• Processed entitlement projects for commercial and residential development• Positively represented the City and its goals, policies, and codes at the public counter as well as in the field.• Prepared and presented staff reports and resolutions for Planning Commission review.• Provided assistance at the public counter and responded to telephone inquiries regarding the City’s planning processes, procedures, and the Municipal Code.• Recognized by the senior leadership team for my strategic project management skills resulting in significant residential and commercial development projects.• Implemented citywide economic stimulus efforts, including managing grant programs and business attraction and retention programs.• Established strong working relationships with the business, real estate brokerage, architectural and development communities.• Active member of special projects teams: Redevelopment Agency and Newhall Redevelopment Committee liaison• Produced marketing collateral for specific target audiences• Met with prospective business owners about the benefits of doing business in the City of Santa Clarita• Facilitated community meetings to create interest on various city programs• Design and execution of a grant program totaling $350K to revitalize the Newhall area.• Recognized for implementing and creating a highly challenging and complex sign program for the Auto Center and citywide wayfinding sign program within a 7-month period.• One of the Leaders of the creative team for Senses, a highly successful and impactful street fair that generated significant awareness of the once blighted area of Newhall, as a result this was instrumental in setting the stage for new redevelopment initiatives.

Master'S Degree, Community And Economic Devolpment

Bs, City/Urban, Community And Regional Planning