Sarosh Saher, Aicp Email & Phone Number

Community Development Department

Plan, direct, manage and oversee the activities and operation of the Community Development Department, including land use, long and short range planning, building codes, permit issuance, inspections, environmental review, and economic development.• Lead and support the Community Development Department functions including general planning/zoning and building services, including the supervision of six full-time and two to three part-time staff. Provide leadership and direction in the development of short and long range plan; gather, interpret, and prepare data for studies, reports and recommendations; coordinate division activities with other departments and agencies as needed. • Prepare studies and reports on community and economic development, housing and real estate property, housing, and related matters. Review current trends and developments in the field of planning and construction, and prepares revisions to codes, ordinances and local regulations. • Communicate official programs, policies and procedures to staff and the general public. Serve as liaison with local, state and federal officials, community interest groups, housing, commercial and industrial developers/providers. • Staff liaison to the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Community Development Department

• Supervised the primary functions of the Community Development Department including current and comprehensive land use planning, zoning administration, geographic information systems (GIS), downtown revitalization, historic preservation, and federal grant administration.• Reviewed petitions for annexation, zoning and subdivision, conditional uses, map amendments and zoning variations, as staff coordinator and liaison between developers, citizens, and the City of Elgin.• Administered Title 19 of the Elgin Municipal Code – “Zoning” at the Community Development Department in responding to inquiries, requests for zoning review and building permits.• When required served as Staff Liaison and Commission Secretary to the Planning and Zoning Commission during public hearings to consider annexation, zoning, variation and subdivision petitions.• Supervised planning staff, code enforcement inspectors, contractors and consultants on projects; balance workloads; maintain customer service standards; and ensure all development applications and zoning inquiries are coordinated and reviewed in a comprehensive, professional, effective, and efficient manner.

Planning & Neighborhood Services Department

• Served as Liaison and Executive Secretary to the Elgin Heritage Commission – on survey and inventory, National Register listings, Heritage Building Plaques, Preservation Month activities, and the annual Mayor’s Awards for Preservation.• Provided full oversight on reports and requests for Certificates of Appropriateness.• Developed and administered the City’s Historic Architectural Rehabilitation Grant programs.• Administered a programmatic agreement between Elgin and the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (IHPA).• Provided architectural design review of new projects within Elgin’s downtown and new development throughout the City.• Enhanced and administered the City’s Downtown Facade Improvement Program for the rehabilitation and restoration of commercial building facades.

Columbus, Ohio

• Managed the federal Rehabilitation Investment Tax Credit Program for the State of Ohio.• Assessed the effects of federally assisted projects on historic properties under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.• Managed the “Building Doctor Program.” Conducted technical lectures and other presentations in smaller communities throughout the state, and site consultations to advise owners of historic buildings on technical preservation matters.

• Staff Liaison to the German Village Commission• Reviewed applications for Certificates of Appropriateness (COA) for exterior changes to structures in conformance with the design guidelines.

Master Of City And Regional Planning, City And Regional Planning, Historic Preservation

Urban Design

Bachelor Of Architecture, Architecture And Design