Thara M. Johnson, Mep Email & Phone Number

Kirkland, Wa, Us

Bellevue, Washington, Us

• Directs the development and implementation of the City’s long-range plan Comprehensive Plan, ensuring the alignment with Growth Management mandates and regional goals, positioning the City for sustainable growth over the next 20 years while managing the annual budget for the division• Oversees program areas relating to long range planning, urban design, affordable housing and climate change • Supervises and mentors four professional managers and 27 indirect reports, providing clear directives and performance feedback to ensure high standards of excellence and team cohesion• Gathers, interprets and synthesizes federal, state, and local data for studies, reports, and recommendations using advanced tools to ensure accuracy and relevance in planning initiatives• Coordinates inter-departmental activities and collaborates with external agencies, employing enhanced communication strategies to foster effective cross-functional partnerships• Prepares and manages annual budget requests, conducts cost control activities, and monitors fiscal performance, utilizing financial forecasting for optimal resource allocation• Delivers impactful presentations to City management, City Council, legislative bodies, and regional committees, utilizing data visualizations to advocate for strategic planning initiatives and policy recommendations

Bellevue, Washington, Us

• Managed a team of five urban planning professionals, providing leadership and guidance to ensure cohesive team performance and alignment with departmental goals within the $75M department budget• Recruited, trained, mentored, and motivated a high-performing team of professional planning staff, fostering a culture of excellence and innovation• Managed $1.3M in contracts and professional services to support the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process, ensuring compliance with budgetary guidelines and facilitating strategic project outcomes• Led the periodic update of the City of Bellevue’s Comprehensive Plan, including an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to strategize growth management for anticipated 2024 expansion, ensuring a balanced jobs-housing ratio and addressing equity considerations • Defined and executed goals for the Comprehensive Planning Team, collaborating closely with senior management and the Leadership Team to drive the Planning Division’s work program• Implemented the City’s Affordable Housing Strategy and regional initiatives, including updated housing needs assessments and exploration of a mandatory affordable housing program• Effectively managed budgetary allocations and staff resources to achieve Comprehensive Planning Team objectives• Demonstrated expert knowledge of regional planning, growth management, and comprehensive planning issues, employing inclusive engagement processes to ensure community involvement and support• Applied a forward-thinking approach to planning and development, understanding the interconnected nature of growth issues and their implications for Bellevue’s future sustainability• Offered policy guidance and recommendations at regional commissions and meetings, advocating for Bellevue’s interests in transportation, growth targets, housing policy evaluation, affordable housing, and homelessness

Burien, Washington, Us

• Managed and oversaw Long Range Planning, Land Use Development, and Building & Planning programs, providing technical advice at City councils, committees, and regional commissions• Led the City of Burien’s Regional Urban Growth Centers Plan, creating a vision for growth, sustainability, and livability, and planning capital facilities, infrastructure, and services for increased density, leading to a substantial increase in housing capacity • Supervised two Senior Planners, enhancing team productivity and ensuring timely, on-budget completion of key projects• Updated the City’s Comprehensive Plan to comply with Growth Management mandates and PSRC’s Vision 2040/2050 goals, meeting population, housing, and employment targets for the next twenty years, positioning the City for a 15% population growth• Created the Affordable Housing Demonstration Program, initiating four affordable housing projects and collaborated with six cities on a subregional housing needs assessment, increasing regional housing stock • Acted as SEPA Responsible Official, representing the City on the Seatac Airport Master Plan Advisory Committee• Represented Burien on regional committees, collaborating on complex, multi-disciplinary project teams, resulting in successful implementation of regional projects worth over $50 million• Conducted public workshops and represented the City on housing policy evaluation, affordable housing, and homelessness issues, increasing public engagement and informing policy decisions• Updated zoning codes through legislative processes, addressing regulations for Accessory Dwelling Units, signs, and Essential Services Facilities, increasing regulatory compliance • Assessed, recommended, and implemented an online permitting system, enhancing efficiency and reducing permit processing times • Represented the City on King County Climate Action Initiatives and Green Tools Sustainability, contributing to a reduction in the City’s carbon footprint

Newcastle, Washington, Us

• Managed and directed a team of 8 - 15 professionals, overseeing Long Range Planning, Land Use Development, Building, and the Planning & Community Activities Commission, enhancing department efficiency• Administered the Comprehensive Plan and Land Development projects, drafting code provisions to correct regulatory deficiencies, resulting in an improvement in compliance rates• Led the City of Newcastle’s Downtown Strategic Plan, aligning a vision for downtown redevelopment that improved pedestrian and public spaces and guided superior design for future developments• Proactively updated and implemented the City’s Comprehensive Plan to comply with Growth Management mandates and PSRC’s Vision 2040 goals, addressing population, housing, and employment targets for the next twenty years, positioning the City for growth in housing units• Represented the City of Newcastle in the Energize Eastside Proposal, strategically assessing unique impacts as part of the EIS process and collaborating with other cities on mitigation strategies, reducing environmental impacts• Strengthened economic viability by building and maintaining relationships with private developers and public agencies to attract new investments• Oversaw the Planning and Community Activities Division, supporting community programs that foster social connectedness and awareness, increasing community engagement through strategic outreach and social media• Supervised staff activities through weekly action-update meetings, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and improving team productivity and continuous improvement• Utilized information technology to assess opportunities for improved efficiencies, enhancing departmental operations and reducing administrative costs

Wa, Us

• Supervised planning staff, directed work efforts, and promoted professional growth of five direct reports, leading to a 20% increase in staff productivity and successful completion of special projects • Updated the City’s Comprehensive Plan, implementing a new Town Center Plan and significant land use changes, resulting in an increase in mixed-use developments and improved urban infrastructure• Coordinated Town Hall meetings and open houses with citizens and stakeholders, enhancing public engagement by 30% • Composed regulations and design standards for mixed-use development, successfully implementing policies and goals of the Comprehensive Plan, leading to a 15% increase in compliance rates• Oversaw the processing of annexation, future land use, and rezoning applications, reducing application review times by 20% and improving approval rates• Led updates on the City’s Critical Area Regulations, Shoreline Master Program, and SEPA amendments, ensuring regulatory compliance and environmental protection• Managed consultant contracts for various City projects and Interlocal Agreements with neighboring cities, optimizing staffing solutions and saving the City $200k annually• Prepared and implemented the department budget, recommending cost reduction efficiencies that resulted in a 10% decrease in operational costs• Guided staff in developing analytical abilities and effective customer service skills, enhancing team performance and stakeholder satisfaction by conducting performance reviews, providing constructive feedback and development plans, improving staff performance • Supervised fiscal services for the permitting center, including accounting, collections, budgeting, purchasing, and financial reporting, resulting in a 10% increase in budgetary accuracy and efficiency• Coordinated special projects for the City, including planning, design, implementation, and evaluation of new programs, successfully launching initiatives that improved community services

Redmond, Washington, Us

• Supervised and mentored Assistant Planners, enhancing team efficiency and ensuring high-quality project outcomes• Managed complex and controversial development proposals from design and entitlement through building permit compliance and final site inspections, achieving a 95% approval rate• Oversaw annual Zoning Code amendments, successfully navigating them through the Planning Commission and City Council, resulting in a reduction in processing times• Implemented a new online zoning code and trained staff on the City of Redmond’s online permitting system, increasing system utilization by 40%• Researched, prepared, and presented staff reports on development proposals and code amendments to the Design Review Board, Hearing Examiner, and City Council, securing approvals for 85% of proposals• Implemented the City’s Greenhouse Gas Audit program and Climate Action Plan, reducing citywide emissions by 15%• Ensured compliance of development proposals with the State Environmental Policy Act, Shoreline Management Act, and Critical Areas Ordinance, achieving a 100% compliance rate• Led the review of Critical Area impacts associated with both private development and City projects, successfully implementing wetland and stream mitigation plans, enhancing environmental sustainability • Guided environmental permitting and compliance for the City’s Capital Improvement Projects, ensuring adherence to NEPA & SEPA, HPA permits, and Forest Practices regulations, increasing project approval rates• Represented the City as lead on Archeological issues, collaborating with the Tribal Authority to implement a Cultural Resources Plan, preserving 95% of identified cultural sites

Phoenix, Az, Us

• Reviewed and processed over 150 complex land use applications annually, ensuring compliance with various codes and facilitating developer agreements and surety documentation, improving processing efficiency • Managed over 120 cases as the lead planner in a highly competitive environment, overseeing subdivisions, master plans, multifamily, and commercial development proposals, resulting in a higher project approval rate• Researched, prepared, and presented comprehensive staff reports on planning issues to the Planning Commission, Board of Supervisors, and other County boards and commissions, achieving a 90% approval rate for recommendations• Communicated and interpreted Planning Department policies and regulations, zoning, subdivision, site plan review, and other relevant land use regulations to land developers and the public, enhancing stakeholder understanding and compliance • Evaluated local government comprehensive plan amendments and appraised reports for potential environmental impacts, providing recommendations to the state growth management agency that significantly minimized adverse environmental effects, fostering a more sustainable future• Led Pre-Application and Technical Advisory Committee meetings, fostering collaboration between developers and county officials to streamline the planning process and reduce project timelines

Masters In Environmental Planning, City/Urban, Community And Regional Planning

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.) Sociology, Sociology

Education record