Senior Planner

Job Title

Performs professional planning functions for the orderly development, redevelopment, and growth of the city. Performs a variety of first-line professional and technical duties as needed to plan, organize, direct and coordinate the daily operations of planning and zoning for the city. Leads the development and implementation of comprehensive current and long-range planning documents and resources.

Works under the general guidance and direction of the Community Development Director. Provides general supervision for Planning Staff and/or Planning Consultants.

Oversee and manage the division decision-making processes; develop, implement, evaluate, and revise division policies, practices, priorities, methods, and procedures to improve efficiency and effectiveness of planning functions; serve as administrative advisor and liaison to city council, and planning commission; receives directives, implements options and strategies; coordinates personnel and resources as needed to accomplish projects and programs.

Prepares and sets Planning Commission meeting agendas and serves as the primary staff liaison to the Planning Commission. Prepares staff reports and recommendations; presents planning matters to the Planning Commission and City Council; responds to technical questions and participates in public meetings and hearings to solicit public response and apprise the public of policy and project options. Assists the City Recorder in preparation of meeting agendas as required.

Leads long-range planning activities, including the preparation, implementation, and update of the General Plan, land use regulations, code amendments, and design standards. Conducts research, coordinates public engagement, and drafts proposed updates in consultation with the Community Development Director and Deputy City Attorney. Coordinates with other departments on growth management, land use, economic development, utility, housing, transportation, facilities, solid waste, or other plans and codes to meet the city's needs and any inter-governmental agreements or requirements.

Prepares and submits division budgets; monitors fiscal activity to assure conformity with established budget constraints.

Maintains ongoing comprehensive planning processes and procedures; identifies alternatives for converting policy ideas into action plans affecting city development, expansion, transportation, and related public programs.

Directs or conducts studies; prepares a variety of reports related to project progress; reviews and updates ordinances affecting zoning, signage, land use, development and redevelopment, business licenses, and related departmental areas; coordinates projects with other departments or governmental agencies; conducts public meetings to determine public policy preferences and establish policies and goals; reviews and amends city general plan and moderate income housing plan based upon established goals and policies.

Manages and coordinates landscaping bonds and establishes performance bonds between developers and all applicable city departments while complying with state laws regarding bonding.

Represents the city with regional organizations and agencies such as Wasatch Front Regional Council (WFRC), Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT), Utah Transit Authority (UTA), etc.; monitors State and Federal legislation and analyzes local impacts of potential legislation. Identifies sources for alternative funding related to special projects; applies for grants, implements administrative processes as needed to comply with grant conditions; monitors grant compliance to ensure effective working relationships with funding agencies.

Conducts field inspections of developments as needed to further verify compliance with approved plans and landscape bonding requirements; collaborates with the code enforcement division for enforcement activities as needed.

Meets with public, developers, entrepreneurs, and contractors to discuss planning, zoning, and development issues; interprets city ordinances within assigned authority; and manages development applications through the review process, including site plans, conditional use permits, and rezoning applications. Coordinates review comments from engineering and other city departments; analyzes applications for compliance with applicable plans and regulations; prepares written findings and recommendations; presents applications to the appropriate decision-making body;

and tracks conditions of…