Mission

The Planning Department provides professional, quality service in a friendly responsive manner in order to:

• Assist elected and appointed officials in planning for future land use, development, and re-development in harmony with community values.
• Facilitate community involvement in decision-making process.
• Administer adopted regulations and guidelines in a fair and impartial manner.
• Manage the zoning, subdivision, and design review process efficiently.
• Resolve to the best of our ability the inevitable issues and conflicts associated with changing land use and development.

Description

The Planning Department has four major functions that include Long Range Planning and Research, Current Planning, Zoning Administration, and Administration under the direction of Jim May, AICP, Deputy Director of Current Planning, (623) 930- 2594, JMay@glendaleaz.com.

Long Range Planning and Research: This function is responsible for long range physical planning and the preparation, monitoring and update of the General Plan, special studies, specific plans, research, population estimates, GIS and mapping services, and annexation analysis/application processing. The Historic Preservation Plan and Ordinance is administered and National Register nominations are prepared. Staff support is provided to the Historic Preservation Commission. Contact person is Ron Short, FAICP, Deputy Director for Long Range Planning, (623) 930-2592, RShort@glendaleaz.com.

Current Planning: This function manages the processing and review of land use applications including General Plan amendments, rezoning, conditional use permits, preliminary and final plats, residential and commercial design reviews, and custom home reviews. Planning staff provides support to the Planning Commission and administers the Citizen Participation Ordinance, Zoning Ordinance, and Subdivision regulations. Staff support is provided to the Planning Commission. Contact person is Tabitha Perry, Interim Principal Planner for Current Planning, (623) 930- 2596, TPerry@glendalaz.com.

Zoning Administration: The Zoning Administrator and staff is responsible for interpretation of the Zoning Ordinance and processing variance requests, group home reviews, appeals, zoning administration review and relief requests, commercial tenant improvements, special events, liquor license reviews, and business license reviews. Staff support is provided to the Board of Adjustment. Contact person is Maryanne Pickering, AICP, Interim Zoning Administrator, (623) 930- 2590, MPickering@glendaleaz.com.

Administration: The staff provides support to the other department functions through preparation of staff reports for the City Council, Planning Commission, Board of Adjustment, and Historic Preservation Commission meetings, hearings, and workshops. Staff assures proper notification and advertising of cases and manages the Citizen Participation Ordinance, Request for Service inquires, and provides staff for the various public hearings and meetings. Contact person is Erin O'Neil,
Senior Management Assistant, (623) 930-2917, EOneil@glendaleaz.com