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Press Release: City of Berkeley Gets New Planning Director
Eric Angstadt, the City of Berkeley’s new Planning Director, started work this week. His appointment was confirmed by the City Council at their April 3 meeting.
“Eric is a 16-year veteran of planning and economic development, and has considerable technical knowledge and experience,” said Interim City Manager Christine Daniel, who made the selection after a nationwide search. “He also has the leadership skills necessary to help the department maintain and improve its services in the face of very difficult budget times.”
The department had been managed by Interim Director Wendy Cosin since former Planning Director Dan Marks retired last July.
Biography
Angstadt was with the City of Oakland for the last six and half years, where he rose up the ranks to become the Director of the Department of Planning, Building and Neighborhood Preservation. Some of his achievements include:
• Updating the City’s zoning code, which had not had a comprehensive update since 1965;
• Receiving an award of merit from the Northern California Chapter of the American Planning Association for the zoning code update;
• Initiating five specific areas plans;
• Receiving an award from the Northern California Chapter of the American Planning Association for the grassroots efforts that were part of the International Boulevard Transit Oriented Development Plan; and
• Serving as the Environmental Review Officer and NEPA Review Officer for Oakland.
Prior to working in Oakland, Eric was a planner and interim economic development director for the City of Benicia and as a consultant and contract planner for numerous companies and jurisdictions. Eric was also an economic development specialist for the State of Tennessee, where he help attract, retain and expand businesses in 16 rural counties. Before becoming a city planner, Eric was an archaeologist in the Southwest and taught archaeology in the Maricopa County Community College system.
About the Department
The Planning Department currently has just over 50 full time equivalent positions. The
Department is organized into five operating divisions: Building and Safety, Land Use Planning, Office of Energy and Sustainable Development, the Permit Service Center (PSC), and Toxics Management.
The Planning Department staffs seven commissions: Community Environmental
Advisory Commission; Energy Commission; Design Review Committee; Landmarks
Preservation Commission; Medical Cannabis Commission; Planning Commission; and
the Zoning Adjustments Board.
For more information, please visit the April 3 Council report here (http://www.cityofberkeley.
More information about the Planning Department is available at www.CityofBerkeley.info/
