Public can meet 3 finalists for Boulder planning director

Boulder on Thursday announced the three finalists to fill the city's vacant role as director of the Planning, Housing and Sustainability department.The public is invited to meet the candidates at an open reception Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Boulder...

Public can meet 3 finalists for Boulder planning director

Boulder on Thursday announced the three finalists to fill the city's vacant role as director of the Planning, Housing and Sustainability department.

The public is invited to meet the candidates at an open reception Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, 1750 13th St.

The three finalists are:

• Daniel Hernandez, deputy commissioner of New York City's Department of Housing Preservation and Development

• Ed McKinney, interim planning director for Charlotte, N.C.

• Travis Parker, planning director for Lakewood

Whomever wins the job will fill the seat previously held by David Driskell, who served as the department director for eight years before taking a new job Portland, Ore., late last year.

The position is one of the most influential among all staff jobs in Boulder, as the Planning, Housing and Sustainability office oversees climate action, housing policy and long-term, land-use priorities, among other key items.

Driskell was replaced after his departure by his longtime deputy, Susan Richstone. She has served as interim director, but will retire next month.

The city says it will appoint David Gehr, current deputy city attorney and 27-year employee of Boulder, to act as interim director once Richstone retires.

The long-term replacement will begin in June, the city expects.

Alex Burness: 303-473-1389, burnessa@dailycamera.com or twitter.com/alex_burness

Our editors found this article on this site using Google and regenerated it for our readers.