Development Review Planner

About the City of Chattanooga

Chattanooga is a vibrant and growing community of over 190,000 residents within a metropolitan area of nearly 600,000. Nestled along the Tennessee River and surrounded by the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, the "Scenic City" is a hub of outdoor adventure and innovation. Home to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) and Chattanooga State Community College, the city blends a rich industrial history with a tech-forward future—famously powered by the nation's first community-wide "Gig" fiber-optic network. Chattanooga was also recently designated as a "National Park City," the first of its kind in the United States.

The City of Chattanooga is powered by a dedicated workforce of approximately 2,600 employees committed to excellence in public service. The team ensures the city thrives through a wide range of municipal services, including Public Safety (Police and Fire), Infrastructure & Utilities (Public Works, Waste Resources, Stormwater management), Quality of Life (Parks and Outdoors, Community Development, Public Library), Transportation (Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport, transit initiatives), and Innovation (smart-city programs and workforce development policies).

Why Choose Chattanooga?

The City of Chattanooga's workforce is the heartbeat of the community. The city offers careers with purpose: making Chattanooga the best city in America. The organization is committed to being the premier employer of choice in Southeast Tennessee by providing:

• Competitive Compensation: Robust pay scales that reflect commitment to staff.
• Work-Life Balance: Generous paid time off and flexible scheduling where possible.
• Exceptional Wellness: Comprehensive health benefits and wellness programs, featuring a centralized health clinic and pharmacy for all City employees.
• Growth: A focus on professional development and upward mobility within the organization.
• The Great Outdoors: Chattanooga is immersed in nature, offering world-class adventure less than an hour away—including rock climbing, whitewater kayaking, fishing, paddling, and a massive network of mountain biking and hiking trails.

Role Summary

Incumbents in this classification are responsible for administering and implementing the City of Chattanooga's zoning and sign regulations within assigned zoning frameworks, which may include Historic Zoning, Form-Based Code Zoning or Euclidean Zoning areas. This position provides expertise to ensure development projects comply with applicable zoning ordinances, design standards and related regulations. Zoning regulations administered may include, but are not limited to, the Local Historic Districts and Landmarks Guidelines, Form-Based Code, Euclidean Zoning Code, Sign Code, and other local, state, and federal codes, standards, and regulations referenced by or applied in conjunction with these ordinances. Duties include coordinating the zoning development review process for development projects throughout the City of Chattanooga, conducting zoning and design reviews, and performing inspections, as applicable, to ensure compliance with adopted regulations. Work requires limited supervision and the use of independent judgment and discretion.

Responsibilities

• Reviews development proposals, permit applications and associated materials, and construction plans; analyzes zoning, land use and design data to evaluate project feasibility; conducts site visits and inspections to ensure compliance with assigned zoning ordinances, design standards, sign regulations and other applicable local, state, and federal requirements.
• Identifies issues with proposed plans and formulates recommendations, including alternative approaches, to meet applicable requirements.
• Issues correction notices, stop-work notices, and/or court citations for non-compliance.
• Conducts staff development and design reviews, including preparation and issuance of applicable approvals, permits, and certificates.
• Tracks approved projects through the permit and construction process to ensure consistency with approved plans and conditions.
• Performs inspections and site visits to verify compliance with approved plans, applicable regulations, and development standards, including, but not limited to, compliance, foundation, framing, and final inspections.
• Documents site conditions and project progress through photographs and written records utilizing enforcement and case management software systems for tracking, documentation and reporting.
• Uses documentation for administrative review and presentation to applicable boards/commissions; prepares board/commission presentations, which may include analysis of each project for the board/commission to determine if the project meets regulations.
• Provides technical assistance and professional guidance to elected and appointed officials, design professionals, developers, property owners, and the general public regarding zoning regulations, design standards, development review processes, application requirements, and code interpretation.
• Responds to public inquiries and meets with stakeholders to discuss project plans and development options.
• Serves as a technical resource on committees, task forces, and other groups as well as at various functions, including state and national conferences, and local non-profit events.
• Prepares agendas, presentations, staff reports, analyses, findings, and recommendations for review by boards, commissions or City Council.
• Provides oversight for support staff (administrative assistants, interns) in the preparation and distribution of various activities and materials, including educational materials, informational packets for board members, meeting minutes, public meeting materials, grant applications and materials, archiving and maintaining records.
• Serves as Staff Manager for applicable board, commission, or committee overseeing appointments, membership, and digital management of member standings.
• Participates in public meetings (including Form-Based Code Committee, Board of Zoning Appeals, City Council and Chattanooga Historical Zoning Commission), public hearings (including AHO and City Court), staff reviews and/or other related group processes to receive and convey information and provide technical direction and assistance.
• Communicates and collaborates with a variety of governmental departments (internal and external), agencies, consultants, boards, and community organizations on plans and studies; organizes, conducts and facilitates meetings with applicants, community groups, boards, neighborhood associations and elected officials.
• Coordinates development projects throughout the zoning and permitting process and serves as a project manager for assigned cases.
• Works collaboratively with internal City departments and external agencies, including but not limited to transportation, fire, building, utilities, and public works, to address project requirements, resolve issues, and facilitate timely reviews and approvals.
• Assists with policy and ordinance support by participating in the development, drafting, and implementation of zoning ordinances, land development codes, administrative procedures, and policy updates related to assigned zoning frameworks.
• Prepares and reviews documents related to zoning and design policy implementation, including resolutions to send to City Council, ordinances, regulations, staff reports, grant applications, technical reports and requests for proposals.
• Issues staff and board or committee certificates, variances, modifications, or other applicable permits.
• Conducts research related to zoning, land use, design standards, development review and policy implementation in the Form-Based, Historic and Euclidean zoning areas.
• Identifies grant opportunities; develops and submits grant applications; administers awarded grants; manages and establishes budget for grant application projects; works with Mayor's office and City Council to establish matching funds and receive budget approvals.
• Facilitates community education and outreach activities through the preparation and presentation of various materials (including reports, brochures, maps, and visual presentations) to state and national conferences, community leaders, elected officials, advisory boards, neighborhood associations, non-profit agencies and professional organizations.
• Researches and presents case findings for Chancery Court sessions, demolition hearings, and Administrative Hearing Officers.
• Conducts research and prepares reports; updates existing plans, studies, programs and regulations.
• Maintains accurate and organized records of development applications, review comments, approvals, permits, enforcement actions, and related documentation.
• Utilizes planning, permitting, and GIS-based software and databases for case management, reporting, mapping, and analysis.
• Updates applicable website pages in conjunction with the IT department to ensure accurate and up to date information on zoning and sign regulations within the assigned area.
• Researches and submits annual Certified Local Government reports to the State Historic Preservation Office and the National Park Service.
• Reviews urban centers and neighborhoods for potential nomination and maintenance of Local Historic Districts, Local Historic Conservation Overlay Districts, and Local Historic Landmark Buildings.
• Reviews all National Register nominations submitted to the National Register State Review Board and presents to Chattanooga Historic Zoning Commission for vote on eligibility.
• Must meet regular attendance requirements.

Pay & Schedule

Salary: $60,088 – $72,593 annually (GS.11)

Work Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. (EST). Hours may vary due to work assignments or projects.

Work Location: 1250 Market Street, Chattanooga, TN

FLSA Status: This is an Exempt position.