Berkeley Gets New Planning Director

Berkeley’s new planning director started work this week.

A 16-year veteran in planning and economic development, Eric Angstadt came to the city from Oakland, where he headed up the planning, building and neighborhood development department. His accomplishments include updating the city's zoning code, which had not had a comprehensive overhaul since 1965.

The department had been managed by Interim Director Wendy Cosin since former Planning Director Dan Marks retired last July.

He came to Oakland from Benicia, where as a planner and economic development director. He was also an economic development specialist for the State of Tennessee, where he help attract, retain and expand businesses in 16 rural counties. Angstadt's original field was archaeology; he taught community college in the Southwest.

About the Department
The Planning Department more than 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.

For more information, please visit the April 3 Council report here.