Department Overview
Josh Gunselman, Director of Community Development & Planning
Becki Moorman, Community Development & Planning Assistant
Adam Bower, Permitting Specialist
The Department of Community Development & Planning provides the citizens and businesses of Jasper with economic development, long-term planning through the comprehensive plan, strategic planning and land use issues including zoning and building services necessary to maintain a vibrant community that promotes good quality of life. The department works with a number of citizen boards that handles the majority of the community's economic, redevelopment and land use issues.
The Jasper Plan Commission (JPC), an 11-member board, addresses rezoning and subdivision of land requests for the City and its two-mile jurisdiction in addition to maintaining and updating the City's Comprehensive Plan. The Jasper Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) is a five-member board that addresses variances to the standards laid out in the city's Unified Development Ordinance. The primary types of appeals that can be filed with the BZA include: Nonconforming Situation Ruling; Administrative Appeal Ruling; Special Exception; Development Standard Variance; and Use Variance.
The Department serves as a one-stop shop for community development projects as well as property owners looking to improve and maintain the value of their neighborhoods. The department provides an exceptional customer service experience that residents and businesses expect.
In addressing the City's land use concerns, the Department of Community Development and Planning issues a variety of permits relating to construction projects. Location improvement permits (building), sign permits, fence permits, pool permits, demolition permits and land grading/disturbance permits are a sampling of the permits granted. The Department also organizes a team of various City of Jasper departments to provide a technical review of commercial and industrial projects and plans for new subdivisions.
As its name implies, the Department of Community Development and Planning handles community development matters for the City of Jasper. The department is responsible for qualifying relocating or expanding businesses that are seeking City incentives such as tax abatements.
Quality of life issues such as housing, downtown revitalization and tourism development are also addressed. Additionally, the department is responsible for overseeing the City's comprehensive plan as well as the City's branding and marketing strategy.
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