The Atlanta City Council confirmed James Shelby on Oct. 20 as the city’s commissioner of planning and community development. Shelby previously served as deputy commissioner and became acting commissioner after the resignation of Steven Cover in late September.
Shelby officially takes over a department of more than 200 employees. It includes the Bureaus of Buildings, Code Compliance, Housing and Planning and the arborist division. His annual salary and benefits package is about $166,000.
Before joining the Department of Planning and Community Development in 2004, Shelby served as planning director for the city of Jackson, Miss.
Other changes also were announced in the Department of Planning and Community Development.
Terri Lee was appointed deputy commissioner. She served as director of the Bureau of Housing for more than four years and managed the bureau’s implementation of federally funded housing programs.
Under her leadership, the Bureau of Housing expanded to become a major stakeholder in the development of affordable-housing policy for Atlanta. Lee has more than 13 years’ experience in housing and community development, including the implementation of neighborhood redevelopment programs.
Evelyn Nu’Man was named director of the Bureau of Housing. Nu’Man previously served as principal management analyst and financial manager in the bureau. She has more than 27 years’ experience in working with the city’s affordable housing and redevelopment programs.
Mike Renshaw joined the city in October as the director of the Bureau of Code Compliance. The bureau is responsible for the inspection of residential and commercial properties to enforce the city housing code, graffiti ordinance, and commercial maintenance and industrial code. He came to Atlanta from Mesa, Ariz., where he served as the code compliance director.
During the summer, Charletta Wilson Jacks was named director of the Bureau of Planning. She was acting director of the bureau and assistant director and zoning administrator. She has more than 25 years’ planning experience in the public and private sector.
While she was zoning administrator, the City Council approved key zoning legislation, including the BeltLine Overlay District and the residential scale ordinance.
“I am confident that this team, which brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table, will ensure that the department continues to thrive,” Shelby said. “I look forward to working with each of them and the outstanding staff within the department to serve Atlanta well.”
— John Schaffner