Published: October 24, 2008 08:08 pm      

Avon hires new planning director

AVON — — Albert Salzman was recently hired as the new director of planning and building for the Town of Avon.

Salzman, who is currently the senior planner for the City of Westfield, will be responsible for all phases of development and entitlement processes. He will begin work here on Oct. 27.

Christine Owens, the town’s previous planning director took a job as planning director with the Town of Cumberland.

In an effort to streamline the process, Avon has hired Salzman to head up both the planning and building departments. The building department is part of the planning department and has a building commissioner and building inspector that had reported directly to Avon Town Manager Tom Klein. Now that Salzman will be heading up both departments, the building inspector and building commissioner will report directly to him.

“Consolidating the two departments under Al’s leadership will make project review and approvals more efficient,” Klein said.

Originally from Evanston, Ill., Salzman earned a bachelors degree in urban planning and environmental design from Ball State University. He is a certified planner through the American Institute of Certified Planners, and a member of the Indiana Planning Association and American Planning Association. He also earned an economic development certificate from the Indiana Economic Development Academy at BSU.

Salzman was the senior planner for the City of Indianapolis for two years and has been at his Westfield position for the past six years.

Westfield, in Hamilton County, has experienced explosive growth patterns similar to those in Avon. He said he believes his experience with handling positions for ordinance appeals and zoning requests, conducting public hearings, managing long-range planning initiatives, and administering development regulations will help him with his position here.

“It’s a great opportunity for me,” Salzman said. “It will give me an opportunity to use all my skills to help a developing community attain its goals.”

He added that a planning and building department works best when it is easily understood by both professionals and citizens.

“Zoning ordinances and planning documents serve the public and it has to be visible and accessible to the public they serve,” he said.

Salzman, his wife, and two children are already familiar with Avon as his children have participated in a soccer league here. The family intends to move to the area in the near future.



andrea.hirsch@flyergroup.com