A monthly eNewsletter from the Division of Planning and Development –November 2020
A Message from John Zeanah, Director
The Division of Planning and Development (DPD) launched its newly redesigned website, Develop901.com. The website features an online solution for land use applications, building permit requests, and plan submission. The Accela Citizen Access (ACA) portal allows you to create and maintain a profile, add delegates that need to do business on your behalf, track application and permit status, request inspections, and much more. This change marks a new way of doing business in Memphis and Shelby County! Check out coverage of this major announcement in the Daily Memphian.
Division Spotlight
This month, we are beginning a new feature to introduce one of the departments working within the division. We begin with a discussion with Ashley Cash who heads up the division's Comprehensive Planning department. Ashley talks with Division Director, John Zeanah, about Memphis 3.0, an upcoming Transit Oriented Development (TOD) plan, and some small area planning activities led by her department.

Click the image below to view the video!
Division Staff Updates
DPD is pleased to announce the promotions of Antwone Smith and Ron Bethea. Antwone has been promoted to the position of Senior Signs and Zoning Inspector. Ron will assume the lead as the Construction Enforcement Department Administrator. The current administrator, Derrick Mink, is retiring this month.

Former interns, Clarke Shupe-Diggs and Faria Naz Urmy, were promoted to Municipal Planners, and the division also welcomes Breana Miller to her role as Executive Secretary and Elizabeth Carey as Municipal Planner.

We look forward to seeing the team members accomplish great things in their new roles.
Planning and Implementation
Shelby County receives $4.1 million Lead Reduction Grant to Support Safer Homes
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The division's Department of Housing was awarded funds to help bring awareness among Shelby County households of potential lead risks and other home health hazards. The $4,143,959 Lead Hazard Reduction and Healthy Homes Program was funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development with matching funds provided by the the City of Memphis' Division of Housing and Community Development. Assistance will be made available county-wide to income eligible households with small children living in pre-1978 housing units.

The Shelby County Health Department will partner in this effort by conducting the lead screening in children. Priority will be placed on assisting communities having a greater proportion of older housing stock, which is often found to have a higher rate of lead in paint and piping. Education and outreach will be conducted to help qualifying heads of households identify and address these hazards and others that could jeopardize the health and well being of young children. 

The program is expected to run at least through 2024 with implementation starting next year. To learn more about this program, please contact Anita Tate, Program Manager, DPD Department of Housing at 901-222-7600.
 
Sustainable Workforce Initiative Partners Selected
The Division's Sustainability and Resilience department is pleased to announce the first cohort of small grants to be awarded in 2020 to help recruit and promote the Sustainable Workforce Initiative. BLDG Memphis has partnered with several local public agencies and community groups to implement this new program addressing the needs of energy-burdened residents by providing weatherization assistance and other energy cost reduction resources.
Announcements
  • Governor Lee’s Executive Order allowing electronic meetings has been extended until further notice.
  • The City Hall Service Center has re-opened to the public by appointment only. Customers should contact 901-636-6619 to schedule their visit.
Upcoming Public Meetings
11/12/20 – Land Use Control Board
11/18/20 – Board of Adjustment
11/19/20 – Landmarks Commission
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