For Immediate Release
September 29, 2014
Media Contact:
Thomas R. Lorenz, Public Information Officer
Glendale’s Community Development Department Named #1 in the State
The California Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA) recognized the City's Community Development Department as the #1 Department of its kind in the entire state of California. The award comes after the Los Angeles Chapter of APA recognized the department as the best in Los Angeles County. Under the leadership of Hassan Haghani, CDD stands above others because it provides innovative, high‐quality, and effective planning and outreach services to the community. CDD has successfully continued to improve its level and quality of service despite significant downsizing due to the economic recession and dissolution of redevelopment.
In 2007 Hassan Haghani became director of Glendale’s Planning Department. He embarked on a mission to transform the department into a design‐centered, goal‐oriented, community‐supported agency that was integrated both internally and with other City departments providing related community services. Starting in 2010, the Planning Department merged with the Neighborhood Services, Housing, Redevelopment, and Building & Safety Divisions to form the current CDD. The integrated Department now contains full in‐house teams addressing planning, urban design, community outreach and engagement, neighborhood problem solving, housing development and housing services, building regulation and the implementation of key community development projects.
This recognition comes as no surprise since each of the Department’s divisions have been recognized regionally for their exceptional programs. CDD has won numerous awards including the Beacon Awards for sustainability, AIA California Chapter Urban Design Award, LA Conservancy Awards, and the California Building Officials’ Building Department of the Year Award. Additionally, CDD has received the SCAG Compass Blueprint Presidents Excellence Award twice since it’s inception in 2007.
APA is an independent educational organization that provides leadership in the development of communities by advocating excellence in planning, promoting education and citizen empowerment.
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The Community Development Department (CDD) works to maintain and improve the high standard of living for which the city of Glendale is known. Our goal is to continuously enhance the character of the City through coordinated programs and streamlined procedures, ensuring that all development is done in a predictable and consistent manner and that the quality and character that Glendale residents expect from their neighborhoods is realized.
Connect with the Community Development Department by signing up for our e-mail newsletter, CDD Connection and by following us on Twitter and Facebook @MyGlendaleCDD.
