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Planning & Development - Staff

Mission Statement:
The Department of Planning & Development enforces all land use related ordinances, conducts all comprehensive planning activities, and is responsible for all construction and development permitting within Duluth. Our objective is to protect Duluth's heritage while developing a safe, well-designed City for the future. We will achieve this through strong, yet workable, zoning and development regulations.

The Department does not accept solicitations without appointments.  If you would like to leave information, you may do so and it will be reviewed and you may be contacted (if necessary).  We appreciate your cooperation.

Department History
The City first adopted zoning in 1970 and the first Planning Commission was appointed in 1973. The Department of Planning and Development has been in operation since 1983. Prior to 1983, Gwinnett County handled all permitting, inspections, and similar issues.

Planning & Development Staff

• Director: Clifford M. Cross
• Administrative Assistant: Carol Hill
• Building Inspector (contractor, part-time only): Ray Campbell
• Code Compliance Planner: Sherri Hancel
• Development Inspector: Steve Lykins
• Economic Development Manager: Chris McGahee
• GIS Manager: Tim Lawrence
• Senior Planner: Chris Collins
• Zoning & Development Planner: Rich Atkinson
   

Zoning Certification
If you would like to request a Letter of Zoning Certification on property located within the City Limits of Duluth, you must make the request in writing to our Department.  Your request must include the property's Tax Parcel Number (a seven digit number).  Zoning cannot be certified by the address of the property, as not all properties have addresses.  Requests can be faxed to 770-814-3008.  There is a $10.00 charge for a Letter of Zoning Certification that must be paid prior to issuance of the letter.  You may submit payment when you pick up the letter or note in your request that a check will be mailed immediately.  The letter will include a map of the area and the uses allowed in the zoning category.  For further information, please call 770-476-1790.

Customer Service Standards

• Mail requests for copies of ordinances, publications and development and zoning regulations by close of business the day of the request.
• Provide a status report within 24 hours if we are unable to answer questions promptly.
• Process all completed land use applications, rezoning, conditional use permit, variance, appeals, special use permits, and moved-in house applications within the time frame specified by law.
• Conduct public hearings and meetings in a professional manner consistent with the established laws and procedures.
• Certify zoning on a parcel within one business day.
• Notify applicant of any application deficiencies within one business day of the deficiency.
• Be flexible with submittal deadlines for variance applications to the Zoning Board of Appeals to the maximum extent possible.
• Notify applicant seeking variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals of application deficiencies within one business day of the discovery of the deficiency.
• Mail applicants notification of the decision made by the Zoning Board of Appeals within two business days of the decision.
• Acknowledge receipt of complaints (service requests) by returning a call to the complainant within one business day.
• Provide an update to the complainant on the status of their complaint within one day of completion of the investigation.
• Contact the defendant (in person, by telephone, by warning tag or by letter) regarding the findings of the initial investigation about a violation within one business day.
• Respond to inspection requests within one business day.
• Update permit files within one business day of receiving sub-contractor affidavits.
• Contact power and gas utilities releasing temporary and permanent service within one business day.
• Notify applicant seeking a modification from the Development regulations of application deficiencies within one business day of discovery of the deficiency.
• Mail applicant notification of the decisions made by staff regarding modification of applications within two business days of the decision.
• Maintain a Comprehensive Development Plan and Zoning Ordinances with appropriate supporting ordinances.