McMinnville has hired David Baird as the the city’s Community Development Director.
Baird said he will head the Community Development Department. Baird said his work will cover many facets such as permits, zoning and mapping the city.
“There’s been a lot of talk about rewriting the city’s zoning ordinance and making changes to that,” Baird said. “I think that is one of the primary reasons I was chosen for this position is my vast amount of experience. So, I can tell you that is a priority.”
This will be Baird’s second stint with McMinnville. He previously served as the city planner in 2007 and most recently worked for a private land consulting firm. Baird said as the job title suggests, community input will play a valuable role in future decisions with ordinances and codes.
“What we are really looking for with community input is things that we can change, and things we are looking to modify,” Baird said. “Certain state laws and federal laws we have to abide by, but there are things that we can look to change within those regulations. That is where the community development is helpful.”
Baird started Wednesday and will meet with City Administrator Nolan Ming Thursday to discuss strategies for the future. Baird said they want a mixture of general community input and also local feedback from organizations like the Chamber of Commerce.
“The opportunity, I like the staff and direction that the board has right now,” Baird said. “There is a lot of positive things going on in town.”
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