Planning Division Manager Dean Grandin Retires After 20 Years
Last updated on April 30, 2019
Planning Division Manager Dean Grandin Retires After 20 Years of Service to the City of Orlando
Planning Division Leadership Updates Also Announced
May 1, 2019 – ORLANDO, FL –The City of Orlando is preparing to say goodbye to longtime Planning Division Manager Dean Grandin after 20 years of dedicated service in shaping Orlando into the city it is today. Grandin’s last day in the office is this Friday, May 3, 2019.
“Dean has provided strong leadership and been an integral member of the City team, helping ensure that as we grow as a city, it’s done in a strategic way that helps us better connect our neighborhoods and residential areas,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. “His commitment to understanding the need to plan, not only to meet the demands of today, but of tomorrow, has charted a path for our community to ensure that as we continue to evolve, we protect the unique character that makes our city special.”
During Grandin’s tenure, he has helped lead out on several major projects including the development of southeast Orlando and Lake Nona, Baldwin Park, the Mall at Millenia and most recently, the Creative Village. Over this same 20-year span, Orlando saw the development of more than 45,900 residential units, 12,300 hotel rooms and 31 million square feet of office, retail, hospital, and civic space.
“Dean has been a true asset to not only the City of Orlando, but the entire community,” said City of Orlando Economic Development Director Brooke Bonnett. ”His passion for ensuring this city’s livability is evident, from championing excellence in design to creating a sense of place through thoughtfully planned public spaces, corridors and neighborhoods that balance our past with the future, you can see Dean’s imprint and influence nearly everywhere you look.”
Dean retires with more than 40 years of planning experience, having held the positions of Planning Director for the City of Yonkers, New York, and Planning Director and Deputy Director of Development for the City of Miami Beach, Florida, prior to coming to the City of Orlando in 1999 as the Planning Division Manager.
In recognition of his many accomplishments, Grandin will also be honored with the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Award of Merit at the AIA Orlando Design Awards Gala on Saturday, May 4, 2019, recognizing his passion for authentic architecture and superior quality designs.
With Grandin’s retirement, Mayor Dyer has appointed Elisabeth Dang as the new Planning Division Manager. Dang has served the citizens of Orlando for more than 15 years, starting with the City’s Planning Division in 2004 as a planner. Since 2006, Elisabeth has served as the Planning Manager/Chief Planner for the Comprehensive Planning Studio. Over her 15-year tenure at the city, Dang has been instrumental in guiding large-scale development projects, including annexations and Developments of Regional Impact. She recently managed the implementation of a series of land development code amendments that will expand opportunities to help further affordable housing options in the city.
Additionally, Jason Burton, has been promoted to Planning Assistant Division Manager. Burton started with the City of Orlando in 2004 as a transportation planner and Impact Fee Coordinator. Most recently, Burton served as Planning Manager/Chief Planner for the Community Planning Studio and has help lead, conceptualize and implement several new planning efforts and revitalization programs in the city’s Main Street Districts and throughout Orlando.
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