The city of SeaTac may be poised to turn the page on a sometimes-rancorous relationship between city planners and developers.
Interim planning director Cindy Baker has been selected as the first director of a newly formed Department of Community and Economic Development.
The new department consolidates five departments or divisions into one. They are economic development, planning, engineering development review, building services and permit center.
The position was created to streamline the SeaTac’s permitting process and help speed up new building and economic development projects.
Former planning director Steve Butler often clashed with builders seeking development agreements. Butler left SeaTac in August for a position in Mill Creek after the consolidation was approved.
Baker was hired as interim planning director in October. Deputy Mayor Gene Fisher and the council’s two newest members, Rick Forschler and Pam Fernald, opposed her hiring.
The three argued that the city could save around $60,000 in four months by not filling the interim position.
However, the council’s four other members argued the temporary position was needed.
Baker said when she accepted the interim position, she wasn’t intending to apply for the permanent job heading the consolidated department.
“But I liked the people and I got excited,” Baker declared. “This was not anticipated.”
She said she has been working with an ad hoc committee of business people, council members and other residents to look at the current zoning code.
Baker said she and the committee are trying to put some flexibility into the code.
“There is a way to write it so that SeaTac still looks really good but shows we wants builders,” Baker said.
A veteran of planning positions in King and Kitsap counties as well as the cities of Auburn and Woodinville, Baker said she has always been a good listener with lots of solutions.
In Kitsap County, Baker said she worked closely with the Home Builders Association.
“They will tell you that unless I had to give them bad news, I looked for a way to make it work,” she added.
Baker said she is aware of the past acrimony.
“”I came here with a clean slate,” Baker declared. “I focus on the what, not the who. I am very much a ‘get it done’ person.”
She is also very aware that she may be losing her boss, interim city manager Todd Cutts.
“I’m very pleased to work with Todd,” Baker noted.
SeaTac voters could decide later this year on a proposition that would replace the city manager with an elected mayor.
If the measure passes, Baker said it would “not be a problem” to work with a strong mayor.
Cutts, who first came to SeaTac as an economic development director, praised Baker.
“Cindy brings a wide breadth of experience and technical expertise to this new position,” Cutts said in a press release. “She has demonstrated the ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with citizens and developers alike during her many years in the profession.
“Cindy will be working with an experienced and dedicated group of professionals and I am certain that together they will make the city a better, more effective place to undertake future development activities.