CITY MANAGER ED THATCHER’S UPDATE
City of Mount Pleasant Development & Building Department:
Serving Citizens, Contractors and Developers with Improved Processes, Communication
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A lot of hard work has occurred during the past 24 months to ensure a bright future for Mount Pleasant with positive, sustainable, efficient growth.
Two important accomplishments were the adoption of the updated 2050 Comprehensive Plan and the Parks & Open Space Master Plan. These initiatives were spearheaded by citizens with the support of City staff and City council. The outcome of each confirms a vision for the future that includes maintaining Mount Pleasant’s history and small-town charm.
The plans also provide strategies, goals and objectives that will guide City council decision making and budget priorities according to the will of the citizens.
Other measures have been put in place to establish a Planning and Building Department that offers citizens, contractors and developers improved communication and streamlined processes.
A Development Review Committee was created and meets every Wednesday at 9 a.m. to review site plans, plats and visit with developers. The committee includes members of the Fire, Building, Streets, Utilities, Planning and Parks Departments. This “all in one” approach has greatly expedited the development review process and opened up a line of communication with developers that helps the City identify any hiccups and the solutions more quickly.
With a clear outline of the necessary forms and inspections required, contractor and developers also have a predictable schedule and expectation of the inspection process. Staff now have the ability to meet a contractor onsite for inspections with just a 30-minute notice. This same timely approach has been embraced for the inspection and permitting of food units at special events, including the many hosted throughout the year by the Chamber.
At a broader level, the City is moving forward with infrastructure projects to support quality of life and the growth that is occurring throughout Texas. This includes the construction of a water line main to the 512 acres in the northern sector of the city that were recently annexed; approval to provide water sewer to this area; the completion of an Engineering Design Manual for the city; and the updating and correcting of the city’s Zoning Map.
I want to thank two staff leaders who have played a significant role in driving these improvements.
Robert LaCroix has served as our Planning Director since July 2020 and brought nearly four decades in planning and development experience. He is an American Institute of Certified Planner (AICP), graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and has worked in Fate, Lorena, Heath, Fairview, Midland, Odessa and Rockwall, Texas.
In August 2020, we created the position of Building Official and were extremely fortunate to recruit John Ankrum to fill the new role. John brought 24 years of professional experience, most recently with the City of Paris, where he was the Building Official and Assistant Director of Community Development. John holds 16 ICC Certifications as well as certifications through the Sequoia Institute. He is a state licensed plumbing inspector, code officer and Trakit Administrator.
Together, Robert and John along with their staff teams are making a positive difference in Mount Pleasant, and I am proud and grateful to serve this community with them.
Ed Thatcher,
City Manager
