The City of Lenoir has hired Hannah Williams as its new Planning Director. Williams has been working in the City Planning Department for more than five years, and has served as Interim Planning Director since January this year. City Manager Scott Hildebran said Director Williams is very familiar with the city’s planning efforts and current projects and has the skill, ability, and connections to be a successful department director.

Williams grew up in Greensboro and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sustainable Development and a Master of Arts degree in Geography and Planning from Appalachian State University. She received her Certified Zoning Official designation in 2019 from the North Carolina Association of Zoning Officials and certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) in 2022. AICP is the only nationwide, independent verification of planners’ qualifications.

Williams started her career with Lenoir as an intern during the summer of 2016 while completing her degrees at App State. As an intern, she completed a feasibility study on implementing a stormwater maintenance fee. She finished her Master’s degree that fall, and started working in the Caldwell County I.T. Department as the GIS Director and Address Coordinator.

The City Planning Department is responsible for managing new development, mapping, minimum housing standards, planning, and zoning. Staff reviews residential, commercial, and industrial development, and works to ensure new development is consistent with Lenoir’s Comprehensive Plan. Planning staff works with businesses and industries who want to build in Lenoir, and staff ensures that new development meets the City’s codes and design standards once complete.

As Planning Director, Williams said she is looking forward to updating the City’s Comprehensive Development Plan with a focus on the City’s historic neighborhoods. A comprehensive plan creates policies and goals for the next 10 to 20 years for land use (zoning), business and residential development, and public amenities and infrastructure. Her official first day as Planning Director was Monday (March 20).

[Story and Photo courtesy of Joshua Harris, City of Lenoir Director of Communication & Public Information]