CITY OF MIDLAND DIRECTOR OF

PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT NAMED

The City of Midland is pleased to announce that Keith Baker has been named director of planning and community development, effective Monday, January 29.

Baker brings to the City 12 years of experience in planning and community development. For the past five years, he has served as manager of the Village of Union City, Mich. Among his responsibilities in that position, Baker administered daily operations for the village including police, fire, water, sanitary sewer, streets, and electric utility services. He managed 14 full-time employees and worked with a $3.8 million annual operating budget in the community of 1,800 residents.

Prior to his tenure in Union City, Baker worked from 1999 to 2001 as senior planner for McKenna Associates in Kalamazoo, Mich. In that capacity, he served as project manager for various municipal clients in the preparation of master plans, zoning ordinances and code enforcement. Prior to joining McKenna, Baker was the city planner/zoning administrator for the City of Coldwater from 1994 to 1999.

Baker holds a bachelor’s degree in urban and regional planning from Michigan State University.

“Keith’s knowledge of and expertise in master plan development, zoning, and code enforcement will greatly benefit the community,” said City Manager Jon Lynch. “We look forward to his joining our management team.”

Baker was selected from among 15 applicants for the position, and was interviewed by City staff and representatives of the Zoning Board of Appeals, Midland Area Homebuilders Association, Midland Area Chamber of Commerce, and Midland Tomorrow.

Among his many responsibilities as Midland’s director of planning and community development, Baker will manage the operations and budgets of the Department of Planning and Community Development, which includes these divisions: Building, Community Development Block Grant, Downtown Development Authority, Planning, and Senior Housing. He will create and manage land use policy and regulations; advise the public, developers and officials regarding plans, permits and annexation procedures; and assist with the development of annual and long-range policy goals and capital improvement plans for the City.

For more information, contact the City Manager’s Office at 989-837-3301.

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