Benjamin Andrea, AICP, CZO, CFM
Director of Planning and Inspections at Town Of Leland- Claim this Profile
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Topline Score
Bio
Credentials
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ICS-200
FEMAOct, 2019- Oct, 2024 -
ICS-800
FEMAOct, 2019- Oct, 2024 -
ICS-700
FEMAAug, 2019- Oct, 2024 -
ICS-100
FEMADec, 2018- Oct, 2024 -
Certified Floodplain Manager
North Carolina Association of Floodplain Managers (NCAFPM)Sep, 2016- Oct, 2024 -
AICP
American Planning AssociationMay, 2014- Oct, 2024 -
Certified North Carolina Zoning Official
UNC School of GovernmentDec, 2011- Oct, 2024 -
NC Certified Low Impact Development Professional
North Carolina State UniversityNov, 2011- Oct, 2024 -
ICS-300
FEMA -
ICS-400
FEMA
Experience
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Town Of Leland
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United States
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Government Administration
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1 - 100 Employee
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Director of Planning and Inspections
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Nov 2018 - Present
I support a staff in all functions of current and long range planning, zoning compliance, code enforcement, permitting, and building and fire inspections. Our mission is to preserve and enhance the health, safety, welfare, and quality of life for Leland’s residents and visitors to ensure a flourishing community to live, work, and play. Our vision is a progressively-enhanced built environment created by balancing the social, economic, cultural, and environmental needs of the community while exercising integrity, professionalism, and service excellence. Our guiding principles and values include collaboration, efficiency, inclusivity, integrity, professionalism, consistency, predictability, respect, innovation, technical competency, and engagement.
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New Hanover County
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United States
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Government Administration
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700 & Above Employee
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Current Planning and Zoning Supervisor
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Sep 2014 - Nov 2018
I led a team of six Current Planning and Zoning staff members including three Zoning Compliance Officials, the Senior Planner, the Current Planner, and an Administrative Support Specialist. I served as the chief zoning official and was tasked with interpreting and applying the County's land use policies and regulations. I served the County's Planning Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment, Technical Review Committee, and the Board of Commissioners by preparing and presenting cases in addition to overseeing other Staff's preparation and presentations to these Boards, and served as the Executive Secretary to the Board of Adjustment.I also oversaw New Hanover County's NC CAMA Local Permitting Program, and served as a Local Permitting Officer (LPO) which included reviewing development proposals for consistency with North Carolina's coastal development regulations.Additionally, I coordinated with other departments and Planning Staff on special projects and long range planning endeavors.In all of my responsibilities for New Hanover County, I emphasized positive customer service and conflict resolution by being solution-oriented, fair, and upholding my ethical responsibilities as a Certified Planner as well as the fundamental principles of the organization.
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Current Planner
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Jul 2013 - Sep 2014
In this position, I was involved primarily in rezoning and special use permit cases as well as ordinance and policy interpretation and maintenance, and presented these cases to the county's Planning Board and Board of Commissioners. I also reviewed major subdivisions for ordinance compliance and present those to the County's Technical Review Committee. Additionally, I was involved in the county's comprehensive long range planning effort.
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Senior Planner
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Oct 2012 - Jun 2013
I managed Pender County's Planning Division, supervising three professional Planners and overseeing and facilitating projects including review of residential and commercial development, planning for parks and recreation facilities, long range and regional planning efforts, small area planning, transportation planning, and CAMA Minor Permitting Program. I also managed grants including state parks and recreation grants, federal HUD community development grants, and economic development grants.
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Planner II
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Aug 2010 - Oct 2012
In this position, I continued the responsibilities of my former Planner I position as well as participated in more intensive planning projects. I was instrumental in procuring a HUD Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant for the lower Cape Fear region, and was elected to serve as the Vice Chair of the project's Steering Committee. In this position, I also initiated the project to create incentives for development projects in Pender County that utilize low impact development stormwater management techniques. From this position, I was promoted to Senior Planner.
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Planner I
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Nov 2008 - Aug 2010
I collected, analyzed, and interpreted data for planning and community development programs, including utilizing ArcGIS, conducting community outreach meetings, and research. I reviewed development applications and proposals for consistency with the county's development ordinances and plans, and worked with applicants to move projects forward. I prepared a variety of reports, plans, and strategies regarding community development issues for a county with rural and urban attributes. I prepared and presented staff reports for the Planning Board, Board of Commissioners, Zoning Board of Adjustment, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and a variety of community groups and stakeholders. My largest accomplishment in this position was creating the Pender County 2010 Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan, solely researching, authoring, and creating the document which would have cost the county approximately $80,000 to contract with a consultant for the work. From this position, I was promoted to Planner II.
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Education
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2021 - 2023
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Master of Public Administration - MPA -
2006 - 2007
University of North Carolina Wilmington
BA, Environmental Studies - Coastal Environmental Management -
1999 - 2003
University of North Carolina Wilmington
BS, Business Administration - Finance -
1995 - 1999
E. A. Laney High School, Wilmington, NC
Community
