Explanation
Title
To recognize Steve McClary's achievements as the Department of Development's Planning Division Administrator and to wish him a happy retirement.
Body
WHEREAS Stephen R. McClary, Administrator of the City's Planning Division, will retire after thirty years; and
WHEREAS, Steve joined the City of Columbus in 1972 fresh out of Graduate School with a Master's Degree in Public Administration from the University of Pittsburgh and a BA in Community Planning from the University of Cincinnati; and
WHEREAS Steve began his career with the City of Columbus as a Planner with the Columbus Division of Urban Renewal; and
WHEREAS in 1986 Steve was appointed Administrator of the Development Department's Planning Division, a position he held for nearly twenty years, always with exceptional skill and the gentle dignity that is his trademark; and
WHEREAS among his achievements are many innovative 'firsts' in Columbus, including the creation of the Urban Commercial Overlays, Graphics Control Districts, Traffic Standards Policies, Parkland Dedication, and the Downtown Zoning District Codes; and
WHEREAS Steve and his staff crafted the Columbus Comprehensive Plan, adopted by City Council in 1993; the first of its kind for our City; and
WHEREAS reaching out to our regional neighbors in a spirit of cooperation and planned growth, Steve championed the development the Rocky Fork-Blacklick and South Central Accords; and
WHEREAS Steve and his talented staff have earned the respect of citizens across the City for their commitment to Neighborhood Area Plans and dedication to community involvement; and
WHEREAS Steve has received countless accolades from those in his profession and was awarded the Planning Leadership Award by the Ohio Planning Conference; and
WHEREAS perhaps even more important than his leadership skills and technical prowess is Steve's warm, thoughtful and accepting nature and his quiet strength under pressure, qualities that have made him many lifelong friends at the City of Columbus; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council hereby recognizes Stephen R. McClary's thirty years of excellent planning and administration and wishes him a happy, healthy retirement.