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PECS committee recommends confirmation of Juliana Njoku as DeKalb planning and sustainability director
Summary
The PECS committee interviewed Juliana Njoku and recommended her confirmation as DeKalb County—s Planning and Sustainability Director. Commissioners asked about conflict management, process improvements and department capacity; the committee voted to recommend approval with one abstention recorded in the discussion.
The PECS committee on Tuesday recommended confirmation of Juliana Njoku as DeKalb County—s planning and sustainability director after a public interview and questions from commissioners.
Juliana Njoku described more than 25 years of planning, zoning and community-development experience including roles in municipal planning, affordable-housing programs and performance management. She told the committee she favors a people–process–technology approach to modernizing planning operations and described conflict resolution as a key part of the planning director role: "When you have ... conflict, it really has more to do with the communication of the idea," she said, adding that predevelopment meetings and clear alignment with county plans can reduce contested outcomes.
Commissioners asked about priorities and capacity needs. Commissioner Ted Terry and others emphasized permitting, business licensing and operational capacity as areas where investment yields faster returns for economic development. Njoku said she would focus early on people, process and technology, and on communicating expectations and timelines to the community and applicants.
A motion to recommend her confirmation passed at the committee meeting; the record shows the committee voted in favor and that one member abstained from that recommendation vote. Commissioners requested additional follow-up responses to some outstanding questions and documents before the Board of Commissioners considered the formal appointment.
Why it matters: The Planning and Sustainability Department oversees zoning, permitting and development review; leadership and process changes there can affect housing, land use and economic development across the county.
Ending: The committee recommended approval and asked Njoku to provide additional requested materials ahead of the board vote.
