Development Services Department Director Sam Chavez has announced he will retire from the City of Richardson, effective Aug. 30, 2024. Chavez joined the City in April 2009. He was named interim director in July 2021 and was made permanent director in August 2022. His retirement will conclude a 35-year career that started in Palm Beach County, Fla.

As director of Richardson’s Development Services Department, Chavez is charged with oversight of the comprehensive planning process, which guides long-term development of the City; administration of the private property entitlements process (i.e., zoning); technical review and coordination of the land development process (i.e., platting, site planning and construction); a spectrum of special studies (e.g., redevelopment, transit-oriented development, redistricting); and demographic analysis. The Department also provides staff support to the City Council, City Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Adjustment.

“Sam’s 15 years in Richardson has included both new developments such as CityLine, as well as the redevelopment of older areas of the city such as in the Richardson Innovation Quarter,” said Richardson City Manager Don Magner. “Sam’s leadership of Development Services over the past three years has seen us continue to receive praise for both the ease at which our processes operate, as well as the eagerness of our staff to assist people as they are navigating the development process.” 

During his time in Richardson, Chavez has overseen or assisted with the development and completion of many impactful projects, including:

  • Alamo Drafthouse
  • CityLine Development
  • Envision Richardson Comprehensive Plan Update
  • Main Street Revitalization
  • Richardson Innovation Quarter, The IQ® 
  • Richardson Restaurant Park

“My 15 years in Richardson has been the most enjoyable of my career,” Chavez said. “I am proud of the work we have accomplished and the projects that are underway now that will be completed after I have retired. I have been truly blessed to have worked with an outstanding team during my time here, and I know the City will be in good hands going forward.”

Chavez worked in Palm Beach County, Fla. from 1987-89 and moved to North Texas in 1990. He served in several positions including stints in McKinney, Carrollton and The Colony before joining the City of Richardson in 2009. He holds a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of North Texas, with a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree from Texas Tech University.

DC Municipal Consulting has been contracted to assist the City in searching for candidates to fill this position (https://lnkd.in/gg7ZfJsy).