From a July 21 City of Piedmont press release
The City Council unanimously voted to appoint Leslie Mendez to serve as Piedmont’s next Planning & Building Director at their regular meeting on Monday, July 20.
With over two decades of municipal planning experience, Mendez brings deep expertise in land use and housing policy, complex development review, and navigating California’s evolving planning requirements. Mendez most recently served as Planning Manager for the City of Albany and will begin her service with Piedmont on July 30, 2026.
“We are so fortunate to have Leslie joining Piedmont,” said Mayor Betsy Smegal Andersen. “Her depth of experience and command of complex planning policy are extraordinary, but just as important is her clear commitment to customer service. Leslie is thoughtful, practical, and collaborative. I know our community will enjoy working with her.”
In Albany, Mendez led the City’s Planning & Building Division, overseeing development and building permit approvals, implementing Housing Element programs, developing new community and economic development initiatives, and serving as staff liaison to the Planning & Zoning Commission and Housing Advisory Commission.
Before joining the City of Albany, Mendez served as Planning Manager for the City of San Rafael and spent 13 years as a planner with the City of Berkeley, where she led planning processes for major housing, commercial, and research and development projects and helped prepare the City’s Housing Element. She began her municipal planning career with the City of Pleasanton and served for eight years on the El Cerrito Planning Commission.
As Planning & Building Director, she will oversee the City’s planning, building, land use, zoning, code enforcement, and sustainability functions.
Mendez was drawn to Piedmont by the opportunity to work with an engaged community and to contribute to both the City’s major long-range planning initiatives and the everyday services residents rely on.
“I’m thrilled to join the City of Piedmont and energized by the range of work ahead,” said Mendez. “From moving the Moraga Canyon Specific Plan forward and preparing for the next Housing Element cycle to helping residents navigate the planning and permit process, I look forward to working with staff and the community to find creative solutions and make planning and building services clear, responsive, and easy to navigate.”
Mendez holds a master’s degree in city and regional planning from the University of California, Berkeley and a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from Brown University.
The City engaged executive recruiting firm Bob Murray and Associates to conduct a search to fill the position after longtime Planning & Building Director Kevin Jackson announced his intention to retire in May 2026. Since May, Jeff Bond, retired Community Development Director from the City of Albany, has served as Interim Planning & Building Director.