This week marks the retirement of Piedmont’s long time Director of Planning and Building, Kevin Jackson. On May 4 Piedmont Mayor Betsy Smegal Andersen issued a statement in honor of Jackson’s work, and he was praised by present and past city council members. On the eve of his May 8 departure from City Hall, Jackson sat down to speak to the Exedra.
David Thigpen: What does a Director of Planning and Building do?
Kevin Jackson: We process planning and building permits, everything from an addition to your house on up, and we develop policies related to housing, environment, zoning, climate action plan, transportation plan, safe streets and more.
DT: You took over as Director in 2016. How has the job changed since then?
KJ: More and more the state of California has taken away local control. For instance, the state said for new housing the city could only apply “objective standards.” No more discretion in standards, no more public review. Historically you needed a planning permit, notice to neighbors, planning would consider discretionary criteria.
DT: Looking back, what were some of your biggest challenges?
KJ: Moraga Canyon, certainly. The challenge was the changing state housing law. Piedmont’s regional affordable housing allocation went up from 60 units to 587. That and identifying the housing site, why it is suitable, that was all a really big hurdle. We were able to identify city-owned land in the Canyon that was underutilized. This was not an easy process. But we recognize that change is often difficult.
DT: What will that development look like?
KJ: By 2031 All Bay Area cities are required to have a certain number of new residences. For Piedmont it is 587. 28 percent of them will be very low-income units; 16 percent low income, 16 percent moderate income; and 40 percent above moderate income.
DT: Other things you are proud of during your tenure?
KJ: Yes, our Climate Action Plan. We created the city’s first such plan and I was in charge of it. We recently updated it so now we’re implementing Climate Action 2.0.
DT: Your path to this important job had many twists and turns. Tell us about that.
KJ: I was near the end of my studies in architecture when I took an elective drama class that lit a fire in me. I had already worked several summers in architecture firms for long hours and low pay so I moved from Texas to New York City to pursue acting. I got some stage work — nowhere near Broadway I should say — and I got paid for a few TV commercials. Remember Doan’s Pills? That’s me! Being indigent in NYC was not for me so I moved to San Francisco, did a play, and decided maybe there was a way for me to use my architectural and planning skills. I joined Piedmont as a planning technician and in 2016 I was promoted to Director. It has been a great experience being of service to this city.