Veteran city planner Barry C. Curtis will become the new Economic and Development Services Director for the City of Costa Mesa beginning in July.

“We are extremely happy to welcome Barry Curtis to our Costa Mesa team,” City Manager Tom Hatch said. “His broad-ranging experience in planning and development services will be a great asset to our City Council, city staff and the business and residential community. We look forward to working with him in the months and years to come.”

Curtis has been a professional planner for 29 years and most recently served as the Manager of Planning Services for the City of Irvine’s Community Development Department. During his tenure with Irvine he has managed and completed many of that city’s large projects and was the Redevelopment/Community Development Project Leader for the Great Park and he also held the titles of Principal and Senior Planner.

“As a lifelong resident of Orange County, I’m excited by the challenge and opportunity to bring nearly 30 years of local planning experience to my new role with the City of Costa Mesa,” Curtis said. “I look forward to working with the City’s highly-regarded, professional staff, decision-makers and residents to implement the goals of a vibrant, world-class city.”

Prior to working in Irvine, Curtis served as an Associate Planner for the City of Seal Beach where he provided support to boards and commissions, performed daily oversight of the city’s plan review process, assisted building officials and administered the city’s CDBG and Code Enforcement programs.

Curtis is well-acquainted with the regional and local issues facing Costa Mesa and has extensive experience in local governance, staff management and development, public participation, conflict management and redevelopment.

Curtis will officially begin his tenure with the City of Costa Mesa on July 5, 2017. He will report to City Manager Hatch.