What's New in DPD

June 2024

Message from the Director

The Division of Planning and Development is excited to announce the launch of the five-year update of the Memphis 3.0 Comprehensive Plan. Five years ago, Memphis adopted its first comprehensive plan since 1981, intended to guide land use, transportation, and built environment decisions. This effort marks the first opportunity for plan review and update to ensure the plan remains up-to-date and relevant.

Since its adoption, the plan has been implemented in multiple ways:

Formed the basis of three comprehensive rezonings on Lamar Avenue (2020), Summer Avenue (2021), and a comprehensive citywide rezoning of anchors (2021);
Used to ensure consistency of land use applications with planning goals and recommendations;
Guided private investment in targeted anchors, including nearly $1 billion in 2023 (62% of total citywide investment);
Guided public investment of $75 million in 45 anchor locations through Accelerate Memphis: Activating Memphis 3.0.

The five-year plan update will focus on two major elements to guide community improvements in the years ahead. First, many of the implementation priorities of the plan were funded through Accelerate Memphis. Memphis 3.0 needs to be updated to include new priorities for implementation. Second, the five-year plan update will form the basis for a citywide rezoning for all areas, not just anchors. Public engagement workshops will kick off in August focusing on neighborhood-specific priorities and mapping out desired future land use and zoning with the first workshops taking place in the Jackson, South, and Lamar districts. Each workshop will also be made available online to ensure that everyone has a chance to contribute to the conversation.

Your voice has been instrumental in shaping Memphis's trajectory, and it remains crucial as they chart the course for the next five years and beyond. Join us in this important conversation and help shape the future of Memphis. For more information on the Memphis 3.0 Comprehensive Plan, the update, and upcoming workshop schedules, please visit Memphis3point0.com or contact info@memphis3point0.com.

Memphis Regional Pedestrian & Bicycle Greenprint Plan

The Building Beat: New Episode!

A new episode of our division podcast, The Building Beat, is available now! This month’s episode is about neighborhood reports and requests with Special Assistant to the [City] Mayor Steve Shular. Steve works in conjunction with the 311 Department to help neighborhood associations rectify a variety of issues that they observe and to work with local and state agencies to keep Memphis safe and beautiful.

Episodes are released the first Monday of each month and are available wherever you listen to podcasts, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and our division YouTube channel.

Featured Openings

We are looking for candidates who would like to join our team and support the Division mission. Please share the below postings with anyone who might be interested.

Planner I - Comprehensive Planning

Mechanical Inspector - Construction Enforcement

Senior Plumbing Inspector - Construction Enforcement

Develop 901 Citizen Portal Training Academy

Need some assistance in more effectively using the Develop 901 Citizen Portal? Want to train your team on the most relevant sections of the Portal? The Citizen Portal Training Academy features recorded training videos and printable quick reference guides for your convenience, allowing for portal training on your time and within your schedule.

The Citizen Portal Training Academy is accessible from the Develop 901 website.

Lead Hazard Reduction Program

If you or someone you know lives in a home built before 1978 and also has a child or children (6 years or younger) who spend time in the home, then contact the SCDH Lead Hazard Control Program about a free lead inspection at (901) 222-LEAD. Eligible residents may receive free lead paint removal services. For more information about the program, visit this site.

Applications are now accepted online via the website Neighborly. Use this site to register and create a new account before beginning an application.

Program Manager Anita Tate was interviewed for a recent FOX13 investigation concerning the hazardous effects of lead found in older homes and how this phenomenon affects children’s growth and development. The interview and article can be found here.

Staff Announcements

Division Attorney Robert Rolwing was elected 2024-2025 President of the Tennessee County Attorneys Association (TCAA) at its annual conference held in early May at Paris Landing Lodge. The TCAA was founded 40 years ago to promote legal education and training of attorneys for the state’s 95 counties and to serve as a clearinghouse for information and the exchange of ideas for delivering quality service to governmental clients.

Senior Electrical Inspector William Whitley and Signs & Zoning Inspector Eric Bush were recently recognized by Shelby County Government for their 20 years of commitment and service to the County.

Plumbing Section Chief John Bowman and Signs & Zoning Inspector Tanya Wims-Pettis were recently recognized by Shelby County Government for their 10 years of commitment and service to the County.

The following staff members were recently recognized by Shelby County Government for their 5 years of commitment and service to the County: Mechanical Inspector Robin Franks, Plan Examiner Cecilia Sagers Ponder, Interim Building Official Rita Anderson, Building Inspector Gordon Higgins, Senior Mechanical Inspector Jorge Apantenco Brewer, Signs & Zoning Inspector Robert Britton, Deputy Director Nidia Logan-Robinson, and Zoning Administrator Brett Ragsdale.