Multiple changes at Planning and Zoning

Effective Monday, Jerry Rusthoven became the acting assistant director for the Planning and Zoning Department and Jorge Rousselin was named acting development services manager for the current planning division. Rusthoven will oversee the entire department, with the exception of three individuals, according to a memo from Director Greg Guernsey. Guernsey’s memo also states that Rousselin will serve as the project lead for CodeNEXT. That project, of course, has lost Matt Lewis and will soon be losing Jim Robertson. After Lewis’ abrupt departure, Robertson took the lead on CodeNEXT, but he has announced that he has taken a job in Colorado. Tonya Swartzendruber will become acting development services division manager upon Robertson’s departure in mid-August, the memo said. In addition, Tori Haase, the department’s zoning case manager for Central Austin, will be joining Michele Haussmann’s firm, Land Use Solutions, next week. Kelan Robinson, who is projects coordinator for the firm, confirmed the timing. Robinson worked for City Council Member Ann Kitchen before joining Haussmann’s firm. Leaving Haussmann’s firm was Leah Bojo, who told the Austin Monitor that she has joined Steve Drenner’s firm, the Drenner Group PC. Bojo worked for former Council Member Chris Riley before joining Haussmann.