City Manager Blair King is pleased to announce the appointment of Rich Grunow as Coronado’s new Community Development Director. Grunow is set to start work May 7.
Grunow, 46, has worked in land use and environmental planning with California public agencies for the past 18 years, most recently as the Community Development Director in Capitola in Santa Cruz County. While there, Grunow administered the City’s current planning, building, code enforcement and affordable housing programs. During his five years with Capitola, Grunow guided a comprehensive update of the city’s general plan and zoning ordinance, as well as the preparation of its first Climate Action Plan.
“Rich will be a great fit for Coronado with his nearly two decades in Community Development,” King said. “His understanding of the region, familiarity with large and small organizations, and experience as a Community Development director for a California coastal city will be a great benefit for the City. He will oversee the vital work of continually improving the livability and vibrancy of our community.”
Grunow, who was selected after an extensive interview process that included input from representatives of various elements of the community, previously served as a land use chief for the County of San Diego Department of Planning and Development Services, where he directed the processing of hundreds of development projects ranging from routine applications to controversial commercial and industrial projects, and large scale master planned communities. Grunow also worked for seven years for the City of San Diego, where he served as a senior planner and a public works project manager. Prior to that, he worked for Solana Beach and Encinitas.
“I’m humbled by the opportunity to serve as Coronado’s Community Development Director and I’m excited to return to San Diego with my wife and 4-year-old daughter,” Grunow said. “I look forward to working with City leaders, staff and residents to facilitate high quality development which respects and enhances Coronado’s unique charm and historic character.”
The Community Development Department also oversees the Successor Agency to the City’s former redevelopment agency, the City’s publicly owned affordable housing inventory, and Coronado’s Historic Preservation Program.
Community Development operates on a $2.2 million annual budget and consists of nine full-time employees including one senior planner, two associate planners, one assistant planner, one building inspection supervisor, one building inspector, two department technicians and one administrative secretary.
Grunow is originally from Michigan. He has lived in California for the past 21 years, including 16 years in San Diego. He will receive an annual base salary of $165,000. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, writing, traveling, hiking and camping.
