Lee County hires new planning director

LEESBURG — Rozanne Braswell, senior planner for the city of Albany has been hired as the new planning director for Lee County.

Braswell, who has lived in Lee County since 1986, will serve as Director for Lee County’s Planning, Zoning and Engineering department.

Originally from Montgomery, Ala., Braswell holds a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University. According to her resume, Braswell’s expertise is in the areas of comprehensive planning, regional planning, historic preservation, zoning and flood plain management.

Braswell has worked as a senior planner for the city of Albany since 2008. She also serves as vice chairwoman of the Georgia Alliance Preservation Commission and provides technical support to the Albany-Dougherty Historical Preservation Commission.

Prior to her position with the city of Albany, Braswell worked as a regional planner with the Southwest Georgia Regional Commission. During that time, Braswell served as the regional planner and consultant as Lee County developed its comprehensive plan back in 2006.

Lee County Co-Manager Christi Dockery said that Braswell was selected for the county planning director position, in part, because she was instrumental in the development of Lee County’s long-term comprehensive plan.

“One of her biggest challenges in Lee County will be to oversee our FEMA-funded flood zone grant,” Dockery said Monday.

In 2016, FEMA approved a grant that will allow Lee County to purchase and demolish 15 homes in flood-zone areas. The county has also submitted a new grant for 2017, which could allow for the purchase of five more homes that have repeatedly suffered from flooding.

Dockery said there will be many opportunities for Braswell to help with research, code regulations and new policies as Lee County continues to grow into the future.

According to Dockery, Braswell also was selected for the position because of her expertise and interest in property preservation.

“She has worked closely with Leesburg City Manager Bob Alexander on planning for the train depot preservation and on some other Leesburg and Lee County projects,” Dockery said.

Braswell recently oversaw Albany’s historic resources survey and was instrumental in helping Albany obtain a Fox Theater Institute Emergency grant that will be used to help repair the facade of the old downtown Albany Theatre.

The Fox Theatre Institute Preservation grant program’s goal is to award funding for historic theaters in the state of Georgia. Emergency preservation grants of up to $50,000, can be awarded to projects designed to provide significant economic and cultural impact in the communities they serve. Urgent or emergency support is available to historic theaters and related structures in emergency situations, when immediate and unanticipated work is needed to save a historic structure.

In her application to Lee County, Braswell sated, “This is a critical position, and I understand the importance of having an ethical, knowledgeable and problem-solving individual in this capacity.”

Braswell went on to say that she is “knowledgeable, enthusiastic and committed” to the new opportunity. Braswell begins her new position on Monday.

“She will replace Lee County Chief Building Inspector Joey Davenport, who has been serving in the interim director after Matt Inman left his position with Lee County last year for a position with EMC Engineering,” Dockery said.

Dougherty County Commission Chairman Chris Cohilas and Albany-Dougherty Planning Services Director Paul Forgey praised Braswell for her service to the city and county at Monday’s Dougherty County Commission meeting.

Braswell chose not to comment, deferring to Lee County officials.