City Of Buda Hires Director Of Planning

The City of Buda is excited to announce a new addition to the team.

Mrs. Melissa McCollum has been named as the City’s Director of Planning. Prior to joining the City of Buda, Mrs. McCollum served as the Planning Manager for the City of Cedar Park.

Mrs. McCollum comes to Buda with an extensive background in planning. Throughout her career she has worked for the Cities of Bastrop, Cedar Park, Georgetown and San Marcos.

Mrs. McCollum also worked in the private sector with the Engineering/Planning Firm BWR.    

“Buda is great city with both small town charm and the ability and room to grow,” said McCollum. “Buda is in a unique position to continue to be stewards of the environment while adding more tax base to support current and future residents of Buda.

Below are some of Mrs. McCollum’s goals and priorities for 2020.  

• Work with Planning & Zoning (P&Z) Commission to update the Comprehensive Plan which is currently reviewing the Transportation Master Plan and Impact Fees related to transportation.
• Work with P&Z Commission to update the Unified Development Code (UDC) and amend the ordinances to address and update trees mitigation, food truck vendors, nuisance to orders, and mobile retail.
• Adopt and implement the new Development Review Manual and meet state and local guidelines for development review process and approval.
• Work with Historic Preservation Commission and Texas Historical Commission to be an approved Certified Local Government (CLG).    

“The City of Buda is fortunate to gain Melissa as our Director of Planning,” said Assistant City Manager Lauren Middleton-Pratt. “Her knowledge of the planning industry will further Buda’s position as a leader and we are so excited to witness the great work she will do…she has already hit the ground running!”

Mrs. McCollum has a Bachelor of Science Degree in City and Regional Planning from California Polytechnic State University (San Luis Obispo, CA) and a Master of Science Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas State University.   

Mrs. McCollum started working for the City in late December.