Michael Gradis, AICP

Experience

• 

  Ecosistema Urbano

  May 2006 - Jul 2006

  Public Space Evaluator
• 

  County of Jackson, MI

  May 2007 - Aug 2008

  Strategic Planning Associate
• 

  University of Michigan

  Sept 2008 - May 2009

  Graduate Research Assistant
• 

  Southwest Solutions

  May 2009 - Aug 2009

  Research Associate
• 

  McKenna

  Nov 2010 - Mar 2014

  Associate Planner

  Zoning Department Administration: Managed the planning and zoning departments of Williamston, MI (pop. 3,800) Lincoln Park, MI (pop. 38,000) and the Village of Lake Orion, MI (pop. 3,000.) Administered zoning ordinance regulations, performed single family, multi-family, commercial and industrial site plan and special land use reviews, variance reviews and ordinance amendments reviews for applicants, planning commissions, zoning boards of appeal and legislative bodies. Assisted communities and applicants through the PUD and Conditional Rezoning Process (and subsequent amendments.) Master Long Range Planning: Acted as project manager and lead planner for comprehensive land use (Monitor Twp., MI) and recreation master plans (Rochester, MI) Developed, organized and publicized public participation workshops for master plans, neighborhood plans and downtown revitalization projects. Organized and lead public hearings and for zoning ordinance amendments, master plans and HUD documents. Downtown Development: Acted as Director of the Williamston, MI Downtown Development Authority. Responsible for plan implementation, marketing, outreach, streetscape, farmers’ market and façade improvement grant programs. Supervised seasonal employees. CDBG Consolidated and Annual Action Planning: Developed and received federal approval for Consolidated Plans and Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice Plans (Lincoln Park and Wyoming, MI) and Annual Action Plans (Lima, OH). Grant Administration: Tracked funds, ensured compliance, submitted reports and closed out state and federal economic development and job training grants (Michigan Economic Development Corporation-CDBG.) Received $750,000 in Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP3) funding for neighborhood demolition and new housing construction (City of River Rouge, MI and Wayne Metro Community Action Agency.) Show less

• 

  Town of Cary

  Apr 2014 - Jan 2015

  Senior Planner

  Development and Building Permit Review: Reviewed site and subdivision plans for zoning and subdivision compliance in Cary, NC (pop. 150,000.) Projects included large-scale residential (500 DUs) and non-residential development (100,000 s.f +) developments. Reviewed building permits to ensure compliance with applicable zoning regulations. Site Layout and Design: Processed site and subdivision plans for compliance with detailed landscaping, lighting, and architectural appearance manuals, and applied sub-area plan requirements specific to site design to specific site plans. Assisted applicants with site development coordination to adjacent developments, and answered developer and citizen questions related to development regulations and approved plans. Guided business owners and contractors in understanding ordinance requirements and approval process. Public Hearings: Prepared staff reports and presentations for Town Council Quasi-Judicial hearings for development plans. Special Use Requests: Reviewed special use requests; prepared associated staff reports and presentations for Town Council. Project Management: Acted as the Planning Department Lead during contentious Council-level approval processes for residential, multi-family and mixed-use projects. Coordinated plan review comments from multiple reviewers and oversee approval process. Show less

• 

  City of Centennial

  Apr 2015 - now

  • Planning Manager

    Apr 2024 - now

  • Principal Planner

    Aug 2021 - Apr 2024

  • Senior Planner

    Feb 2018 - Jul 2021

  • Planner II

    Apr 2015 - Feb 2018