Karen Mitchell, President
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas, 1987
- Major: Urban and Regional Planning Minor: Journalism
- Honors: Gamma Theta Upsilon, International Geographical Honors Society
EXPERIENCE
Land Use Consultant
Represent the real estate and development community in design and land
planning of properties; assist them with the development process which
includes concept planning, site planning, preliminary and final platting,
and building permitting.
City Planning Consultant
Represent municipalities with their current planning needs by providing
development review, meeting with citizens and developers, preparing staff
reports, advisor to the Planning and Zoning Commission, City Council, and
Zoning Board of Adjustments as well as City Staff.
Current municipal clients:
- City of Azle
- City of Oak Point
- Town of Argyle
- City of Springtown
- Town of Trophy Club
- Town of Northlake
- Town of Ponder
PAST EXPERIENCE
Director of Planning and Development, City of Haltom City, Texas
- Directed and administered all planning functions of the City
- Supervised Planning staff
- Interpreted zoning, subdivision, and sign ordinances
- Researched, drafted, and presented ordinance revisions to management,
Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council
- Directed the review and update of the zoning, subdivision and sign
ordinances, the Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Impact Fee ordinance
- Evaluated the impact of proposed developments
- Prepared and presented case recommendations to the Planning and Zoning
Commission, City Council, Zoning Board of Adjustments, and Sign Board of
Appeals
- Responded to inquiries from developers and the general public regarding
all land use issues
- Worked closely with various departments to coordinate development
activities
- Created and Chaired the Development Review Committee
- Prepared and managed department budget
Director of Community Development/ Building Official, City of Crowley,
Texas
- Directed the administration of the Community Development Department which
consisted of planning, economic development and building inspections
- Administered the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance
- Assisted citizens and developers with the land use process and focused on
current and future development trends including economic development issues
- Acted as staff liaison for and made presentations to the Planning and
Zoning Commission, City Council, Zoning Board of Adjustment, Economic
Development Committee, and Chamber of Commerce
- Prepared and managed department budget
Urban Planner, City of Denton, Texas
- Coordinated zoning and subdivision process on land development cases
- Researched and prepared ordinances
- Administered sign regulations
- Served as staff liaison for and made presentations to the Planning and
Zoning Commission, City Council, Zoning Board of Adjustment, Storm Water
Management Utility Task Force and Development Review Committee
- Coordinated with neighborhood organizations
Urban Planner, Dewberry & Davis, Virginia
- Liaison between developers and Fairfax County staff to achieve development
approvals
- Assisted engineers and landscape architects with feasibility analysis
- Assisted with design phase including lot layouts, environmental issues,
traffic impact, etc.
- Worked closely with Land Use Attorneys in development process and
neighborhood meetings
City Planner, City of Killeen, Texas
- Directed the administration for zoning and subdivision laws
- Researched and prepared land use related ordinances
- Administered the Flood Plain Management Ordinance
- Served as staff representative to the Planning and Zoning Commission, City
Council, Joint Airport Zoning Board, Land Use Committee, and Zoning Board of
Adjustment
- Assisted with the creation of the Comprehensive Plan
Professional Affiliations
American Planning Association (APA), 1986-present
Director, Midwest Section of the Texas Chapter of the APA, 2000
Treasurer, Midwest Section of the Texas Chapter of the APA, 1997
City Planners Association of Texas-1987-present
Leadership Northeast Tarrant County
1999 graduate
Member, Denton Area Chamber of Commerce, 2003-present
Conduct training workshops for Planning and Zoning Commissioners throughout
Texas
Speaker, Texas APA Annual Conference
Recipient of Director’s Award Midwest Section of the Texas APA, 2003