Derek Johnson Leaving Post as Capitola Community Development Director

Just 16 months after taking his position as director of community development in Capitola, Derek Johnson has announced that he will be leaving the city for the same post 160 miles south, in San Luis Obispo.

"We just decided we need to get close to family," Johnson told Capitola-Soquel Patch. "We tried to get them to move up here, but my mother-in-law has arthritis and it's just too cold for her."

In his short time in the city, Johnson spearheaded or worked closely with many projects including the impending arrival of , finding funding for the General Plan and the acquisition of a $250k grant for local hazard mitigation planning.

Yet he also faced some of the most serious struggles in recent Capitola history, namely, of course, the that .

"That combined with all the mobile home stuff has put the city through some really challenging times," Johnson said. "But there's a really great team of people here. They are really smart and dedicated."

Although he said he had "fully intended to raise my family here," Johnson is looking forward to the relocation. 

"I'm pretty stoked. SLO is a great town," he said. "They've embraced progressive thinking about planning. They have a strong commitment to resource protection. It's a young, vibrant community, but they've got a lot of challenges, so I'm pretty excited." 

For Capitola, the loss of Johnson at City Hall leaves a deep hole. 

"It will be difficult to replace Derek," Mayor Dennis Norton said in an email to Patch. "He was the perfect fit for this city. He lives in the city, [he's] a very good negotiator, ... a good public presence, fair, good attitude [and] very knowledgeable of the public process."

In Johnson's absence, City Manager Jamie Goldstein is recommending that Susan Westman be brought in on an interim basis. She previously served as the interim community development director in Scotts Valley and had the official title in Capitola in the 1980s as well, Johnson said. 

"She lives in Capitola and knows Capitola really well," he said. "So the recommendation is to bring her on board and have her shepherd the project through until the spring."

Johnson's last day on the job in Capitola will be Nov. 4, with his position in San Luis Obispo starting up just three days later.

Have you gotten to know Derek Johnson over the last year and a half? He's been a huge part of the city staff. Tell us your thoughts in the comments.