Westport P&Z Deputy Director Mary Young Promoted Upon Director's Resignation

WESTPORT, CT — Steven Palmer, director of the Westport Planning and Zoning Department since April, is stepping down from the position and will be replaced by Deputy Director Mary Young next month, Westport First Selectman Jim Marpe announced Friday.

Palmer's last day will be Nov. 14, at which time Young will take over the director's duties. He resigned to accept a similar position in another unnamed town.

“I want to thank Steve for his contributions to the Town and the P&Z Department," said Marpe in a statement. "Although his time was short, he was a valuable asset to the Department.”

Added Palmer, “I am grateful for the opportunity Westport gave me and am happy that Mary will continue as Director of the department. Westport is in very capable hands.”

Young has been a member of Westport’s P&Z staff since 2002. Prior to that, she served on the P&Z staff of the Town of Greenwich, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree from SUNY, Purchase, and a Master’s Degree in Community Planning, Policy Analysis Concentration, from the University of Rhode Island. Additionally, Young has obtained her Professional Certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) and, most recently from the CT Association of Zoning Enforcement Officials (CAZEO).

"I appreciate the confidence the First Selectman has shown in my abilities to take on the challenges of my new role as Director," said Young in a statement. "I am excited for the opportunity. I offer my thanks to Steve Palmer for the positive foundation he has established and I look forward to continuing that momentum.”

Planning and zoning in Westport, forever a hotbed of activity in the town, also recently lost one of its commissioners, David Lessing, who was vice chair.

“I am very happy that we are able to promote Mary to Director of Planning & Zoning," Marpe added. "She brings a unique combination of professional planning and zoning expertise and local knowledge that make her a critical resource to the department staff, the P&Z Commission, the ZBA and most importantly, to the citizens of Westport. I am confident in her ability to continually improve office procedure, customer service, and the planning functions that are critical to the success of that Town department. I look forward to working with her to insure a seamless transition in this leadership position.”

In addition to her day-to-day responsibilities as Director, Mary will be leading the update of the Town’s Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD), and will be the Co-chair of the Saugatuck TOD Master Plan Steering Committee, currently in its final stages of formation.

Photo 1: Mary Young; Photo 2: Steven Palmer. Photo credit: Contributed