Painesville Hires New Director of Planning

At the April 3 Painesville City Council meeting, City Manager Doug Lewis announced his appointment of Sarah Sitterle to the open position of Director of Planning in the City of Painesville.

 

Sitterle comes to the city with a background in city planning, historic preservation, design review, code enforcement, Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping and zoning administration. She is a member of the American Planning Association (APA), is AICP certified and has been active in APA state chapters in Ohio, Virginia, Tennessee and Alabama. Most recently, Sitterle served as a Senior Planner at CT Consultants in Cleveland. She holds a bachelor’s degree in geography from Bowling Green State University and a master’s degree in planning from the University of Wyoming.

 

“We are very happy to have Sarah joining our management staff,” said Lewis. “She brings with her a wealth of experience and knowledge that will benefit us as we continue to pursue new development to benefit the residents of Painesville.”

 

“I am excited for the opportunity to join the team. The City has such great projects underway and ones that are upcoming,” said Sitterle. “It’s encouraging to see development projects happening in and around the downtown, which are the result of thoughtful, long-term planning.”

 

The Director of Planning role opened after former director Phoenikx Buathier announced her departure to the City of Reynoldsburg, Ohio in March 2023. The city’s director of planning oversees all planning and zoning responsibilities in the Community Development Department. The director also serves as the administrative support to the Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals. Sitterle officially began her role on April 10.