Most recently, Jay Habansky was the planning and zoning director? in Stratford.Patch StaffNORWALK, CT — Jay Habansky, who most recently was the planning and zoning director in Stratford, has been named Norwalk's new Chief of Economic and Community Development, Mayor Harry Rilling announced Wednesday.In his new position, Habansky will lead the implementation of the City’s economic and community development initiatives and advise and assist the Mayor, City departments, boards, and external agencies on economi...
Most recently, Jay Habansky was the planning and zoning director? in Stratford.
Patch Staff
NORWALK, CT — Jay Habansky, who most recently was the planning and zoning director in Stratford, has been named Norwalk's new Chief of Economic and Community Development, Mayor Harry Rilling announced Wednesday.
In his new position, Habansky will lead the implementation of the City’s economic and community development initiatives and advise and assist the Mayor, City departments, boards, and external agencies on economic development strategies and policy development. Additionally, Habansky will also oversee the departments of Planning and Zoning, Code Enforcement, Business Development and Tourism, and Transportation, Mobility, and Parking within City Hall.
"I am thrilled to welcome Jay Habansky to the City of Norwalk as our Chief of Economic and Community Development," Rilling said in a statement. "Jay brings expertise in planning and zoning, community outreach, and urban design and development. His experiences highlight his commitment to urban planning with a focus on economic policy, transit-oriented development, infrastructure connectivity, and sustainability. Jay’s leadership will be critical in this role and help us advance Norwalk’s economic and community development goals and objectives, attract and support new and local businesses, and streamline City processes. I look forward to seeing the work he will carry out with our City and community partners."
"I am so thrilled to be joining Mayor Rilling and the fantastic team he has built in Norwalk," Habansky said. "I look forward to collaborating with residents, community leaders and the business community to continue leveraging the amazing momentum the City has worked so hard to generate. I am excited to get to work and proudly serve the City of Norwalk."
From Rilling's announcement:
Habansky has experience in municipal economic development programs, planning zoning issues and as a domestic and international planning consultant. Habansky joins the City of Norwalk after working as the planning and zoning director for the Town of Stratford, where he managed all long-range planning and zoning programs, including a comprehensive update of zoning regulations, development of a complete streets master plan, and developed the town’s affordable housing plan and many other initiatives. In this role as administrator, Habansky demonstrated expertise in facilitating community outreach that looked to produce equitable outcomes. Jay has served as an advisor and committee member with several organizations, including the Connecticut Institute of Resilience and Climate Adaptation, Regional Transportation Technical Advisory Committee, and Governor’s Task Force on Affordable Housing in Fairfield County. Prior to working in Stratford, Habansky was a City Planner for the City of Bridgeport, where he facilitated urban design projects, streetscape restoration, and transportation infrastructure. Habansky is also an adjunct lecturer at the University of Arizona’s College of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape Architecture Master of Real Estate Development Program.
Habansky is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners and holds a master’s degree in urban and regional planning from the University of Florida, in addition to a bachelor’s degree in sociology from St. Lawrence University. He has also worked internationally in South America, coordinating with government officials, planning agencies, and universities, on various projects related to planning policy, economic development, transportation, stormwater mitigation, climate change and coastal resiliency.