The District of Lantzville’s community planner is no longer a part-time job.
Lantzville councillors agreed last week to convert Frank Limshue’s role as part-time community planner into a full-time position during an in-camera meeting. His new salary will be roughly $105,000 annually and includes benefits.
The decision comes after a report earlier this year by Fred Manson, the district’s former interim chief administrative officer, which recommended councillors convert Limshue to a full-time employee. The report stated that as a part-time employee making $66,719 a year, Limshue had been working well above what was expected of him. Councillors had discussed the issue during committee of the whole meetings back in March, but opted to make a decision once a new CAO had been hired.
Limshue, a graduate of Ryerson University, joined the district on a part-time basis in December 2015. As community planner, he is responsible for overseeing all aspects of planning within the district, such as ensuring development or rezoning applications don’t violate the official community plan or existing bylaws.
“Every day is slightly different. It’s never the same from one day to the next,” Limshue told the News Bulletin. “One day might be dealing with bylaw enforcement issues and the next day it will be dealing with development issues. They can range in scale from the Foothills to someone who is simply looking to do a one-lot subdivision.”
Limshue has also been leading the district’s official community plan update and water master plan formulation, which required him to attend kitchen table meetings, workshops and public planning forums.
He said now that he’s full-time, the only thing that will change is his availability.
“The job description doesn’t change,” Limshue said. “I am just able to spend more time in the office to accomplish the mandate given to me by mayor and council.”
Coun. Bob Colclough said a full-time planner has been badly needed in the district for years. He said the planning position is important because it ensures that developers stay within the limits of the OCP.
“To me the planner is the community’s first line of defense when there is a proposed development,” he said. “Their responsibility is to the residents and to protect their interests and see the goals of the OCP.”
Coun. Will Geselbracht called Limshue an asset to the district.
“He’s one of the hardest-working guys I’ve seen,” he said. “The guy has been donating time over an above what he gets paid for by going to kitchen table meetings, going to these committee meetings for the OCP.”
Geselbracht said he isn’t concerned about the position’s increase in salary because it’s warranted in order to retain top talent such as Limshue.
“You get what you pay for. If you don’t pay for competent, qualified staff then you don’t get it,” he said. “He’s worth his weight in gold.”
Coun. John Coulson said he was against the decision because it is strictly for the benefit of “big” development. He said it’s just another way that existing Lantzville residents are paying for development.
“I believe the justification to do it is strictly for the benefit of big development,” he said. “I am against putting that cost on the backs of existing residents.”
Coulson is also concerned about the six-figure salary that accompanies the full-time position. He said the district could have hired an equally qualified senior planner for less money and that it’s misleading to believe that the district needs to pay six figures to retain top talent.
“It seems like every management position in this organization we have to pay a $100,000 to,” he said.