Interim Tag Team Might be Option to Replace Retiring City Official

Novato’s city manager is looking at several options to replace outgoing Community Development Director Dave Wallace, who is retiring at the end of the year after 27 years in the planning profession.

Wallace, a 59-year-old Walnut Creek resident and a city employee since 2003, led his team through a challenging time the past 10 months — putting it lightly — as the city was forced to identify locations for possible new housing developments as part of its general plan update. The housing element portion of the update caused an uproar in Novato as citizens rose up to fight against potential complexes for high-density housing, including low-income units. The issue resulted in standing-room-only meetings and pointed criticism at the regional and state housing entities that force compliance on future planning for housing, including mandated numbers of units.

Wallace said he has no plans to see new employment after saying farewell to Novato.

"I have very much enjoyed the time I have worked in Novato,” he said in a statement. “The level of community involvement here is invigorating and demonstrates how much people care about their community. I am proud of Community Development staff's ability to work with the community on development projects like Hamilton Marketplace and to address tough issues such as the housing element."

City Manager Michael Frank said is researching the possibilities for replacing Wallace, who makes $148,668 per year. One choice would be to find two interim directors, one to concentrate on running the department and the other to focus on the general plan update and upcoming plans for the North Redwood Boulevard corridor between Grant Avenue and San Marin Drive.

“If I go out and recruit right now for a community development director, I would have trouble attracting the best possible candidates,” Frank said. “I think it might work best if I find two retired community development directors or city managers who have been through the planning and development pathway before.”

Frank said Wallace retirement “wasn’t a huge surprise” because he dropped some hints over the past few months.

“We will be sad to see him go,” Frank said. “Dave is totally calm, cool and collected all the time. He’s very bright and the consummate professional. We’ve got big shoes to fill.”