Planning and Development Department

The city of Alliance has in the past and continues still to be committed to improving housing conditions for low-moderate income individuals and households through the owner-occupied housing rehab program.  This program is operated with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds through the Department of Planning and Development.  The purpose of the program is to provide decent, safe and sanitary housing for qualified low to moderate single family residential homeowners. CDBG funds are also provided to social service agencies that will benefit the low/moderate income eligible individual.

Instead of a city-wide or sporadic housing rehab program, the city has targeted a specific low/mod neighborhood in the downtown area for revitalization known as the “Freedom Avenue Revitalization Project”. Rehab will include curbs, streets, water and sewer lines, street lighting, sidewalks, tree removal and housing rehab. This will provide the area with a more secure neighborhood environment.

The city has a Code Enforcement Officer/Zoning Inspector along with a Housing Specialist who have been trained to perform inspections, investigate complaints and assess the extent and cost of having rehab work done for the owner-occupied housing rehab program.

The Director of the Department of Planning and Development reports to the Mayor and the Director of Public Safety and Service. His duties include administering the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, coordination with Stark County (lead agency for H.O.M.E. Consortium) for allocation and expenditures of federal H.O.M.E. funds, supervision of staff, reviews of subdivision and zoning appeals applications and advising the Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals on related matters, working closely with the Administration, City Council and other departments in the development and execution of the city’s short and long term plans and goals, including preparation and submittal of grant applications for federal and state funding.

The Program Coordinator reports to the Director of the Department of Planning and Development and is responsible for coordinating the owner-occupied housing rehabilitation program, preparing and submitting Community Development Block Grant Reports, preparation of Funding Agreements for CDBG subrecipients activities and bid packages for CDBG proposals and performance of duties necessary in the daily operation of the department.

The Steno II reports directly to the Director of the Department of Planning and Development and the Program Coordinator.  She is responsible for receiving monthly payments, making deposits, compiling monthly reports to the City Auditor, filing and entering computer data, records and reports.  The Steno II performs required bookkeeping, purchase orders/requisitions and payroll.