Catherine Lin, AICP
Claremont
Summary
Accomplished planning professional with extensive experience in land use planning and environmental review. Skilled in facilitating community discussions and presenting development proposals, driving successful project outcomes aligned with municipal goals.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Planner
City of Claremont
Claremont
10.2024 - Current
- Managed major planning projects that are often controversial, including master plans, multi-family housing developments, hotels, and educational institution expansions.
- Spearheaded implementation of City’s Housing Element to enhance community development.
- Facilitated discussions with property owners and development professionals on potential project merits.
- Presented development proposals to City Council and Planning Commission for approval.
- Provided guidance on appropriate selection criteria when evaluating prospective vendors or partners.
- Prepared reports and presentations for city council regarding planning strategies.
- Identified opportunities for improvement in planning processes and recommended solutions to senior leadership.
- Mentored junior planners in best practices for urban design and policy implementation.
Community Development Director
City of Westminster
Westminster
10.2023 - 09.2024
- Oversaw functions of Planning, Building, Housing, Business License, and Community Preservation Divisions with 32 staff members.
- Collaborated with developers, engineers, and contractors to evaluate potential development projects.
- Provided weekly updates on priority development initiatives to City Manager.
- Partnered with City Manager’s office on top economic development initiatives.
- Addressed inquiries and prioritized projects for City Council to ensure policy alignment.
- Prepared and presented staff reports and management updates to City Manager and City Council.
- Managed development of RFPs, consultant selection, and contract execution efficiently.
- Led recruitment efforts for full-time and part-time staff to maintain department operations.
Principal Planner
City of Redlands
Redlands
05.2018 - 02.2023
- Managed complex, long-range planning projects, including the 6th Cycle Housing Element Update for compliance with state law.
- Contributed to Transit Villages Specific Plan by developing form-based code and design guidelines.
- Drafted ordinances and implemented workflows for all long-range planning initiatives.
- Presented complex housing issues to City Manager, City Council, stakeholders, and the public
- Managed current planning projects, including residential subdivisions, multi-family developments, warehouses, hotels, and commercial uses.
- Established processes to meet State mandates on planning-related issues.
- Coordinated staff training on new legislation and job skills.
- Provided technical support to the planning division staff.
Principal Planner
City of Moreno Valley
Moreno Valley
02.2023 - 08.2023
- Managed the Planning Division, overseeing 16 in-house staff and consultants for current and long-range planning projects.
- Provided weekly updates on priority development projects to City Manager.
- Facilitated Development Review Committee meetings with project applicants and city staff across multiple departments.
- Coordinated meeting agendas, notices, staff reports, and resolutions for Planning Division.
- Oversaw staff and consultants, offering technical support on complex entitlement projects, including EIRs and IS/MNDs.
- Developed division calendar of deadlines to guide all activities efficiently.
- Engaged with developers regarding potential development projects to assess feasibility.
Senior Planner
City of Pomona
Pomona
08.2016 - 05.2018
- Managed complex long-range planning projects, including the Housing Element Update, the Downtown Pomona Specific Plan Update, and the Zoning Code Update.
- Provided technical support for Associate Planners, Assistant Planners, and Planning Interns.
- Oversaw consultants for technical studies.
- Responsible for the Cultural Arts Commission, including all of its activities, meeting agendas, and notices.
- Managed City's Art in Public Places program alongside the Cultural Arts Commission.
- Spearheaded ongoing public outreach campaigns to engage community stakeholders in planning projects.
- Conducted research and drafted amendments for zoning ordinances.
Associate Planner
City of Fontana
Fontana
06.2014 - 07.2016
- Coordinated workflows in advanced planning section.
- Supervised assistant planner and planning intern, ensuring adherence to tasks and deadlines.
- Managed the General Plan Update, Housing Element Update, and the Climate Action Plan.
- Conferred with executive management and community stakeholders to coordinate high-priority studies.
- Conducted research and analysis of state legislation, providing recommendations on key topics.
- Developed strategic work programs to tackle complex planning issues and meet state requirements.
- Represented Department in regional agency meetings, advocating for City interests.
Assistant Planner
City of Yorba Linda
Yorba Linda
12.2006 - 06.2014
- Delivered exemplary customer service at planning counter, ensuring positive client interactions.
- Managed complex planning projects with multiple concurrent timelines across diverse disciplines.
- Assisted with the Housing Element Update.
- Reviewed and approved business licenses, grading plans, and landscape plans for compliance.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to implement land-use initiatives and policies.
- Prepared detailed staff reports and presentations for Planning Commission and City Council meetings.
- Developed Design Guidelines for multi-family residential projects to enhance community standards.
- Oversaw historic preservation projects, including updates to Historic Preservation Element.
- Analyzed demographic data to guide planning decisions and recommendations.
Associate
GRC Associates
Covina
01.2004 - 12.2006
- Assisted southern California city and county governments with General Plan Updates and Housing Elements Updates.
- Prepared CEQA analysis for long-range planning and Capital Improvement Projects.
- Organized and facilitated public outreach meetings to present project information.
- Conducted environmental analyses and prepared documents such as EIR, MND, and Initial Study.
- Reviewed technical studies, compiled findings, and provided recommendations to project teams.
- Executed research and fieldwork to identify community vision for comprehensive General Plan Updates.
- Developed redevelopment feasibility studies and implementation plans for local governments.
Planning Intern
City of Yorba Linda
Yorba Linda
01.2002 - 12.2004
- Delivered customer service at planning counter, via phone, and through email communications.
- Managed development projects while ensuring effective communication among all stakeholders.
- Prepared staff reports and presented development projects at Planning Commission meetings.
- Conducted plan checks and zoning reviews for business licenses.
- Facilitated zoning administrator meetings and conducted assigned research or field studies.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Studio Art
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE
Irvine, CA12-2021
Master of Arts - Urban Planning
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES
Los Angeles, CA06-2004
Bachelor of Arts - Environmental Analysis and Design
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE
Irvine, CA06-2001
Skills
- Project management
- Policy writing
- Land use planning
- Community outreach
- Zoning regulations
- Environmental review
- Stakeholder engagement
- Team leadership
- Presentation skills
- Program evaluation
- Design review
- Economic development
Professional Volunteer Experience
- Vice President of Membership, APA California Chapter, 2024 - Present
- Statewide Programs Coordinator, APA California Chapter, 2022-2004
- Vice Director of Programs, APA Los Angeles Section, 2016 - 2021
- Speaker, California APA Conference, 2014, 2017
- Legislation Review Team Member, American Planning Association California Chapter, 2015- 2018
- Program Committee Member, American Planning Association California State Conference, 2006, 2014
- Student Representative, APA Los Angeles, 2003 - 2004
Certification
- American Institute of Certified Planners. American Planning Association. Certification No. 025139.
- GIS Certificate. Cal Poly Pomona. February 2012.
Timeline
Senior Planner
City of Claremont
10.2024 - Current
Community Development Director
City of Westminster
10.2023 - 09.2024
Principal Planner
City of Moreno Valley
02.2023 - 08.2023
Principal Planner
City of Redlands
05.2018 - 02.2023
Senior Planner
City of Pomona
08.2016 - 05.2018
Associate Planner
City of Fontana
06.2014 - 07.2016
Assistant Planner
City of Yorba Linda
12.2006 - 06.2014
Associate
GRC Associates
01.2004 - 12.2006
Planning Intern
City of Yorba Linda
01.2002 - 12.2004
Bachelor of Arts - Studio Art
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE
Master of Arts - Urban Planning
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES
Bachelor of Arts - Environmental Analysis and Design
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE
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