Alan Clarke, the Executive Director of the Shreveport/Caddo Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC), retires tomorrow, Wed. Dec. 31. Stephen Jean becomes the interim Executive Director on Thursday, Jan. 1.
Jean is not a new kid on the block with the MPC.
Jean served as a senior planner at the MPC from 2004-2014. He then served as the Deputy Executive Director from 2014 through today.
Having been with the MPC for some 21 years, Jean has been involved in all the planning functions of the MPC. He has frequently appeared at meetings of the Shreveport City Council and the Caddo Commission with Clarke could not attend.
His job MPC responsibilities have been many, including:
Review/processing complex development applications, including rezoning, subdivisions, and site plans
Assisting in budgeting, administration, and policy drafting
Contributing to the 2030 Great Expectations Master Plan
Oversight of land development activities and initiatives
Preparation of policy recommendations on planning related subjects
Leading annual budget preparation and management of operating budgets exceeding $2 million
Professional development manager for MPC staff and technical advisor on regional transportation efforts
Spearheading MPC long range efforts including the One Shreveport initiative and UDC (Unified Development Codes) implementation for Shreveport and Caddo Parish.
Jean is a self-taught architect.
He successfully completed the National Council Architectural Registration Board's Intern Development Program and qualified to take the architectural exam. Jean passed the exam in 1990 and became a registered Architect in the State of Louisiana. By so doing he joined the ranks of self-taught architects including Frank Lloyd Wright, Tadao Ando, Buckminster Fuller and Peter Zumthor.
Jean also passed the American Institute of Certified Planners exam in 2014.
Jean has been through the MPC wars that started with the controversial term of executive director Mark Swinney and the adoption of the UDC. For many reasons this combined zoning and building code was impractical and overly onerous. For several years after its adoption the MPC the UDC was a constant source of controversy that required substantial revisions.
After accommodations were made to the UDC, the MPC was then subject to criticism by the Caddo Commission. The UDC’s regulation of parish land within five miles of the Shreveport city limits led to many concerns over provisions that many believed to be anti-rural in nature. Ultimately this led to the revision of the UDC and the adoption by the Commission of a separate UDC for the five-mile parish zone.
The next battle for the MPC staff was, and still is, funding. Both the City of Shreveport and the Parish contribute funds to the MPC budget and there has been constant pressure by both governmental entities to reduce their respective funding of this separate governmental entity.
And just this month Shreveport Mayor Tom Arcencenuaux has expressed his desire for the MPC to become a department of the city. One can expect Mayor Tom to explore this idea in the coming year to provide more accountability to taxpayers.
Jean is aware of the many frustration’s council members had with Clarke and the entire zoning process during the current term of the council. He also understands the continuing push back by Caddo Commissioners over zoning matters with the five-mile area.
Jean is not a new player to the game, and he has enjoyed a good relationship with both the council and the commission. But then he was the number two when appearing before these bodies versus being the head MPC cheese. No doubt he will only have a short honeymoon when zoning matters become foreground to these elected officials.
Jean is the logical choice to serve as the interim Executive Director, and he should have the inside track on becoming the permanent Executive Director once the MPC Board makes its selection. To say the least there are many balls up in the air at the MPC office and this interim period will provide a good test run for Jean to prove his mettle to the MPC Board, the city council and the commission who do not hire the executive director but have the power of the purse strings.
John came to Shreveport in January of 1977 when he was transferred to Barksdale AFB.
He’s been active in Shreveport politics since deciding to make Shreveport his home.
John practiced law for 40 years and he now monitors local politics. He regularly attends Shreveport City Council and Caddo Parish Commission meetings.
John is published weekly in The Inquisitor, bi-monthly in The Forum News, and frequently in the Shreveport Times.
He enjoys addressing civic groups on local government issues and elections.