SHREVEPORT MPC APPOINTMENT OF STEPHEN JEAN AS PERMANENT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR THE RIGHT DECISION

At the Wednesday meeting of the Shreveport Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC) the Board unanimously approved Stephen Jean as the new permanent MPC Executive Director. Jean had been serving as the interim Executive Director since Alan Clarke's retirement on December 31 of last year.
 
The MPC provides planning and zoning services for the City of Shreveport and Caddo Parish, both of which have suffered from declining populations for the last 10 years.
 
Jean is a seasoned MPC employee who brings a fresh perspective to the city's planning needs, including revising many long-standing requirements for parking and building landscaping.
 
Jean, like his predecessor Clarke, has been careful to keep “politics” out of staff recommendations while espousing sound land planning strategies.
 
As interim executive director, in his appearances before the Council and the Commission this year, he has been well prepared and he has established a good relationship with the city council and the Caddo commission while maintaining the integrity of the MPC, a separate governmental entity funded by both the city and the parish.
 
Although fresh faces are sometimes needed in governmental offices, continuity was critical with Jean and the MPC, especially given the renewed interest in both developing new small businesses and attracting large outside companies.
 
Additionally, many Shreveport neighborhoods continue to experience population decline and deterioration of housing stock which mandates the need for innovation in the unified development codes that govern the city and the parish.
 
Jean is the right person for the MPC at the right time.
 
Congratulations to Stephen and the MPC Board!