Shawna Brekke-Read, who has been Moraga's planning director for three years, says she could not resist the offer she received from South Lake Tahoe to become its new development services director. The job includes "in-house building, planning, a redevelopment agency, code enforcement and housing, and economic development. It's taking planning and expanding it," she explained.
Brekke-Read is married to Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School teacher Don Read who will stay in Moraga. "He's developed very successful French and debate programs there," she said, "so we will take turns commuting over the weekend."
Luck has it that a few years ago the couple bought a fixer-upper condo in Kings Beach, which will now become her new home.
In a letter to the Moraga Town Council, Town Manager Jill Keimach noted that under Brekke-Read's leadership the Planning Department has been able to initiate and complete many more long term projects in addition to the vast number of remodels, additions, and new constructions, along with development applications. She highlighted a number of milestones including the initiation and completion of the Climate Action Task Force and its Climate Action Plan, a new sign ordinance, the Housing Element update, and the current hillside and ridgeline ordinance review.
"I will miss Shawna's insight and perspective. She was a pleasure to work beside on a daily basis," Keimach added. It was not unusual, during the first year of Brekke-Read's tenure when planning staff was scarce, to find Keimach and her planning director working together very late on Friday night, long after everyone else had gone home except the police officers on the graveyard shift.
Brekke-Read's last day is Sept. 5. Senior planner Ellen Clark will serve as interim director.
Brekke-Read is married to Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School teacher Don Read who will stay in Moraga. "He's developed very successful French and debate programs there," she said, "so we will take turns commuting over the weekend."
Luck has it that a few years ago the couple bought a fixer-upper condo in Kings Beach, which will now become her new home.
In a letter to the Moraga Town Council, Town Manager Jill Keimach noted that under Brekke-Read's leadership the Planning Department has been able to initiate and complete many more long term projects in addition to the vast number of remodels, additions, and new constructions, along with development applications. She highlighted a number of milestones including the initiation and completion of the Climate Action Task Force and its Climate Action Plan, a new sign ordinance, the Housing Element update, and the current hillside and ridgeline ordinance review.
"I will miss Shawna's insight and perspective. She was a pleasure to work beside on a daily basis," Keimach added. It was not unusual, during the first year of Brekke-Read's tenure when planning staff was scarce, to find Keimach and her planning director working together very late on Friday night, long after everyone else had gone home except the police officers on the graveyard shift.
Brekke-Read's last day is Sept. 5. Senior planner Ellen Clark will serve as interim director.
Reach the reporter at:
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA