New Community Development Director Appointed

Manhattan has a new Community Development Director but it’s a familiar name for the city of Manhattan. Eric Cattell has been named Director of Community Development for the City of Manhattan, effective today. Cattell has been the assistant director for planning for the city for the last 18 years.

As director, Cattell will be responsible for directing all long-range and current land use planning efforts for the city including the preparation of comprehensive plans, neighborhood, corridor and district plans and plan updates, and the implementation of these plans and policies through the zoning and subdivision regulations and other city ordinances. He will also direct administration of grant programs from various sources including U.S. Housing and Urban Development and other state and federal agencies. The community development department works closely with the Manhattan Urban Area Planning Board, Board of Zoning Appeals and the City Commission.

Cattell will lead a number of upcoming planning projects including: Drafting and implementing a Unified Development Ordinance, Working with area representatives on an update to the Fort Riley Joint Land Use Study and Completing and implementing an update to the development plan for Aggieville

Cattell began his professional career with the city in 1983 as a project planner.