The Planning Department strives to preserve and enhance the quality of life of Suffolk citizens by providing sound and efficient management of the City's overall land use planning program and to develop mechanisms for Council to utilize in managing and guiding growth when considering land use changes and the development of the City.

The mission of the Planning Department is to provide effective management of the City's overall land planning program; to develop mechanisms for Council to utilize in managing and guiding growth when considering land use changes and the development of the City; to assure orderly and efficient new development; to protect existing stable neighborhoods through sound regulatory controls; to help plan and manage the revitalization of declining areas; and to develop, maintain, and make available current information on physical, social, economic, and environmental conditions.

Tasks include overall Departmental oversight and supervision, budgeting, personnel management, work program management, policy analysis, strategic planning, and staffing of the Planning Commission including serving as Secretary, and extensive interaction with other Departments in cooperative team activities. Extensive interaction and work with the City Manager, Assistant City Managers, City Attorney, City Council, Board of Zoning Appeals and Planning Commission is performed.