Bohler Hosts Meet and Greet With Charlotte’s New Director of Planning

On March 8, Bohler’s Charlotte office invited development client and professionals to the office for a meet and greet with the newly appointed Director of Planning, Taiwo “Tai” Jaiyeoba.

The event offered active developers in Charlotte the opportunity to hear Tai’s vision and goals in his role and for his department, as well as the chance to make personal introductions and ask questions related to their projects and plans.

“What happens in the community now is critical to our future legacy as a city,” said Jaiyeoba during brief remarks offered to the crowd. “Right now, we are at a nexus where development of land and transit are connecting more than ever before.”

Tai feels his appointment to this role at this critical time bring those two factors together. He is an educated planner who, through his work as a consultant, built a specialization around large-scale transit projects, working in communities such as Grand Rapids, Sacramento and Charlotte.

More broadly, Tai pointed to the adoption of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) in 2020 and the collaboration it will take to bring these updated policies and regulations online to support everything that is great about Charlotte, but also build for the future.

“I understand there are 44 new residents moving to Charlotte each day, many of which are millennials. As a department, we need to be challenged and to work together with developers to build the tools that will shape the city into what she is supposed to be. If we can envision it, and it is legal, then we can work together to find a way to get it done.”

While one expects a call for collaboration from an incoming director, the lofty vision was backed up by a call for action, and in some cases, for change. “We as a department want to hear the criticisms, the ideas and the concerns. We are not here to throw the rule book across the table and tell you to figure it out. As the 17th largest city in America, we need the planning department to meet the expectations that come with that position.”

Tai also asked for some patience from the development community, noting a significant staffing need in the development services division which will look to fill with both local and incoming candidates to balance local knowledge and fresh perspective. He closed out the night with a call to developers to take a moment to share their ideas and comments with his team. “We will listen, I promise you that. It is our job to hear the comments and challenge ourselves to create a better process with better outcomes for the city, the businesses and the residents.”

Learn more about Bohler’s Charlotte office, our team of professionals, and how we can help you with development needs in the Carolinas.