The Allen County Department of Planning Services staff works with many of the elected and appointed government bodies within the city and county, as each has its own duties and responsibilities. The staff works with the Allen County Board of Commissioners which is the county's administrative and legislative body, The City Council which is the city's fiscal and legislative body. The staff serves as primary staff to the Allen County Plan Commission, City of Fort Wayne Plan Commission, Allen County Board of Zoning Appeals, City of Fort Wayne Board of Zoning Appeals, Allen County Redevelopment Commission, and the Allen County Economic Development Commission.

The City of Fort Wayne and Allen County Plan Commission

The Allen County Plan Commission is responsible for the Allen County Comprehensive Plan, and its implemetation through the Allen County Zoning Ordinance, the Subdivision Control Ordinance, and various policies and practices. Guided by the Comprehensive Plan, the Plan Commission controls the type, location, and timing of development in unincorporated Allen County and works with the City of Woodburn, and the Towns of Grabill, Huntertown, and Monroeville. Fort Wayne, New Haven, and Leo-Cedarville have their own Plan Commissions.

Five of the nine members of the Plan Commission are appointed by the Allen County Board of Commissioners and the Allen County Council. The Allen County Surveyor, the Allen County Extension Educator, and a township trustee serve on the commission by virtue of the positions. One member of the Board of Commissioners serves as well. 

• Susan L. Hoot, President
• David Bailey, Vice President
• Paul W. Lagemann, County Council
• Nelson Peters, County Commissioner
• John Henry, Township Trustee
• James Wolff, County Extension Office
• Mike Fruchey, County Surveyor
• Adam Day
• Renee Fishering
• Robert Eherenman, Legal Counsel

Meetings of the Plan Commission are usually held the second and third Thursdays of the month at 1 p.m.  You can see the annual meeting schedule at the Calendar and Agenda page.

The City of Fort Wayne Plan Commission is responsible for the Allen County Comprehensive Plan, and its implemetation through the Allen County Zoning Ordinance, the Subdivision Control Ordinance, and various policies and practices. The members of the City of Fort Wayne Plan Commission are as follows.

• Connie Haas Zuber, President
• Don Schmidt, Vice President
• Thomas Freistroffer, City Council
• Paul Sauerteig
• Rick Briley
• Rachel Tobin-Smith
• Patrick Zaharako, City Engineer
• Ryan Neumeister
• Judi Wire
• Robert Eherenman, Legal Counsel

Meetings of the City of Fort Wayne Plan Commission are usually held the second and third Mondays of the month at  5:30 p.m. You can see the annual meeting schedule at the Calendar and Agenda page.

The Allen County and City of Fort Wayne Board of Zoning Appeals

The Allen County and City of Fort Wayne Board of Zoning Appeals provides flexibility to the Allen County Zoning Ordinance by allowing exceptions to the Zoning Ordinance under certain circumstances. Also, the Board of Zoning Appeals may allow land uses not otherwise permitted if Zoning Ordinance standards create a hardship for a property owner that relates to the property. In addition, the Board of Zoning Appeals serves as the forum to appeal certain planning and zoning decisions.

The five members of the Allen County Board of Zoning Appeals are appointed by the Allen County Board of Commissioners, the Allen County Council, and the Allen County Plan Commission. The members are:

• Thomas C. Black, Jr.
• Ron Kohart
• David Bailey
• Heather Drebenstedt
• Susie Hoot
• Robert Eherenman, Legal Counsel

Meetings of the Board of Zoning Appeals are usually held the second Wednesday of the month at 1 p.m in Room 35 of Citizens Square, 200 East Berry Street. You can see the annual meeting schedule at the Calendar and Agenda page.

The five members of the City of Fort Wayne Board of Zoning Appeals are appointed by the Mayor, the City Council, and the City of Fort Wayne Plan Commission. The members are:

• Rachel Tobin-Smith
• James Hoch
• Connie Haas Zuber
• Ron Howard
• Lakisha Woods
• Robert Eherenman, Legal Counsel

Meetings of the City of Fort Wayne Board of Zoning Appeals are usually held the Third Thursday of the month at 5:30 p.m in Room 35 of Citizens Square, 200 East Berry Street. You can see the annual meeting schedule at the Calendar and Agenda page.

The Allen County and City of Fort Wayne Zoning Hearing Officer

The Zoning Hearing Officer hears certain cases that would otherwise be heard by the Board of Zoning Appeals. Cases that are noncontroversial and routine can generally be heard by the Zoning Hearing Officer. This offers an applicant a less expensive means of having a case heard. The Zoning Hearing Officer is a senior staff member of the Department of Planning Services.

You can see the annual meeting schedule for both the City and County Hearing Officer at the Calendar and Agenda page.

Redevelopment Commission

The Allen County Redevelopment Commission has duties specified by state law that include investigation of blighted areas, selection and acquisition of blighted areas to be redeveloped, and promotion of the use of land in a manner that best serves its inhabitants. The Commission can aquire, hold, and sell property for redevelopment; accept loans, grants, and other financial assistance; and contract for the consruction of local public improvements. The Commission's primary duties in recent years have been identifying target areas for industrial development, designation of economic development areas, and undertaking infrastructure projects.

Members of the Allen County Redevelopment Commission are appointed by the Allen County Board of Commissioners. The members are:

• Richard E. Beck, Jr., President
• Kurt Gutman, Vice President
• Darren Vogt, Secretary
• Jill Kinder
• Tom Harris
• Tim Hines
• G. William Fishering, Legal Counsel

Meetings of the Commission are usually held on the Second Tuesday of each month at 1:30 pm. You can see the annual meeting schedule at the Calendar and Agenda page.

Economic Development Commission

The Allen County Economic Development Commission has very limited powers and duties. Its primary duty is the consideration of applications for industrial revenue bonds.

One member of the Allen County Economic Development Commission is appointed by the Allen County Board of Commissioners, one by the Allen County Council, and one by the Mayor of Fort Wayne. The members are:

• Richard E. Beck, Jr., President
• Jill Kinder, Vice President
• Kurt Gutman, Secretary.
• G. William Fishering, Legal Counsel

The Commission meets on an as-needed basis.

The Allen County Plan Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, Allen County Zoning Hearing Officer, Allen County Redevelopment Commission, and Allen County Economic Development Commission members can be contacted at the following address and phone numbers: