COCHISE COUNTY – Planning is about looking to the future. Land use planning involves considerations for the use of land in an efficient way to benefit the wider economy while protecting existing communities and the environment. Newly appointed Cochise County Planning & Zoning Director Ms. Susan Buchan embraces this idea and is ready to take the County into the next decade starting June 9.

Ms. Buchan’s experience and vision is in line with the goal of the County Comprehensive Plan which is “to promote the future growth of Cochise County in an orderly, harmonious, environmentally and economically responsible manner.”

According to Ms. Buchan. “Implementation of the Board of Supervisor’s vision through the Comprehensive Plan is about taking care of three crucial elements, social, economic and environmental. The effects of decisions we make now about Cochise County will be with us for generations.”

Once a Senior Planner with the Cochise County Planning Department, Ms. Buchan brings a solid understanding of the issues important to Cochise County residents such as understanding and implementing the Comprehensive Plan, and developing area plans within a large rural county containing several, rather than one, urban centers.

“We are excited about Ms. Buchan’s wealth of experience in this arena. She has a real advantage developing rural planning projects for two very different southern Arizona counties, so she can take that perspective and hit the ground running.” explains Mr. Mike Ortega, County Administrator. ”Susan’s experience and education will serve us well as we deal with the various issues we face.”

Ms. Buchan returns to Cochise County from Pima County where she held the position as Green Building Program Manager. Prior to arriving in Cochise County a few years ago, she earned her Master’s Degree in Architecture from Virginia Polytechnical Institute before opening her own architectural design firm in Massachusetts. She also served as a design and architectural consultant for largest affordable housing organization on Cape Cod.

According to Ms. Buchan, “As Director, I’m looking forward to working strategically with the Board of Supervisors and the planning and zoning staff to develop an updated plan focused on their vision of responsibly managed growth. A big part of that implementation involves public cooperation, so we will look to generate more ideas through the process that we started last year with the Envision 2020 project. “

Ms. Buchan takes over as Director effective June 9, 2008. For more information please contact Karla Jensen, Public Information Officer at (520) 432-9207.