Fredericksburg selects new planning director

The city of Fredericksburg has named Charles R. Johnston as its new director of planning and community development effective April 15.

Johnston was chosen from 53 applicants representing 23 states, according to a news release from the city. He is currently planning director for Calvert County, Md., where he manages an annual budget of $2.8 million and a staff of 45 employees. He was Clarke County’s planning director for more than 20 years.

Johnston was attracted to Fredericksburg due in part to “the uniqueness of the city and its neighborhoods,” according to the news release.

Johnston has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Master of City and Regional Planning degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Design. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners, Congress for the New Urbanism and Urban Land Institute.

Ray Ocel, who previously held the job, resigned in January. Erik Nelson has been serving as the city’s interim planning director.

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