Planning And Urban Design Director Julia Ryan Leaves a Legacy in Short Tenure at Dallas City Hall
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The resignations of two outspoken Dallas department directors with major ties to housing were confirmed by city leaders late Friday.
CandysDirt.com immediately reached out to Director of Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization David Noguera and Director of Planning and Urban Design Julia Ryan, with whom we’ve had an excellent rapport over the past few years.
We heard back from Ryan and several people who value her contributions to Dallas. All those we talked to said she left the city’s challenging planning and zoning “situation” better than she found it.
Ryan has worked in municipal planning for about 16 years, primarily in Fort Worth, and is taking her talents to Arkansas. Her last day on Marilla Street is Sept. 20.
“While my time has been short with the City of Dallas, the change that has taken place during that time has been significant,” Ryan told CandysDirt.com on Monday. “My decision to resign has been a very difficult decision that has not been taken lightly. An opportunity presented itself to allow me to live closer to my family in northwestern Arkansas. If there has been nothing else a global pandemic has taught us, life is short and there is no guarantee of the future — which was a major factor in my decision.”
‘A Fresh, Forward-Thinking Trend’
Ryan has been busy since arriving at Dallas City Hall in 2021. She’s overseen the overhaul of the city’s antiquated zoning code and was in the midst of the ForwardDallas comprehensive land use plan update.
“My personal philosophy is to leave a place better than I found it, and my time at Dallas was no different,” Ryan said. “I am proud of the accomplishments that I helped move forward, such as the Development Code overhaul and placing additional restrictions on asphalt and concrete batch plants.”
Assistant PUD Director Andrea Gilles said it’s a gift to have a boss like Julia Ryan.
“It is rare to find a leader fiercely supportive of staff, the community, the mission of the city, and the profession of planning,” Gilles said. “Julia is all of that, and it has been an absolute honor to work alongside her. She will be greatly missed.”
Assistant Director Andreea Udrea said Ryan is a supportive leader with a wealth of knowledge.
“Julia is this amazing, strong, thoughtful, and masterful leader who transformed our department into a stronger and united one,” Udrea said. “I cannot believe my own luck to have the chance to walk alongside her. Her vision for us and the city is imprinted in all our work and the city itself. Our entire team is immensely grateful for her leadership and we will all miss her immensely. We are just hoping we will honor her legacy and continue her work.”
District 1 Councilman Chad West also had some kind words to say for the departing director.
“Under Julia’s leadership, we have seen a fresh, forward-thinking trend in Planning and Urban Design,” he said. “And she empowered her excellent team of planners with the tools necessary to welcome the growth that we know is coming while still preserving our city’s history and great neighborhoods.”
Julia Ryan Speaks Her Mind
Ryan surprised some when she characterized the city’s short-term rental matter as an “operator issue rather than a land use issue,” essentially opposing a Dallas City Council majority that wanted to change the zoning code and ban STRs from residential neighborhoods.
That’s what ultimately happened, but Ryan stood her ground in a contentious June council meeting, recommending that STRs be entirely addressed through the registration process and not via amendments to the zoning code.
Despite some professional opinions that went against the grain, by all accounts she is well-liked and respected at City Hall.
Ryan said she was grateful for the opportunity to work for City Manager T.C. Broadnax.
“It is rare for a City Manager to understand and prioritize planning in a city, but Mr. Broadnax has been a catalyst in the direction of the department,” she said. “Dallas has been rapidly changing for decades and limited planning work played a role in the overarching issues surrounding neighborhoods such as environmental justice, gentrification and displacement, and housing affordability and availability.”
Broadnax told the council last week he will announce plans soon for an interim assignment.
“The wonderful connections and friends I have made at the City of Dallas will always be in my heart, and I will take those feelings with me to Arkansas,” Ryan said.
