For Chair

Joseph K. Horwedel, AICP

Director, Planning, Building and Code Enforcement Department
City of San Jose, CA

Joseph Horwedel is the Director of the Planning, Building and Code Enforcement Department for the City of San Jose, California. He has held this position since 2006 and currently manages a staff of over 200. He is a proud graduate of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo with a degree in City and Regional Planning. Joe speaks at a variety of conferences on topics including Legally Defensive Environmental Review, Community Engagement and Education, Sign Regulation and LED Signage, Measurably Improving the Development Process and Improving the Relevance of Planning.

Throughout his tenure, Joe has led his Department through a number of forward looking initiatives which include the recently adopted Envision 2040 General Plan update that sets a new direction for the City of San Jose. The new plan reshapes the city, leaves behind our suburban legacy and evolve into a collection of vibrant urban villages, each with its own identity that will allow the city to grow up, not out.