Community Development Director Gets New Job in Palo Alto

After 10 years at City Hall and five years leading San Bruno's building projects, Aaron Aknin is leaving his post as the community development director, the city recently announced.

He will be taking a position as the assistant director of planning and community environment for the city of Palo Alto. He'll start that position next month.

Aknin started with the city as an assistant planner in 2002 and has been a part of a number of significant developments during his tenure with San Bruno.

He worked on the renovation of The Shops at Tanforan. He was the project planner for several new residential developments, including the Marisol, Merimont, Skycrest, Cedar Mills and Pacific Bay Vistas projects.

He also led the process when the city updated its last general plan and when the downtown transit corridors plan was completed.

Aknin also oversaw the plan for developing the Crossing, a project that brought 1,000 new homes, retail space and hotel space to the former Navy site across from the mall.

During his tenure, Aknin has served as a city liaison on the San Bruno Chamber of Commerce board of directors.

Aknin also became one of the city liaisons that helped residents cope and rebuild following the San Bruno fire in 2010.

In his remarks to the City Council at its meeting this week, Aknin said the city manager took a chance on him by hiring him as the director of the community development director at a young age. He was 29.

But Aknin, now 34, said he welcomed the challenge and is proud of his accomplishments.

"I got to work with an awesome staff, a great department head team and city manager, as well as a wonderful Planning Commission and City Council," Aknin said in an interview. "Not to mention hundreds of incredible San Bruno residents and businesses owners, which is undoubtedly the most enjoyable part of job."

Several council members praised Aknin for his contributions to the city.

Vice Mayor Ken Ibarra said Aknin has "been very good for the city" and that, because of Aknin's leadership, he has been able to brag about the city's planning department throughout San Mateo County.

"I’ve been a better designer because of your staff and your department," Ibarra, who is an architect, told Aknin this week.

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