The Planning Services division develops long-range and special area plans to ensure that Salisbury’s citizens have more access to the things they value and administers a number of important local, state, and federal programs for homes, the environment, infrastructure, and the local economy. We strive to strengthen Salisbury’s quality of life and to ensure that our community’s current and future needs can be supported.
Our team works every day to accomplish these goals by closely tracking and responding to local and regional economic/demographic trends, by staying up-to-date on best practices in urban design and city planning, and by listening to the everyday concerns of citizens and business owners who wish to make Salisbury stronger.
COMMUNITY PLANNING DIRECTOR
Hannah Berg Jacobson
(704) 638-5230 | Hannah.Jacobson@salisburync.gov
As Director, Hannah oversees the work of the Community Planning, Development Services and Code Enforcement Divisions. In addition to her supervisory roles, she also manages several economic development incentive projects including the Salisbury Paul Bruhn Grants, the Downtown Revitalization Incentives and the Kesler Mill Brownfield Cleanup.
Currently, Hannah is leading the City’s Forward 2040 Comprehensive Plan. The project is collaborating with the community to design a framework for land use, growth and improvements over the next 20 years.
She has been with the City since April, 2019. She worked with the Durham City-County Planning Department for 10 years before coming to Salisbury.
URBAN DESIGN PLANNER
Alyssa Nelson
(704) 638-5235 | anels@salisburync.gov
Alyssa works on long-range community design and placemaking projects for the City. She manages the annual Blockwork program, Main Street Plan and Sculpture Show and is the staff liaison to the Community Appearance Commission, Dixonville Task Force and Public Art Committee.
In 2020, she was accepted as one of a select group of young designers to the Next City Vanguard Conference in Greensboro, NC. Participants in the conference provide the host city with an action plan of creative urban development solutions.
Alyssa holds a Master’s in Architecture and a Master’s in Urban Design from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Art and Education from Franklin Pierce University. She has been with the City since 2016.
HOUSING PLANNER
Candace Edwards
(704) 638-5324
Candace.Edwards@salisburync.gov
As Housing Planner, Candace develops policies and programs for low and moderate income residents to provide them with affordable housing opportunities. She also serves as staff liaison to the Housing Advocacy Commission and the Homeless Taskforce. Currently, she is charged with creating the Annual Action Plan, Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER), and program administration for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) programs. In addition to Salisbury’s annual CDBG funding allotment, she oversees special grant funding, such as HUD Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) and HOME-American Rescue Act (ARP). She is a Certified Minimum Housing Inspector.
Before joining Community Planning Services in 2020, Candace worked with the Salisbury Police Department, Winston-Salem Police Department, NC Department of Public Safety, the Housing Authority of Winston-Salem, and the Salvation Army. These roles, comprising over 20 years of invaluable experience, allowed Candace to build relationships with community stakeholders, that have proven to be her most valued asset in helping the City’s most vulnerable citizens.
PLANNER
Emily Vanek
(704) 638-5311
Emily.Vanek@salisburync.gov
Emily’s long-range planning duties include facilitating the Municipal Service District, Innes Street Improvement and Historic Preservation grants, as well as assisting with the Forward 2040 Comprehensive Plan project. She is the staff liaison to the Historic Preservation Commission.
Emily received her Bachelor’s degree in Community and Regional Planning from Iowa State University in 2020. Prior to coming to the City in December 2020, she interned at the Iowa Department of Transportation and the City of Traverse City, MI.
In her free time, Emily enjoys glass blowing and creating stained glass pieces.
SR. ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST
Jennifer Pfaff
(704) 638-5240
Jennifer.Pfaff@salisburync.gov
Jenni provides administrative assistance, customer service and project coordination for Planning Services, as well as support for Code Services and Development Services. She serves as Secretary to the Historic Preservation Commission, Housing Advocacy Commission, and Community Appearance Commission.
A native North Carolinian, Jenni has been with the City since July 2021. Her journey to the City has included being a stay-at-home mom, owning a yarn store, and most recently, working for Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. She has a Bachelor’s in English from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
In her spare time, Jenni is an avid reader, accomplished knitter and amateur beekeeper.