Carol Helland Appointed City Of Redmond's New Director Of Planning And Community Development

Redmond, WA – At last night’s meeting, Redmond City Council approved Mayor Angela Birney's appointment of Carol Helland as the new Director of Planning and Community Development. Carol previously served as deputy planning director and began serving as interim planning director after Erika Vandenbrande announced her retirement in January this year.

“In her time with the City, Carol has shown she has the experience, knowledge, and dedication to positively lead Redmond’s Planning and Community Development Department,” said Mayor Angela Birney. “She has provided effective guidance, advice, and counsel to the Mayor, City Council, and staff on community development and land use, and we look forward to her continued contributions to the Redmond community.”

Before joining the City of Redmond in 2019 as the deputy planning director, Carol served the City of Bellevue as its Land Use Director. She has over 30 years of land use, planning, environmental, governmental affairs, and legal experience in local government and as a practicing attorney. As an attorney, she focused her practice on land use and environmental law, and during the 1990s, she served on the City of Redmond Planning Commission. Carol and her family have lived in the City of Redmond since 1989 and feel a deep connection to the people and places that make Redmond a wonderful place to live.

“I am humbled by the opportunity to lead the dedicated and talented Planning and Community Development staff as their Director. “I am also excited to join the City’s executive team in service to the community where my husband and I have raised our children and lived for more than 30 years.”