Leadership

Joseph D. Smith, AICP

Principal

Joseph has over seventeen years of professional experience in public and private sector planning, land use policy and real estate development, policy development and permitting, managing planning departments, budget and fiscal oversight, and providing effective customer service delivery. Prior to establishing California Coastal Works in 2021, Joseph was the Director of Planning and Community Development for the City of Del Mar with previous roles as a Department Manager in Development Services for the Port of San Diego and Senior Planning staff for the cities of Malibu and Del Mar. Joseph worked in private consulting in the development industry before his tenure in public service. Joseph is adept at navigating California’s coastal regulations under the Coastal Act and Local Coastal Programs, the Public Trust, CEQA and City and County Zoning Codes and General Plans.

Further, he is an effective problem solver, personable and skilled at consensus building in community and government relations and experienced at presenting before Boards and Commissions. In addition to project coordination, Joseph provides complex policy analysis and development, administration of regulatory programs and permitting, development strategy and government advocacy. Joseph holds a Master in Public Policy from Pepperdine University and a Bachelors in Political Science from the University of Washington. Joseph is trained in land use and zoning, policy development, coastal regulations, environmental compliance, governance (Brown Act and ethics), management and leadership.

Memberships

Articles and Speaking Engagements