Sandy names staff planner as new city planning director

Sandy has hired in-house for its new city planner.

James L. Sorensen was named the new planning director on Tuesday. He has worked as a staff planner with Sandy since 1994. He received his bachelor's degree in political science from Utah State University and a master's degree in environmental planning from Arizona State University. He previously worked as a planner for the city of Phoenix.

Sorensen replaces former planning director George Shaw, who was hired by Salt Lake City as planning director in December.

New job responsibilities for Sorensen include managing all aspects of Sandy's planning division, including general plan administration, commercial-site plan review and subdivisions. He also will be the lead staff person to the planning commission.