Development Services Wins 10th Consecutive Planning Excellence Award

The City of Bryan Development Services has earned the 2025 Richard R. Lillie, FAICP, Planning Excellence Recognition Award from the Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association for the 10th consecutive year. Bryan has received the award 11 times overall and is one of 49 Texas municipalities recognized for their work in 2025.

“Our Development Services team works every day to balance growth with quality of life, ensuring that decisions made today set Bryan up for long-term success,” said Martin Zimmermann, development services director. “This recognition belongs to a staff that consistently goes above and beyond for our residents, businesses and neighborhoods.”

During the award recognition at the Jan. 13 City Council meeting, Mayor Bobby Gutierrez credited Development Services for the city’s growth over the past two decades.

2025 Development Services Highlights

• Issued 7,002 permits, an average of 27 per business day.
• Conducted more than 22,000 inspections.
• Permit Center staff answered approximately 20,000 phone calls.
• Processed 230 redevelopment applications, 227 new development review cases and held 158 pre-development meetings.
• Kicked off the Comprehensive Plan update process and is seeking feedback from the community through a survey.
• Relocated to the former BTU Administration Building at 200 E. 29th Street, now known as the Development Center, along with Engineering Services, Community Development and Destination Bryan.
• Assisted with and showcased Bryan at the 2025 Texas Chapter Conference of the American Planning Association.
• Conducted a property development customer satisfaction survey and began using the results to guide continuous improvement efforts.

Be a Part of the Team

Development Services is hiring an Electrical Inspector and a Development Services Technician. Visit the city’s job website to learn more and apply.

Resources

For more information about Development Services, visit the Development Services webpage or call 979-209-5030.

To learn more about the Planning Excellence Recognition Program, visit the American Planning Association Texas Chapter website.