The City of San Ramon is pleased to announce Mr. Lauren Barr as the City’s next Director of Community Development, effective August 25. Barr has been part of the City of San Ramon’s Community Development Department for more than 18 years, most recently as Planning Division Manager since 2017, and brings more than 25 years of experience in City Planning.
“We are fortunate to have someone as deeply experienced in community development as Lauren," said City Manager Steven Spedowfski. ”He has been a valuable part of San Ramon's Community Development Department for many years, and we look forward to his continued contributions to the City.”
Barr was born and raised in the East Bay. He joined the City of San Ramon’s Community Development Department in 2007—first as a Senior Planner, then Acting Manager of the Planning Services Division, then Planning Services Division Manager in 2017. In the role, Barr has had the opportunity to work on complex land use projects as well as help develop and refine local land use policy related to the City’s General Plan, Zoning Code, Climate Action Plan and various Specific Plan documents. He was also the project planner for the City Center project, CityWalk Master Plan, Walking District, and several future housing projects within the City Core.
Prior to joining the City of San Ramon, he served in several capacities for the City of Laguna Woods from 2002 – 2007, including Community Development Director, and has worked as a land use planner in several other public agency and private sector positions in both Northern and Southern California over the past 26 years.
“San Ramon is a wonderful City, with engaged residents, a responsive business community, and has an exceptional and dedicated City staff that works hard to further
the values, vision, and quality of life for the community,” said Barr. “I look forward to continuing to serve the community and do my part to help address the current and future needs of the City.”
Barr succeeds the City’s previous Director of Community Development, Debbie Chamberlain, who retires in August 2025.
Barr is a current member of the American Planning Association, and a Board Member of Leadership San Ramon Valley.
Barr, a registered landscape architect, holds a BA in Environmental Design from the University of California, Berkeley, along with a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) and a Master of Landscape Architecture with a Land Planning emphasis, both from the University of Oregon.