Planning Director Christine Brestrup Will Retire in September
Christine Brestrup. Photo: amherstma.gov
Source: amherstma.gov
After over two decades of service, Planning Director Christine Brestrup announced her retirement from the Town of Amherst effective September 27, 2024.
Since joining the Planning Department in 2003, Brestrup has played a crucial role in shaping the town’s development and growth. She has overseen numerous projects that have transformed the Town including the creation of new parks, the development of hundreds of housing units, the construction of large capital projects, as well as the implementation of innovative zoning and general bylaw changes.
“We are deeply grateful for Christine’s dedication and commitment to the Town of Amherst,” said Town Manager Paul Bockelman. “Chris is the consummate professional. She is the embodiment of integrity, intellectual rigor, and professionalism. She is an excellent listener and treats everyone with respect. Most importantly, Chris strengthened the public’s trust in the Planning Department and positioned the Department to be successful well into the future.”
Assistant Town Manager David Ziomek added, “I have worked closely with Chris throughout her – and my – tenure with the Town. We are fortunate that we had Chris to lead the Planning Department during a period of unprecedented activity, perhaps the busiest period of building and regulatory change in the history of the town. Through it all, Chris has been unflappable, guiding the Planning Department with a quiet wisdom and steady hand.”
Brestrup’s tenure with the town began as a student intern in the Planning Department while pursuing a Master of Landscape Architecture degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. After graduation, she worked in Northampton for Huntley Associates and then for a landscape architectural firm in the Boston area before moving back to the Pioneer Valley. She began work in the Amherst Planning Department in 2003 and was appointed Planning Director in 2016.
“Working for the Town of Amherst has been the best job I’ve ever had,” she said. “It combines my interests in design and politics. I’ve been privileged to be at the table when decisions are being made that shape the future of Amherst. I’ve tried to help the public to understand what is going on so that they can make their own informed decisions about whether to support a proposal or not. The Town of Amherst is a wonderful place to live and work, and I’ve been honored to have been part of its development for the past 20 years.”
Brestrup led the permitting for hundreds of market-rate and affordable housing units which significantly increased the Town’s tax base and provided much-needed housing options for residents.
She oversaw numerous general and zoning bylaw changes including the Inclusionary Zoning Bylaw, Mixed-use Buildings Bylaw, Preservation of Historically Significant Buildings Bylaw, Accessory Dwelling Unit Bylaw, and Parking Bylaws. In partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Brestrup developed new floodplain maps that were accurate and based on the most recent scientific data. This effort was followed by the adoption of the Floodplain Overlay Zoning District which designated specific areas as high-risk flood zones.
Brestrup played a central role in supporting the development and expansion of Kendrick Park and Groff Park, the renovations of the historic North Common, and the development and installation of wayfinding signs. She also played a key role in permitting for upcoming large capital projects including renovation of the Jones Library and construction of the new Fort River Elementary School.
The Planning Department, under Brestrup’s leadership, provides staff support for over fifteen boards and committees including the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Community Development Block Grant Advisory Committee, Affordable Housing Trust, Historical Commission, Local Historic District Commission, and more.
“Chris has provided outstanding leadership to our Planning Department during her long service to the town,” shared Town Council President Lynn Griesemer. “We wish to express our deep appreciation for her many contributions to making Amherst a wonderful place to work and live.”
The community will join in a celebration of Christine Brestrup’s tenure at a place and time to be announced in the coming weeks on the town website: www.amherstma.gov
I will greatly miss Chris. She was always prompt to respond to any questions I had and was generous with her time to explain the fine points of the zoning bylaw to me when I started to write about the Planning Board meetings for the Indy. Education is important to her, Her insight into the implications of issues before the Planning Board is always honest and well-considered. It’s hard to imagine the Planning Department without her.
I will second Maura’s comments. Chris listened to and heard public comments about projects and acted with integrity. She was transparent and honest with her feedback and respectful to all. Her job was all consuming and stressful but she did it with amazing calm. She will be missed.
Maura’s and Darcy’s experience of Christine Brestrup’s professionalism and responsiveness is similar to mine.
One day she patiently explained to Tevis Kimball, the Jones Library’s emerita Curator of Special Collections, and me why plans for the Library’s demolition/expansion project should not pass muster with the Amherst Historical Commission: parts of the huge addition were clearly visible from Amity Street. I was new, then, to historic preservation. Chris was immensely helpful.
Chris, may you enjoy the fruitful retirement you richly deserve!
I’ve been in many meetings with Christine where she would correct a developer or an opponent with equanimity, was always well informed, plus informative, honest and fair, and reading the room with intelligence and compassion. I think she contributed a lot of sanity in Amherst’s divisive struggles. She will be hard to replace.
Hear, hear! Chris was more than a “breath of fresh air” when she took over leading the the Planning Department. Best wishes to her….
She has been such an a asset to the town! Chris is a careful listener and a considerate colleague. We met first looking over the new flood maps for the town of Amherst and the surrounding areas and then later in countless Zoom meetings. A much deserved retirement but a loss for the town of Amherst.
In all my interactions with her, Ms. Brestrup has been exceedingly professional. She will be sorely missed. Wishing her the best in her new future.