MAYOR BILL WHITE ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT OF PLANNING DIRECTOR ROBERT LITKE, PROMOTION OF DEPUTY DIRECTOR MARLENE GAFRICK
July 7, 2005 -- Mayor Bill White today announced the upcoming retirement of Robert Litke, director of the City's Planning and Development Department. Litke, who will retire at the end of August, has served as director for 10 years and has been with the department 14 years.
Marlene L. Gafrick, the Department's deputy director, will be named to succeed Litke.
" Bob Litke is highly respected and has served this community well during several administrations. He played a critical role in the Super Neighborhood Program in the Brown Administration and in rewriting the City's land development ordinance in the Lanier Administration," said Mayor White. "Marlene Gafrick has been a consummate professional as a City employee and has helped establish a new level of customer service to promote opportunities for economic development while protecting our neighborhoods in an earlier position as assistant director for development services."
"Houston has benefited from the professionalism and demeanor of Bob Litke. He can be proud of the foundation he's laid," said Dr. Carol Lewis, chair of the City's Planning Commission. "A true professional leaves his legacy not only in the work but also in the people. We see this displayed in Marlene Gafrick and are pleased she will lead Planning and Development through the next stages of Houston's growth."
"I forged a talented and committed team in the Planning Department that is dedicated to making life better for the citizens of Houston," added Litke.
As Planning Director, Litke initiated the Super Neighborhood Program to empower neighborhoods and the first major rewrite of Houston's land development ordinance known as Chapter 42 to create new rules for urban development.
Litke was instrumental in establishing ordinances to offer protection to neighborhoods and improve quality of life such as the historic preservation ordinance, hotel/motel ordinance, cellular tower ordinance and tree and shrub ordinance. He recently helped launch Stop Trashing Houston to improve neighborhoods through the reduction of heavy trash violations and illegal dumping.
Litke is planning to move to New Jersey to watch his grandchildren grow.
Gafrick has more than 25 years' experience in land development that includes ordinance development, implementation and enforcement, permitting and coordination with public agencies and special districts.
Gafrick formerly was assistant director of the Development Services Division of Planning. The Division was responsible for implementing Chapter 42, the Tree and Shrub, Parking, Historic Preservation, and several other ordinances that significantly affect Houston's growth and development. The Division also oversees the Major Thoroughfare and Freeway Plan that has been the guiding document for land development and transportation planning. Under her leadership the Division developed an Internet-based plat review and submittal systems - one of the first in the country.
Gafrick was promoted to deputy director last August. She was instrumental in the recent reorganization of the Planning and Development Department that brings all of the Planning functions together to strengthen neighborhoods and plan for anticipated growth in the City.
July 7, 2005 -- Mayor Bill White today announced the upcoming retirement of Robert Litke, director of the City's Planning and Development Department. Litke, who will retire at the end of August, has served as director for 10 years and has been with the department 14 years. 
Gafrick has more than 25 years' experience in land development that includes ordinance development, implementation and enforcement, permitting and coordination with public agencies and special districts.