An ISU alumnus and former Ames resident has been hired as the new director for the Ames Department of Planning and Housing.

Matthew Flynn, a 1980 graduate of Iowa State in community and regional planning, will take over as the department’s director April 19. Flynn is currently the manager of planning in Champaign, Ill., and has previously worked in the Quad Cities area, Green Bay, Wis., and Wyoming, Mich.

One of Flynn’s first goals in his new position will be to get to know the people of Ames. He said he believes it’s important to become familiar with the staff he’ll be working with — the Ames City Council, Ames residents and the development community, as well as ISU administrators and student leaders.

“One of the most important things a planner can do is listen to what the community wants their city to be,” Flynn said.

Getting to know the people of Ames will be the best way to accomplish that, he said.

Flynn’s responsibilities as the new director will be foreseeing all planning issues, which include current planning, long-range development plans and housing programs. Current planning responsibilities include approving specific site plans, zoning permits and the development of the administration’s Land Use Policy Plan.

A particular issue Flynn believes he will be dealing with is the plans for a new regional mall.

“My department will have a major role with developers and the community to make the best decisions they can regarding the mall,” Flynn said.

He said he may be a part of recommending how new funds from the Community Development Block Grant fund will be allocated. These funds are given to a city when its population exceeds 50,000; Ames’ population recently went over that mark.

Flynn said his education at Iowa State, his familiarity with Ames and his experience working in a college city will all be helpful in his new position. He said Ames has some of the same issues as Champaign, including a growing university and an expanding Campustown.

Ames City Manager Steve Schainker said he was looking for someone with extensive planning experience. Schainker said Flynn’s previous jobs make him highly qualified for the job. Flynn also has other qualifications that make him right for his new position, including supervisory experience and work in a university-based city.

“He works in a university city right now, much like Ames, which gives him good experience with some of the issues we might have in Ames,” Schainker said.

One of these specific issues may be enforcing the over-occupancy ordinance that was approved by the Ames City Council in October 2002. The Ames City Housing Code dictates that no more than three unrelated people can live together.

“I’m sure he has dealt with an issue like this in Champaign. With his experience, he can offer new insights and bring his own perspectives regarding issues that directly affect students,” Schainker said.

Flynn will be filling the position left vacant by former director Brian O’Connell. O’Connell resigned from his position in July.