City Manager Michael J. Beck announces that Vince Bertoni has been appointed as the new director of the Pasadena Planning Department effective Feb. 28. 

Over the past two years Bertoni has overseen and managed the planning operations of the Los Angeles Department of City Planning, including community planning, historic resources, urban design, environmental review, zoning, code studies, expedited processing and public counters. 

During his tenure in Los Angeles, 16 historic preservation overlay zones were adopted, new guidelines for the Broadway Historic District were instituted, innovative downtown street standards were enacted, a bicycle master plan was drafted and a new community plan for Hollywood was created. He streamlined operations in the department due to budgetary cutbacks and re-engineered the internal culture. 




“Vince Bertoni has a strong background in development and a reputation as an excellent manager who is sensitive to community issues,” said Beck. 

Bertoni served as director of community development in Beverly Hills from 2007 to 2008, interim director of planning and building services in Santa Clarita from 2003 to 2004 and interim planning director in Malibu from 1996 to 1997. His career has also included work as a city planner and principal of a planning consulting firm. 

He is co-chair of the 2012 American Planning Association national conference and a member of the California Planning Roundtable. 

Bertoni earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in transportation and urban geography from San Diego State University in 1988. 

He and his partner, architect and landscape architect Damon Hein, are long-time residents of the historic Windsor Square District of Los Angeles, which Bertoni helped establish. 

The Pasadena Planning Department has a $13 million budget and 73 employees. It includes community planning services, design and historic preservation, zoning, arts and cultural affairs, and green city programs. 

Assistant City Manager Steve Mermell has served as acting planning director for the past year.