The District of Squamish has an empty seat at the director of development services' desk.
After eight years with the municipality, Chris Bishop is moving down Highway 99 to the District of West Vancouver, where he will take on the role of manager of development planning.
Bishop joined the Squamish team as a planner in the fall of 2006. Before that, he worked with the Resort Municipality of Whistler for 11 years. As a West Van employee, Bishop has been hired to build and manage a newly formed team spearheading the municipality's development planning.
"This move to West Vancouver is exciting, but at the same time bittersweet as I have fond memories of my time here, the staff team at the district and the community building efforts the district has undertaken, both realized and ongoing," Bishop said in a statement.
Sarah McJannet, Squamish's acting director of planning, will oversee the department as the district looks to fill the permanent director's position. A temporary planning position will also be created to help manage the department's workload, officials said.
Bishop's expertise and community knowledge will be missed, said Linda Glenday, the district's general manager of development services and public works.
"While Chris will be missed, the future of the development industry in Squamish remains in good hands," she said.
Bishop's last day with the district was last Thursday (Feb. 13).
