Why does the Township Need an Assistant Planner?

Hi All,
Well, I checked out the township website.....and found several job openings posted.  This one about an assistant planner caught my attention.  Visit the link for the other available positions:  bus driver and lifeguard.

WHY did the assistant planner position catch my attention?
For three reasons:
One, the skeleton of buildings on Telegraph Rd. north of Square Lake Rd. known as Bloomfield Park has been in the news this year appearing to be near the end of the long decade of failed plans and legal battles. Although the land was annexed to Pontiac, there is "chatter"  (and I have absolutely no facts)  that the land will somehow come back to the Township.  However, IF TRUE, would that mean the Township taxpayers would bear the costs to tear down and re-purpose the area?  Would that monumental task require the services of another "assistant planner" at the Township?  The Township leadership must have some kind of knowledge about what is going on there at Bloomfield Park....and most likely have taken part in conversations with others (investors/and/or other municipalities) about "what if's"......   when the legal battles are resolved.  There is taxpayer "chatter" or rumors or "I heard..." going on.  Does the township need to hire an assistant planner because of something in the future for Bloomfield Park?
One source of info:
Patch article from Aug. 30, 2012
Oakland Press article  from 1/28/12
Crain's article from 8/17/12

Two,  because the Township is currently involved with the City of Sylvan Lake  and they have a consolidation agreement as to their building department and assessing department as of July/Sept. of 2011.   Is this job posting looking for another hire needed by the Township to perform work in the City of Sylvan Lake?   (perhaps also do their planning department, not sure on this as info varies)  The township taxpayers were told back in 2011 that the existing personnel at the Township was able to absorb the City of Sylvan Lake work at no extra cost to the Bloomfield Township taxpayers.  I have seen no data to verify any savings or benefits to the township taxpayers.  The City of Sylvan Lake posted their savings through the agreement.Other sources of information/opinion on consolidation with the City of Sylvan Lake:
Winter Newsletter 2012, Leo Savoie Strategic Plan article
A Patch article:   7/26/11
The township minutes from 7/25/11
One of my earliest blogs from Sept. 2011

Three,  with only 26 sq. miles of land ...  (and that mostly being developed land as residential ) what else might be on the horizon for the Township that would require an assistant planner?
Don't know.

You hire for a reason.  
What is that reason for needing an assistant planner?

JOB AVAILABLE
Assistant Planner
Bloomfield Township Career Opportunity

Bloomfield Township, Michigan seeks a qualified candidate for the position of Assistant Planner

Under supervision of the Planning, Building & Ordinance Director, performs a wide variety of professional and technical duties requiring a thorough knowledge of current planning practices and local Township codes. Assists with routine planning activities including technical reviews of development and processing planning applications, and provides professional advice and information to the public on planning and zoning matters; and performs related work as required.

Qualifications: Possession of a B.A., or its equivalent, in Urban Planning or a closely related field with supplemented graduate coursework in Planning preferred. A minimum of 3 years of municipal planning experience in a complex office environment. Excellent written and oral communication skills are required. Proficient in Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Excel.

Salary is DOQ. Qualified candidates should forward a resume and salary requirements to Bloomfield Township, 4200 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302. Attention: Patti Voelker, Director of Planning, Building & Ordinance.

Response Deadline – Monday, October 29, 2012