San Pablo City Manager Matt Rodriguez has officially appointed Allen Tai to serve as that city’s Community Development Director, according to a report in the Richmond Standard [1]. Tai has served as the City of Alameda’s Planning, Building, and Transportation Director since 2023 [2] and is expected to start his new position in San Pablo on May 1.
[3]Tai was involved in supporting local residents when a developer proposed demolishing the Harbor Bay Landing center along with its grocery store [4] to make way for a 300-unit housing complex. In a meeting with local residents, Tai noted that the City’s zoning for that area includes a 20,000 square foot grocery store, and that he had made that point clear when talking to the store owners. “You can’t just come in and say ‘no more grocery,’” he said. He noted that the needs of the community must be considered.
Prior to his service in Alameda, Tai spent more than seven years as an Environmental Program Supervisor/Manager and an Advance Planner/Project Manager for the City of San Jose. His career has spanned 25 years.
He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Policy and Development from the University of Southern California (USC), and a masters degree in Regional and Urban Planning from San Jose State University.
In San Pablo, Tai will oversee Building, Planning, and Residential Housing Inspection Services, according to a press release issued by the City of San Pablo. He will lead regulatory compliance with the California Department of Housing and Community Development and manage local housing programs.
“San Pablo is fortunate to have Allen Tai join our city organization,” said San Pablo City Manager Matt Rodriguez. “He brings extensive experience in advance housing, economic development and responsive public services serving in a culturally diverse and politically complex community in the Bay Area region.”
Rodriguez noted that Tai will add “a valuable dimension and perspective to the Community Development Department, and will bring a record of accomplishments, energies, and experience” to his new position.