County Appoints Donohoe as New Planning Director
TL;DR: Chesterfield County has appointed Stephen Donohoe, the assistant planning director since 2021, to lead the Planning Department beginning in July 2026, replacing retiring director Andrew Gillies.
Quick facts
- Who: Stephen Donohoe, appointed Planning Director
- What: County appoints new Planning Director with 20+ years of planning experience
- When: July 2026 start date; appointment made June 2026
- Where: Chesterfield County Planning Department
The story
Chesterfield County has selected Stephen Donohoe as the new director of its Planning Department, effective July 2026. Donohoe, who has served as assistant planning director since February 2021, brings over two decades of planning experience to the role. He replaces Andrew Gillies, who is retiring after nearly nine years leading the department. Gillies' retirement is part of a larger transition in county leadership, with Economic Development Director Garrett Hart and County Administrator Joseph P. Casey also stepping down in 2026.
Donohoe's background spans northern and central Virginia, with more than 16 years at Prince William County, where he advanced to deputy planning director. He holds a bachelor's degree in Public and Urban Affairs from Virginia Tech and a master's in Public Administration from George Mason University, where he graduated from the county's Emerging Senior Leaders program in 2023. As assistant director, he oversaw development and zoning functions, including two major initiatives: ZoMOD, the county's comprehensive zoning ordinance rewrite that became effective January 1, 2026, and PlanMOD, the ongoing modernization of the county's land-use policies and comprehensive plan.
The appointment reflects the county's confidence in Donohoe's ability to manage the Planning Department during a significant period of growth management and policy development. Deputy County Administrator Jesse Smith praised Donohoe's fit for the role, noting his education, experience, and collaborative approach. The county is currently working on an aggressive timeline to complete the PlanMOD initiative by the end of 2026, a comprehensive overhaul of the county's land-use strategy that has been shaped by resident feedback requesting slower growth and more time for infrastructure and public facilities to keep pace with development.
Donohoe expressed his honor at the opportunity, saying he looks forward to serving in the role and continuing to build on the strong foundation already in place. His appointment signals continuity in planning leadership while maintaining the department's focus on modernizing the county's zoning and comprehensive plan to align with current community needs and state requirements.
Key players
- Stephen Donohoe: Newly appointed Director of Planning
- Andrew Gillies: Retiring Planning Director (9 years tenure)
- Jesse Smith: Deputy County Administrator
- Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors: Decision-making body overseeing appointment
Key dates
- July 2026: Stephen Donohoe begins as Planning Director
- December 2026: Target completion date for PlanMOD comprehensive plan modernization
- October 2026: Planning Commission expected public hearing and vote on draft comprehensive plan
The case for
Donohoe's 20+ years of planning experience and his five years already embedded in Chesterfield's planning operations provide continuity during a critical period of comprehensive plan modernization. His deep familiarity with county priorities, existing staff relationships, and ongoing initiatives like ZoMOD and PlanMOD means minimal transition time and sustained momentum on major projects. Internal promotion also signals career pathways for professional staff development.
The case against
Promoting internally, while offering continuity, may limit fresh perspectives from outside leadership that could challenge assumptions or introduce innovative approaches to planning challenges. An external candidate might have brought different expertise or new strategic vision, particularly as the county grapples with managing faster growth than many residents prefer and balancing infrastructure capacity with development pressure.
Why it matters: The Planning Director shapes where and how Chesterfield develops for years to come. Donohoe's leadership will directly influence decisions about residential density, commercial growth, infrastructure coordination, and the character of neighborhoods across the county. His appointment ensures experienced, continuous direction during the critical completion of the comprehensive plan modernization that will guide development and public investment through the next decade.
Places
Development timeline
- February 2021Stephen Donohoe becomes Assistant Planning Director: Donohoe joins Chesterfield County Planning Department as assistant director, beginning five-year tenure in the role [[source]](https://www.chesterfield.gov/858/Planning)
- January 1, 2026New Zoning Ordinance (ZOMod) becomes effective: Chesterfield's comprehensive zoning ordinance modernization takes effect, with Donohoe as assistant director overseeing implementation [[source]](https://www.chesterfield.gov/5102/Zoning-Ordinance-Modernization-Project)
- June 2026Stephen Donohoe appointed Planning Director: County selects Donohoe as new director of Planning Department, replacing retiring Andrew Gillies [[source]](https://www.chesterfield.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?aid=7355)
- July 2026Donohoe assumes Planning Director role: Stephen Donohoe officially begins as director, leading Planning Department into new era under comprehensive plan modernization [[source]](https://www.chesterfield.gov/858/Planning)
Related links
- Planning Department
- Comprehensive Plan Modernization Project (PlanMod)
- Zoning Ordinance Modernization Project (ZOMod)
- County Civic Alerts
Read the original at Chesterfield County News →
Sources
- County Civic Alert: Steve Donohoe Appointed Planning Director
- Planning Department
- Comprehensive Plan Modernization (PlanMod) Project
- Zoning Ordinance Modernization (ZOMod) Project
- With planning director and EDA head set to retire, Chesterfield now has 3 big roles to fill