City of La Porte Announces Its New Director of Planning and Development

The City of La Porte is excited to welcome Ryan Hvitløk as our new Director of Planning and Development. With over 15 years of experience in city planning, economic development, and public engagement, Ryan is prepared to lead our city into a new era of growth and innovation.

Ryan previously served as the Assistant Director of Planning and Development Services for the City of Baytown, where he played a key role in updating the city’s development code. A development code is a set of rules that guide how land can be used in a city. It helps decide where homes, businesses, and parks can be built. Updating these rules makes it easier for new buildings and neighborhoods to be planned in a way that benefits everyone.

Throughout his career, Ryan has worked with communities of all sizes across the country. His experience will help bring new ideas and high-quality development to La Porte.

Ryan holds a master’s degree in urban and regional planning from Minnesota State University – Mankato and a bachelor’s degree in political science and sociology from Winthrop University. He has been a Certified Planner (AICP) since 2011 and a Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) since 2019. Outside of work, Ryan enjoys spending time with family in the Clear Lake area and exploring the Galveston Bay region.

As Director of Planning and Development, Ryan has outlined three primary goals for the city:

• Modernizing the Development Code: Update the city’s rules for land use and building projects to make them easier to understand and follow. This will encourage high-quality development.
• Digital Permits Transition: Move from paper applications to an online system for building and business permits. This will speed up approvals and make the process more convenient for residents and businesses.
• Improving the Department’s Service: To better serve the community, create a faster, more reliable process for reviewing development projects.

Reflecting on his vision for the City of La Porte, Ryan stated, “I’m honored to join the City of La Porte and excited about our commitment to modernizing our permitting process. Moving to an online system will streamline our operations, reduce wait times, and ultimately enhance service for our community. I look forward to working with my team to bring positive changes to help our residents and business partners thrive.”

The City of La Porte is confident that Ryan Hvitløk’s leadership will help shape a more efficient, vibrant and well-planned future for our community. For more information, visit the City of La Porte’s website or contact the Department of Planning and Development at 281-470-5057.