FARMINGTON ó Wilf Sommerkorn may have to draw upon his years of experience in community planning when he takes over as Salt Lake Cityís planning director. ##M:MORE##

The director of Davis Countyís community and economic development since 1994, Sommerkorn was lured away from the position by Salt Lake Cityís Mayor Ralph Becker and will begin his duties with the capital cityís beleaguered planning department on Aug. 25.

The decision to leave Davis County wasnít easy for Sommerkorn. ìitís been really hard. In talking to everyone (in Davis County Government), itís been really tough to make the decision,î he said.

Sommerkorn has worked for different entities in Davis County through his 27-year career, along the way championing the Legacy Highway, Hill Air Force Base and the Davis County Conference Center, and working with county officials and mayors throughout the Davis Council of Governments on issues which will affect Davis County residents wherever they live, including land use and zoning issues.

Sommerkorn said that Ted Wilson, who served as Salt Lake City mayor and later at the University of Utahís Hinckley Institute of Politics said he left that post because plants have to be re-potted every now and again. ìI kind of feel like that. Iíve done a lot of things, and itís time to do something different.î

ìWilf Sommerkorn brings the expertise, experience and well-deserved respect from planners in Utah and nationally,î Becker said in making the announcement. ìHe's always thinking about applying the best, most innovative practices.î

While Sommerkorn will inherit a planning department labeled ìdysfunctionalî in an audit by CityGate Associates, he is looking forward to the position, saying, ìIíve read the audit, and Iíve talked to the folks in the department. Itís a professional place which has the support of Mayor Becker and the city council. Planning is a top priority, and they have some really good people there.î

Sommerkorn is a graduate of the University of Utah with a masterís degree in science planning from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.

He replaces George Shaw who was fired by Becker in March.

Sommerkorn has been active in professional planning organizations, including the American Planning Association, Urban Land Institute, Utah Economic Development Alliance and the Alliance for Regional Stewardship.



mwilliams@davisclipper.com