Mr. Sammet holds a Master’s Degree in City and Regional Planning from the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University and is a licensed professional planner in the State of New Jersey, a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners and the American Planning Association. Mr. Sammet has also been accepted as a planning expert by the Superior Court. As an urban planner, he has had the opportunity to work within a variety of aspects of land development and redevelopment. Mr. Sammet’s experience includes working with and for special improvement districts, historic preservation commissions, planning boards, zoning boards and redevelopment entities.
As Town Planner for Westfield, New Jersey, Mr. Sammet is responsible for helping guide development of the community in a manner which supports community policy. Within Westfield, Mr. Sammet acts as the Board Planner for both the Planning Board, and Zoning Board of Adjustment, as well as, providing general planning services for the Town. In addition to the review of development applications, Mr. Sammet is involved with helping Westfield achieve its affordable housing goals and satisfying its affordable housing obligations, and preparing and updating local land use ordinances. He also supervises the Town Zoning Officer, Assistant Zoning Officer, and Planning and Zoning Board of Adjustment Secretary.
As Director of Planning and Redevelopment for the City of Asbury Park, New Jersey he facilitated and managed the various redevelopment projects occurring throughout the City, including the 56 acre waterfront redevelopment project. Mr. Sammet also prepared the City’s petition for plan endorsement to the State Planning Commission, resulting in Asbury Park becoming the first urban center designated in the State of New Jersey since adoption of the State Development and Redevelopment Plan. He has also drafted the award winning Springwood Avenue Redevelopment Plan, the first redevelopment plan written in the City by in-house staff.
While Assistant Planner in the Department of Planning and Community Development for Montclair, New Jersey, Mr. Sammet worked with the Montclair Historic Preservation Commission to create the township’s first locally designated historic district. His duties as Assistant Planner also included reviewing site plan, subdivision, and variance applications for the Township Planning Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment, and Historic Preservation Commission.
As Associate Planner in the Division of Planning and Community Development in Sullivan County, New York, Mr. Sammet played an integral part in the creation and operation of the Main Street Redevelopment Center, an award winning program whose goal was to improve the business climates within historic Catskill Mountain Communities.
Mr. Sammet has managed a number of award winning projects, and has been a featured speaker at meetings with various organizations.
Mr. Sammet also serves on the Redevelopment Committee of the NJ Chapter of the American Planning Association, and is a member of the Board of Directors of Downtown New Jersey, an organization dedicated to advocating for and improving the health of downtown commercial districts.