The Planning Center, a leading multi-disciplinary consulting firm that specializes in planning and landscape architecture, recently opened the doors to a new office at 1270 E. Broadway Rd. in Tempe. Jessica Sarkissian, AICP, principal, will lead efforts at the new location.

“Our main office is in Tucson, but until the year 2000, we also had a physical location in Phoenix. In the last 16 years, we’ve continued to do work in the Valley from our Tucson office, but are eager to re-establish roots with this new location and serve the entire Valley,” said Linda Morales, AICP, CEO and principal of the Entitlements Division at The Planning Center.

In her role, Sarkissian will manage land development processes for clients in the public and private sector. She has extensive experience in rezoning, making general and comprehensive plan and text amendments, creating variances and use permits, reviewing design and site plans and reaching out the public. Sarkissian’s familiarity with small-scale residential, master-planned communities, multi-family, assisted living, commercial and industrial projects throughout Phoenix will greatly benefit the center.

“I am most excited to help grow the firm in the Phoenix market by focusing on relationship development with existing and prospective clients,” said Sarkissian.

Sarkissian has been part of many successful project teams and credits her success with engineers, architects and land use attorneys to her open communication and efficient practices. She currently sits on the City of Mesa Planning and Zoning Board and the Arizona Planning Association Board. She has formerly been a City of Mesa Board of Adjustment member as well as a Town of Gilbert Planning Commissioner and Zoning Hearing Officer.

Meet Morales, Sarkissian and other staff from The Planning Center on Nov. 30 at the new location’s open house from 4 to 7 p.m.