Jeff Murphy. Photo courtesy of the city of Encinitas
Jeff Murphy. Photo courtesy of the city of Encinitas

Encinitas planning director Jeff Murphy has been hired by San Diego for the same position, Mayor Kevin Faulconer said Thursday.

Murphy has been with the North County coastal city for two years. Before that, he was a longtime planner for the county of San Diego, holding several leadership posts.

“Community planning is key to empowering our neighborhoods and bringing better infrastructure and opportunities to residents across San Diego,” Faulconer said. “I’m confident that Jeff Murphy’s experience will help our city continue to make great strides in providing affordable housing, protecting our environment and enhancing our city infrastructure.”

According to the mayor’s office, Murphy helped update the county’s Multiple Species Conservation Program and was instrumental in rebuilding efforts following the 2003 and 2007 wildfires. He also had a hand in developing county land use regulations for medical marijuana shops.

The native San Diegan also worked for the accounting firm KPMG.

Murphy replaces Bill Fulton, who resigned last summer to take a position with Rice University in Houston. Tom Tomlinson held the job on an interim basis.

— City News Service