Perris Straughter is the Director of Planning &; Land Use for the New York City Council,

responsible for managing a staff of over 20 planners, attorneys and other staff in administering the City Council’s land use powers and conducting various planning efforts across the city. Perris and his staff provide support to 51 Council Members and their staff and regularly work with the Mayor’s Office and various city agencies. Previously Perris was the Assistant Commissioner for Planning & Predevelopment for NYC’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development. In that role he oversaw seven teams and 30 staff charged with leading the planning, predevelopment and resiliency work for affordable housing development on publicly owned land including the issuance of RFPs. Before coming to New York he was Supervising Planner in the City of Newark, NJ, where he coordinated planning and zoning approvals processes for the City. He helped lead the comprehensive overhaul of Newark’s zoning code and master plan. During his tenure in Newark he also led the Newark Public Art Program. Perris also served as Chairperson of Newark's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) Advisory Commission. Perris has a Master’s in Public Affairs and Urban and Regional Planning from Princeton University. He is originally from Southern California.