Potts first hired to lead Monett community development charge

Touting 18 years experience, former St. Louis-area planner begins city efforts, made first official before Monett City Council Dec. 4
 
Doug Potts, who has close to 18 years of experience working in economic and community development in Missouri, has been hired as Monett’s first community development director.
“Doug brings vast experience to the City of Monett in both the areas of city planning and economic development,” said City Administrator Mickey Ary. “He has served with state and local agencies and municipalities. We are fortunate to have him on board.”
Potts has specialized in economic development, business attraction, strategic planning, entrepreneurship and civic best practices. He has worked in governance at the federal, state, County and local level as an economic developer and community development specialist, working with the St. Louis County Economic Council, WTC St. Louis, Mo. Department of Economic Development, Western St. Charles Chamber of Commerce, and the cities of Dardenne Prairie and Waynesville.
Potts received a BS in economics and an MBA in economics and international business from the Washington University in St. Louis. He is also a Community Development Institute professional community and economic developer, a NASBITE International Certified Global Business Professional, a Missouri Municipal League certified municipal official and a business retention and expansion coordinator with Business Retention and Expansion International.
In addition, he served as chairman of the University of Missouri’s Extension Council in Pulaski County from 2024 to 2025, is a current board member of the Missouri Municipal League’s economic development and human resources committee, and a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers.  
Potts made his first official appearance at the Monett City Council’s work session on Dec. 4. He explained the building code office wanted to change the Callan Addition in the city, east of 13th Street and south of the former Jumping-Jacks factory, now used by 3D Solutions and One Link, from industrial zoning to commercial use. Much of the addition developed before the city adopted zoning and originally permitted as non-conforming.
The entire addition, Potts noted, includes residential construction, commercial buildings, and industrial buildings, thus making it non-conforming to city standards. In practical terms, half the lots are set at industrial size and half at residential. If a house burns, the owner would not be able to change the larger lot size for rebuilding. Ary observed there are 47 incorrect uses within the addition. Andrew Miller with the building code office suggested there are many other non-conforming subdivisions in the city that also need to be addressed.
Potts said the office will take its concern to the Planning and Zoning Commission, which will develop a recommended change that will come back to the city council for action.
In his role as community development director, Potts plans to use strategic and urban planning to help modernize the city’s current and future land uses and improve the community’s attractiveness for new business development. He is also planning to develop new incentives for business development and will be overseeing the city’s current incentive structures.
In addition, Potts will also be working directly with the Southwest Missouri Council of Governments to develop the city’s long-term strategic plan and serve as the liaison for the city to various community stakeholder organizations.