Mayor Walsh Appoints Cristian Toellner to Director of Zoning

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh announced the appointment of Cristian Toellner to Director of Zoning Administration in the Department of Neighborhood and Business Development (NBD). Toellner will manage the City’s Office of Zoning Administration, which regulates land use and development in the city of Syracuse.

In this role, Toellner will be responsible for the implementation of a comprehensive planning, land development, and zoning regulation process in accordance with federal, state, and local laws. He will oversee zoning and planning projects by managing timelines and procedures for development plans and zoning applications and will assist with zoning amendments and legislation to help shape sustainable development and growth in the city. He is also responsible for conducting City Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, and related public meetings and hearings.

Toellner has worked for the City since July 2023. In his previous role as Plans Examiner II, Toellner helped lead the team in administering ReZone Syracuse, a multi-year initiative to update the City’s zoning laws.

“Cristian, who specializes in environmental and land use planning, has been instrumental in building a strong team in a new office,” said Jake Dishaw, Deputy Commissioner of Code Enforcement and Zoning Administration. “His knowledge and understanding of how the built environment impacts quality of life has helped us make positive changes to our zoning laws and will continue to drive innovation towards how we manage growth in the city.”

Toellner obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Geography from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University and holds a master’s degree in urban planning from the University at Buffalo.