by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino
Deputy Planning Director Craig Chandler has left the City of Sanibel to become the Planning & Zoning Director for the City of University City, Missouri, a “streetcar suburb” of St. Louis with a population of approximately 35,000 people.
Chandler worked for the city for 12 years, starting in 2014 as a Planner, and served as the Deputy Planning Director for the past three years. It has been the only job he’s known.
“At the time, I was 24 years old,” said Chandler, who was a recent college graduate when he was hired by the city. “Sanibel is the only job I’ve known. In that sense, I feel like I’ve grown up here professionally. This is where I’ve spent my formative years as a young planner.”
But he says Sanibel means more to him than simply a place to work. He has called the island home for the past eight years and has made lasting friendships through groups like the Young Professionals Association and activities like softball at the recreation fields. Chandler says he will always have fond memories of his time on our sanctuary island.
“The community events (Beer in the Bushes, especially), walks through Pond Apple Trail, and spontaneous encounters with wildlife,” he said, are some of the things he will remember and miss.
“Most importantly,” he added, “it’s where I adopted two of our cats and where I met my lovely girlfriend. I owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Sanibel, and that will never change.”
Planning Director Paula McMichael said she first met Chandler soon after he started working for the city over a decade ago at a holiday social for a professional organization of which they were both members.
“He knew I had worked for the City and proceeded to bend my ear about all things Sanibel,” she said. “I was left with the impression that he was passionate about planning and committed to the community he was serving. A pretty spot-on first impression, I think!”
At the February 24, 2026, Planning Commission meeting, McMichael issued this “stop work” order to Chandler for:
Recognition and appreciation of his 12 years of service as a member of the Planning Department to the citizens of the Cty of Sanibel, including three years as Deputy Director, for his countless hours of support to colleagues, fellow residents, and friends at the City of Sanibel. Craig is hereby enjoined from providing any staff recommendation, drafting any code amendment, proposing any transportation improvement, or opining on compliance with the Sanibel Plan.
“Craig has been instrumental to the work the department has done post-Hurricane Ian. He will be missed, but we wish him all the best in this new chapter,” McMichael concluded.
Leave a Comment