Who is on the Land Use Team?
Liz Hertz, Program Director Ruta Dzenis, Senior Planner Ruta supports the municipalities served by the Southern Maine Regional Planning Commission, Greater Portland Council of Governments, Mid-Coast Council for Business Development and Planning, and the Mid-Coast Regional Planning Commission. She is the team’s primary contact to the Maine State Housing Authority, Department of Economic and Community Development and regional councils’ technical assistance coordinators. Ruta’s background includes community based planning, economic development, and waterfront planning and design. Prior to joining the land use team, she served as project director for planning, design, and construction of Erie Canal Harbor in downtown Buffalo. Ruta is a certified planner through the American Planning Association and holds a master’s degree in city and regional planning from Pratt Institute. Phil Carey, Senior Planner Phil joined the team in 2005. Phil was a planner with the Town of Brunswick for the last 15