Overview
Lisa Thompson brings almost 20 years of local government experience to her urban and regional planning practice focusing on land use, permitting, and entitlement processes. Her extensive background working across five local municipalities in the Charlotte area sets her apart as an accomplished Planning Director and municipal management professional and positions her as a knowledgeable and trusted advisor for her clients.
Lisa navigates complex development challenges while fostering collaboration in community development. She successfully manages projects across all facets of planning, zoning, and development. With a deep understanding of North Carolina development laws and regulations, she has authored comprehensive plans, zoning regulations, subdivision ordinances, development agreements, and overlay districts, ensuring compliance.
She organized and led large town halls, community meetings, and neighborhood gatherings to encourage community engagement and outreach for significant development projects. She values building strong relationships among stakeholders, asking insightful questions, and providing valuable guidance throughout the development process.
In her role as staff liaison, Lisa collaborated with various municipal elected and appointed boards, including the Charlotte City Council, Planning Board, Historic Preservation Board, and transportation coordinating committee through the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization and other advisory bodies, facilitating informed and effective decision making. She adeptly guided and coordinated development project reviews through state agency reviews, working closely with organizations such as NCDEQ, North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), and County Water and Sewer authorities.
Lisa managed municipal operations and budgets, leading capital projects from property acquisition through to construction overseeing contracts and bids, and construction activities. She spearheaded initiatives to improve infrastructure and community services and developed policies and long-term plans to guide growth in alignment with community goals.
Notable
Notable
- Union County Weekly, 100 Most Powerful Women in Union County, NC, 2019-2024
Affiliations
Affiliations
- American Institute of Certified Planners
- American Planning Association
Capabilities
Education
B.A., and B.S., Urban and Regional Planning, Minor in Public Administration, Miami University, Oxford, 2006