An eye for detail with an eye on the future is what WithersRavenel’s new planning expert brings to the company.
Brendie Vega, AICP, is the Director of Planning, working out of the Raleigh office. She comes to the firm from the Town of Wake Forest, where she worked as the assistant planning director for two and a half years. Prior to that, she was the principal planner for 11 years for the Town of Apex.
Vega’s familiarity with municipalities in Wake County will be a valuable asset in her role. Much of her work at WithersRavenel will involve rezoning and entitlements, along with long-range planning, master planning and ordinance writing.
One memorable project she worked on in Apex is Veridea, a 1,000-acre sustainable district planned for the town. The new, green district was designed to have specific environmental standards, including the use of green roofs and reclaimed water to promote long-lasting development. The project may never be built due to ongoing litigation, but Vega cites Veridea as a great learning experience.
Vega’s passion for planning was nurtured at the University of Michigan, where she earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees. “I have a love for cities and the built environment,” she said.
In her personal time, Vega enjoys watching her alma mater’s football games. She also likes to explore the many parks and breweries in the Triangle and across the state. “I’m fond of stouts and porters, but on a hot day I like a good pilsner,” she said. Vega has a daughter in her senior year at Vernon Malone College and Career Academy in Raleigh, along with a rescue dog and rescue cat.
A certified planner (AICP) since 2006, Vega hopes to receive her Congress for the New Urbanism – Accredited (CUN-A) designation in the next year.
Be sure to stop by the Raleigh office and give Brendie a warm welcome!