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Aaron Aknin, AICPPrincipal, Good City CompanyAaron Aknin, AICP, is a Principal of Good City Company. Since forming Good City in 2019, Aaron has served as principal-in-charge in over 40 jurisdictions across Northern California, spanning planning, housing, economic development, and city management. Projects include the Harbor Industrial Area Specific Plan in Belmont, the Scotts Valley Town Center Specific Plan, the North Fair Oaks Community Plan Update, and the Pacifica Housing Element. He also led the entitlement process for a 1.1 million square foot development and public plaza in the Diridon Station area on behalf of Caltrain. Aaron advises client cities on state housing law implementation, including ministerial review, density bonus, and housing element programs.
Aaron brings more than two decades of Bay Area municipal and consulting experience, including executive roles in several Peninsula cities. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners, the American Planning Association, and the International City/County Management Association. He speaks frequently at regional and national conferences on development, downtown planning, affordable housing, and economic development. Aaron serves on the Redwood City Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the HIP Housing Board. Before Good City, Aaron was the Assistant City Manager and Community Development Director for the City of Redwood City, where he oversaw a 70 plus member department and served as Interim City Manager in 2015. During his tenure from 2014 to 2019, the City reviewed and processed over 4,000 new housing units and several million square feet of office space. Aaron led implementation of the Downtown Precise Plan, helped shape the first of its kind Partnership Redwood City community benefits program, and guided adoption of an inclusionary housing ordinance, an Airbnb affordable housing fee, renter protections, and the Citywide Transportation Plan. Prior to Redwood City, Aaron served as the Assistant and Interim Director of Planning and Community Environment for the City of Palo Alto from 2012 to 2014. He led the Planning and Transportation Divisions, formed the City's first Downtown Residential Permit Parking program, and led the downtown development cap process. Aaron began his career with the City of San Bruno in 2002 and spent his final five years there as Community Development Director. During that time, the Shops at Tanforan mall was renovated and over 1,500 residential units were constructed citywide. This included over 1,000 units at The Crossing, with 315 affordable units. The City also adopted its first General Plan in 25 years. Aaron served as Plan Section Chief during the PG&E pipeline explosion and worked closely with property owners in the aftermath of the disaster. Aaron grew up on the Peninsula and lives in San Carlos with his wife Cindy and their two kids. Project Experience Highlights
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