Just because Jerry Knapp is retiring from his job with the city of Langley does not mean there won’t be a familiar face in his office anymore.

Knapp, who will retire as the city’s land use coordinator on March 31, has been the guy to talk to about where and how to build within city limits for the past 14 years. Starting in April, the person to talk to will be a former Langley resident, Pete Friedman. Friedman, a professional municipal planner who lives in Sisters, Ore., is moving back to the island for the job.

Even Knapp, who is retiring somewhat reluctantly, is impressed with his replacement.

“Langley’s going to be fortunate to get a person of Pete’s caliber in this job,” Knapp said Thursday. “He’s gonna do a fine job, I’m sure of that.”

Knapp said he is retiring for medical reasons.

“I intended to work until I was 65, but it just didn’t work out that way,” said Knapp.

Before he was hired by the city of Langley, Knapp was an assistant chief and chief in Langley’s volunteer fire department for 12 years. He also worked in real estate.

Friedman and his wife, Betsy, lived on Whidbey Island from 1990 to 2001. Friedman said this week he is looking forward to coming back.

“It’s nice going in knowing everyone,” Friedman said. “It’s a little like coming home.”

Friedman has had extensive contact with the city’s planning efforts in the past. At one time, he served on the Langley Planning Advisory Board.

The job description for the land use coordinator includes processing land use applications, reviewing issues for compliance with applicable laws and codes, analyzing development proposals, serving as a staff liaison to various city boards and commissions, and providing office support for the city’s Planning Advisory Board and Design Review Board. The land use coordinator also assists city planner Jack Lynch coordinate planning issues with other municipal departments and agencies, and assists in code enforcement activities.

Friedman comes to Langley with over 20 years of local government land use experience, according to Langley Mayor Lloyd Furman.

“I’ve done a lot of city planning,” Friedman said.

Friedman most recently worked for the city of Mill Creek as a senior planner. He has also worked in municipal planning in Olympia, Gig Harbor, and Thurston and Jefferson counties.

Friedman said he is looking forward to returning to Whidbey Island. He has family on the island and the land use coordinator position was too good pass up.

“This is a job I’ve always dreamed about,” he said.