City of Columbus
Department of Building and Zoning Services
757 Carolyn Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43224
Phone: 614-645-6090 Fax: 614-645-0333
Website: www.bzs.columbus.gov 

In May 2010, Mayor Michael B. Coleman appointed Tracie Davies as the Director of the newly created Department of Building and Zoning Services. The department - which includes building permits and licenses, plans examination, construction inspections, zoning, and engineering plan review - has more than 140 full-time employees and an operating budget of more than $19 million. Davies joined the City of Columbus in 2008 as an Assistant Director within the Department of Development to spearhead the Mayor's initiative of launching the new entity. Davies worked closely with the administration, the Building Services Review Committee and a consultant to facilitate the implementation of the new department and over 100 operational improvements. 

Davies has over ten years of municipal experience having served as the Director and Deputy Director of Public Service for the Cities of Marysville and Gahanna respectively. In those positions she facilitated more than $140 million in construction projects - including a water reclamation facility and a 1.4 billion gallon water reservoir. She also was responsible for Ohio Environmental Protection Agency compliance and advised elected officials on long-range infrastructure needs. 

In April 2006, Andrew S. Beard was appointed Chief Plans Official for the City of Columbus, responsible for organizing the co-location of the engineering plan review staffs from Public Utilities, Public Service, Recreation and Parks and the Fire Division.  Beard will also work on refining the processes for project development within the city.  

Beard is a civil engineer who received his Bachelor of Science from The Ohio State University.  He has served the city of Columbus in the Traffic Engineering and Parking Division, Operations Section, Transportation Division, and the One-Stop Shop review group.  

Chief Building Official Keith Wagenknecht, AIA, brings over 32 years of professional experience in architectural and related engineering activities, which includes 16 years of private sector experience and 17 years of public sector experience in the State Architect’s Office of Ohio where he served as Deputy State Architect for six years.  He joined the City of Columbus in October 2006 as the Chief Building Official. His diverse experience has served him well upon entry into the building code field. He is highly motivated and brings a positive “solution/results” mindset to the building process.

Wagenknecht holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree from The Ohio State University and has received many awards for his accomplishments with the State of Ohio, including the DAS Director's Platinum Pin Award and Governor Voinovich's All Star Award.

Chris Presutti came to the City of Columbus in 1991as a Community Relations Liaison with the Department of Human Services and after that joined the Planning Division of the Department of Development.

In 1995, Presutti joined the Regulation's Division of the Department of Development as a Planner, and in 1997 became a Development Program Manager overseeing rezoning and Council variance processes.

In 2002, Presutti was appointed to his present position as Chief Zoning Official managing zoning personnel and responsible for ensuring that all property and structures within the city comply with Columbus zoning code.