InTucker Magazine

Team Tucker – Kylie Thomas

How did you decide to come work in Tucker?
Tucker is where my husband and I bought our first home when we got married. I immediately fell in love with the character and charm of the City and always said, if ever given the opportunity, I would work for Tucker.

What is your background in Planning and Zoning?
I graduated from the University of Alabama (ROLL TIDE!) with a degree in Urban and Regional Planning and a minor in Geographic Information Systems. After graduation, I moved to Atlanta and have worked in a few local jurisdictions throughout metro Atlanta ever since.

What does a Planner do?
Planners help to determine the best way to use a city’s land through short and long-term goals. Planners have the unfortunate job of having to tell people the rules they must follow before they are allowed to build a shed, cut down a tree or install a fence on their private property. However, planners also help to create a vision for the community and design an environment that creates a sense of place for our residents.

Why is Planning and Zoning important in a city?
Planning and Zoning is important because it helps to protect property values by keeping incompatible or unsuitable uses away from your property, or requiring buffers and screening when incompatible uses are located next to each other. Planning and Zoning also establishes limitations such as height standards, building setbacks, and square footage requirements, which keep buildings from being built too close to a neighbor’s property.

What makes Tucker unique from a Planning and Zoning perspective?
Tucker is unique because the City has been around since the 1800’s, but didn’t incorporate until 2016. So while there is a ton of history here, Tucker is also so young and I frequently run across something I’ve never experienced before in my career as a Planner. Also, Tucker’s downtown is a City Planner’s dream! Downtowns are the heart of a city and most cities have to design, create, and buildout what Tucker already has. 

Off The Wall

How would co-workers describe you in three words?
Exuberant, rule-follower and detail-oriented.

What’s the last movie you saw?
“Top Gun”, an oldie but goodie. I have an unrealistic fear of going to movie theaters and much prefer to watch movies at my home.

What is one thing you’ve always wanted to do, but never had the chance?
I’ve been really blessed to be able to experience a lot in my life and don’t have a bucket list. For me, a bucket list would make me feel as though I am unsatisfied with my life. 

What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done?
I’m not much of a risk taker. I actually prefer to always be prepared and take as few risks as possible. I would say going to college out of state (I’m from Kentucky) is probably the craziest thing I’ve ever done.