"Diane understands and supports my vision to remodel DCLU into more of a resource and not a roadblock for business, while protecting the quality of life in our neighborhoods," Nickels says.

Sugimura will direct the department responsible for land use and construction codes, housing and zoning enforcement, and urban design. DCLU has also recently acquired long-range physical planning duties, including sub-area planning, staffing the Seattle Planning Commission and responsibility for the City's Comprehensive Plan.

Sugimura has served as DCLU's acting director since early last year. She was previously DCLU deputy director for code and policy development, housing/zoning enforcement, and community relations.

Nickels praised Sugimura for her work as acting director to make changes he requested to make it easier to do business in Seattle:

-- Reduced wait time to file a permit from 4 weeks to 10 working days

-- Began work to reduce review time for small and simple construction permits from three weeks to 48 hours

-- Began work to reduce land use and construction permit review time by two months