As its neighbor to the north considers merging its planning department, San Diego is headed in the opposite direction. The departure of the city's Development Services Director clears the way for Mayor Bob Filner to reestablish a planning department.
"One of Mayor Bob Filner's first priorities when he took office, he said, was to separate the city's planning department and the development services department, which had been operating with a single director since a shakeup orchestrated under Filner's predecessor," writes Andrew Keatts.
The announcement last week that Development Services Director Kelly Broughton would be stepping down seems to signal that shift may be under way.
"Bringing city planning onto its own footing would help neighborhoods pursue big-picture, quality-of-life issues as they grow," says Keatts. "Development services, then, could revert to essentially just approving various permits."
"The new planning department, Filner said Thursday, will take a broader, more ambitious view of the neighborhood-level decisions city planners already make. He threw out 'the department of sustainable neighborhoods' as a possible new name. It would focus on problems facing small businesses, economic development, historic preservation, design guidelines, walkability and bikeability."
FULL STORY: Departure Clears the Way for Filner's Planning Vision
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Restoring Northern India’s Himalayan ‘Water Temples’
Thousands of centuries-old buildings protect the region’s natural springs and serve as community wells and gathering places.
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Bublr Bikes, one of the nation’s most successful, will add 500 new e-bikes to its system.
DC Extends Application Window for Outdoor Dining Permits
District restaurants will have until the end of November to apply, but businesses with permits in rush hour parking lanes must end operations on July 31.
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