Carl Weisbrod, Head of NYC Planning, Stepping Down

Carl Weisbrod will step down from his position at the head of the Department of City Planning in New York at the end of the month, and the de Blasio Administration has already identified his successor.

1 minute read

January 5, 2017, 11:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Charles V. Bagli reports that Carl Weisbrod will step down from his roles as planning commissioner and planning director for the city of New York.

"In one of his finals acts…Carl Weisbrod, formally announced on Tuesday that a proposal to rezone a 78-block area of Midtown East near the terminal was ready for public review, calling it a 'gem,'" writes Bagli.

Weisbrod came into the role in February 2014, and since then has participated in several high profile planning efforts in the city. According to Baglin, "[t]he government career of Mr. Weisbrod… spans the redevelopment of Times Square, the rebuilding of the World Trade Center after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and, under Mr. de Blasio, a major overhaul of the city’s zoning code." The article includes more details of the life and career of Weisbrod, who other than committing to serve as the chairman of the Trust for Governors Island, has declined to discuss his future plans.

Bagli also reports that Marisa Lago, "currently an assistant secretary for international markets and development at the Treasury," will take over leadership of the New York Department of City Planning in March.

Thursday, January 5, 2017 in The New York Times

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

High-rise apartment buildings in Waikiki, Hawaii with steep green mountains in background.

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.

April 6, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 10, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

A line of white wind turbines surrounded by wheat and soybean fields with a cloudy blue sky in the background.

Wind Energy on the Rise Despite Federal Policy Reversal

The Trump administration is revoking federal support for renewable energy, but demand for new projects continues unabated.

April 15 - Fast Company

Red and white Caltrain train.

Passengers Flock to Caltrain After Electrification

The new electric trains are running faster and more reliably, leading to strong ridership growth on the Bay Area rail system.

April 15 - Office of Governor Gavin Newsom

View up at brick Catholic church towers and modern high-rise buildings.

Texas Churches Rally Behind ‘Yes in God’s Back Yard’ Legislation

Religious leaders want the state to reduce zoning regulations to streamline leasing church-owned land to housing developers.

April 15 - NBC Dallas