Long rumored plans to merge L.A.'s Department of City Planning with Building and Safety to cut costs and streamline permitting are coming into focus, as the outgoing mayor tries to push through the reforms before he leaves office.
Apr 4, 2013 Los Angeles Downtown News
Efforts to reform L.A.'s permitting process are proceeding slower than many had hoped, reports Ryan Vaillancourt, and city leaders are looking to make more drastic changes. Could the city's planning department be consolidated as part of the effort?
Mar 6, 2013 Los Angeles Downtown News
Recently released plans for a possible new football stadium in downtown L.A. show how the city tends to react to developers rather than guide them, according to this criticism.
Dec 31, 2010 Los Angeles Times
With fewer staff members to cover the workload, L.A. is redefining planners' roles, including a change that will make planners more community-focused and less centralized.
Jun 27, 2010 The Planning Report
Petaluma, California, made headlines last year when it got rid of its planning department. <em>The Architect's Newspaper</em> takes a look at how the city is adapting to contract-based planning through hired consultants.
Jan 15, 2010 The Architect's Newspaper
With the layoff of City Planner John 'Rusty' Lewis, Natchez, Mississippi is left with only one employee in its planning department - and she retires next week.
Oct 6, 2009 The Natchez Democrat
A controversial proposal in the London borough of Barnet would create a fast track for developers who pay more for faster service. Critics say this would create an unfair, two-tiered system, where richer developers get more access to government.
Sep 2, 2009 The Architect's Journal
<p>Brooklyn architect Robert M. Scarano Jr. has crossed Brooklyn's zoning laws too many times, and the city is making the case to ban him from submitting any plans. In the worst case, he put two apartment buildings in a location greenlighted for one.</p>
Jun 16, 2008 The New York Times
<p>New Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker has followed through on campaign promises to begin an overhaul of the city's planning department, handing out a series of firings in an effort to revitalize and streamline the city's planning process.</p>
Mar 7, 2008 The Salt Lake Tribune
