Despite her homespun manner -- or maybe because of it -- L.A.'s retiring planning director, Gail Goldberg, had a huge impact on planning in California.
It's not clear why Gail Goldberg is stepping down as L.A.'s planning director. Is she worn out? Did she tire of the endless budget-cutting, which has eviscerated her department more than anyone could have predicted only a couple of years ago? Did she clash with Deputy Mayor Austin Beutner, who was charged with reorganizing her department?
Who knows? But even for a planning director as skilled as Gail, Goldberg it's tough out there. In the end, San Diego has been unable to truly realize the "City of Villages" vision because of a lack of infrastructure money. And Los Angeles has been unable to realize the potential of a revived planning effort because of a budget meltdown that cost Gail her best senior people, who retired, and her most promising junior planners, who got laid off.
Thanks to Bill Fulton
FULL STORY: Thank You, Gail Goldberg
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