{"id":28930,"date":"2016-08-02T17:51:51","date_gmt":"2016-08-03T00:51:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/?p=28930"},"modified":"2016-08-02T18:45:20","modified_gmt":"2016-08-03T01:45:20","slug":"release-city-appoints-gil-kelley-as-the-general-manager-planning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/2016\/08\/02\/release-city-appoints-gil-kelley-as-the-general-manager-planning\/","title":{"rendered":"RELEASE: City appoints Gil Kelley as the General Manager of Planning, Urban Design & Sustainability"},"content":{"rendered":"

City of Vancouver News Release<\/a>:<\/p>\n

“Gil\u2019s extensive experience in cities like San Francisco and Portland is highly valuable at a time when Vancouver is facing an affordability challenge like never before, and we are thrilled to have him join our team at City Hall.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u2014Mayor Robertson<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The City of Vancouver has \u00a0announced that Gil Kelley<\/a> will serve as Vancouver\u2019s new chief planner and general manager of the newly-created department of Planning, Urban Design, and Sustainability.<\/div>\n

\"GilGil has been appointed by City Council to fulfill statutory responsibilities of the director of planning under the Vancouver Charter and will lead the City\u2019s work on all city planning visioning, policy, urban design, and major development negotiations. He will be a voting member of the Development Permit Board and a member of the Corporate Management Team.<\/p>\n

The newly created department of Planning, Urban Design, and Sustainability will also have our Sustainability Group integrated within its mandate, which will support the effective implementation of our Greenest City Action Plan, Renewable City Strategy, and green building initiatives.<\/p>\n

A word from the mayor and city manager<\/h3>\n

\u201cVancouver is known throughout the world as a leader in urban planning and design, and being a sustainable, liveable, and inclusive city,\u201d said\u00a0Mayor Gregor Robertson. \u201cAs chief planner now responsible for Planning, Urban Design and Sustainability, Gil will help take Vancouver to the next level in becoming a greener, more affordable, and inclusive city.<\/strong> Gil\u2019s extensive experience in cities like San Francisco and Portland is highly valuable at a time when Vancouver is facing an affordability challenge like never before, and we are thrilled to have him join our team at City Hall.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cVancouver’s chief planner has long been one of most challenging and important positions in our city. Vancouver has a global reputation for world class urban planning,\u201d said City Manager Sadhu Johnston. \u201cGil will be charged with rejuvenating that legacy and ensuring that Vancouver is a livable, green, equitable, and more affordable community as we continue to grow and evolve. Gil\u2019s experience supporting affordability will be a great addition to the City\u2019s efforts to be a more affordable city.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n

What the chief planner will do<\/h2>\n

Gil assumes leadership of our efforts to address public policy issues related to land use and city planning. He\u00a0will be charged with charting a course for a proactive planning program for Vancouver, including:<\/p>\n