The City of San Francisco is gearing up for a significant leadership transition in its planning department following the departure of Anne Marie Rogers, who has accepted a new role as deputy director at Treasure Island. During a recent government meeting, Commissioner Imperial emphasized the importance of filling the citywide planning director position thoughtfully, highlighting the need for diversity in leadership, particularly advocating for candidates of color.

Director Hillis acknowledged the critical nature of this hiring process, expressing a commitment to involve both staff and commissioners in developing the job description and reviewing applicants. "It's a huge position that we need to be thoughtful in filling," he stated, underscoring the collaborative approach to ensure a diverse candidate pool.

In addition to Rogers' departure, the meeting also noted that Claudia Flores is leaving her role to take a promotion with the Office of Racial Equity. Hillis invited both Rogers and Flores to return for a future meeting to be recognized for their contributions, reinforcing the department's commitment to acknowledging the efforts of its staff.

The meeting also touched on ongoing initiatives by the Urban Land Institute (ULI), which is working with city leaders to address challenges such as filling vacant office spaces and activating commercial areas. ULI is expected to present initial findings to the mayor's office, with a formal report to follow, providing further insights into the city's planning and development strategies.

As San Francisco navigates these leadership changes, the focus remains on fostering an inclusive and effective planning department that can address the city's evolving needs.