CITY DEFENDS PLANNING GURU
Calgary newly hired head planner dogged by controversial end to last post in U.S.
The city’s newly hired head planner is bringing with him big city experience, but also a bit of notoriety that has industry insiders buzzing.
Rollin Stanley, a municipal planner who has worked in Toronto, St. Louis, and most recently Montgomery County, Md., begins his Calgary job as general manager for planning, development and assessment in June.
Stanley recently resigned after controversial comments he made about critics of his planning ideas.
According to the Washington Post, Stanley was forced to retract comments printed in a Maryland magazine criticizing opponents to his vision for development as “rich white women” who were “sowing discord.”
The comments prompted calls for his resignation. A month later, he resigned from his post at Montgomery County.
However, Stanley was recruited for the Calgary job, and the timing of his resignation is said to be unrelated to the controversy, the Post reported.
City of Calgary city manager Owen Tobert acknowledges that Stanley comes to Calgary on the heels of the recent controversy, but says it’s water under the bridge.
“Rollin made some comments that were offensive to members of some of his stakeholder communities, and that is regrettable. He has accepted accountability and took swift measures to address the controversy, make amends and move forward. Rollin’s reputation for community building through cooperation and consensus is stellar and this lapse is not representative of his career,” Tobert said.
The city is calling Stanley “well-known” and a “visionary.”
Mayor Naheed Nenshi says the controversy shouldn’t eclipse Stanley’s talent.
“He’s a passionate guy and he’s excited about making change and I note that he immediately apologized, the apology was accepted and he continued to work with those people for some time. As far as I’m concerned, that’s that.
“We have to be passionate about planning in this city and about changes to planning in this city and I’m convinced that on balance his resume is very, very strong and he’s going to do really good work for Calgary.”
Industry insiders were abuzz after Monday’s Announcement, and many were intrigued by Stanley’s past and his outside point of view.
“I think it’s actually good. Someone with a bit of an edge is good to shake things up,” said Chris Ollenberger. executive vice-president of Opus Corp.
“Having a fresh look at the process and the approval time frames benefits everyone.”
Michael Flynn, executive director of Calgary’s Urban Development Institute, agrees.
“I do think it’s a positive thing they went out and got someone from the outside, I think that will bring in a fresh perspective. But it’s a very demanding role.”
Rollin’s big-city experience in strategic urban growth, department leadership, and community and stakeholder partnerships makes him a natural fit for the Calgary job, Tobert said.
Stanley was chosen after a lengthy international search to replace retiring general manager David Watson.
“I was impressed by the very high-calibre talent Calgary has attracted — a clear indication that Calgary is achieving success in our goal to be a magnet for global talent,” Tobert said.
“Among the experience that Rollin brings to the position is his commitment to sustainability, his drive to preserve what is really great and change what doesn’t work or needs improvement,” Tobert said.
Stanley was the director of planning and urban design in St. Louis from 2002 to 2008, rebuilding a challenged urban environment, leading to one of the biggest turnarounds of any American city.
He was a senior planner with the City of Toronto from 1981 to 2002, and a planning officer with Transport Canada (Toronto international airport) from 1981 to 1982.
Stanley, who was introduced to city council at Monday’s meeting, said he’s excited and encouraged.
“Calgary really now is a continental force and becoming a major player internationally. You start to think about who’s the competition, what are they doing? What should you be doing to try to attract folks to come here. That’s really cool,” Stanley said.
“There’s tremendous potential here. While I had other options, I don’t always go to a place just because it’s going to look good on a resume.
“I think the role myself and my wife, who is also in the same industry, can make here is really something that makes you feel like you’ve been a part of something.”
Stanley is Canadian, has a bachelor’s degree in urban and regional planning from Ryerson University in Toronto and is designated by the American Institute of Certified Planners and the American Planning Association.