Gail Goldberg, who hoped to bring high-density, transit-oriented development to Los Angeles but was accused of being too friendly to builders, has resigned as the city's top planner, leaving a key vacancy. The Weekly is reaching out to people all over the city to get their ideas about the type of person who should replace Goldberg, and what vision that person should bring to Los Angeles and its future. If you have your own ideas, Email us.

So far we've heard from Damien Newton of Streetsblog LA.

This time, Jay Handal, West L.A. Neighborhood Council chairman, weighs in, and he's pessimistic.

Handal: Sadly, any new person brought into the Planning Department shall be constrained by their boss, the mayor, so it really does not matter.

Until the city decides to join planning and transportation together, to stop allowing variances that violate the existing community plans, and to begin changing the trip schedule the Department of Transportation uses for new projects, we might as well not have a planning director, because there are really no rules to follow and no political will to change things for the better.

Ouch.

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.