City dodges rumors of Weisbrod’s departure

The City Planning Commission is refusing to clarify whether or not 72-year-old chair Carl Weisbrod is considering stepping down from his post.

Rumors that Weisbrod, who also serves as director of the city’s Department of City Planning, will soon leave his role in Mayor Bill de Blasio’s administration have circulated for months.

But when asked about the rumors last week, a Department of City Planning spokesperson told Crain’s that Weisbrod plans to leave his position “someday.”

“Carl is immensely proud of what he and his team are achieving at City Planning, and there is still much important work to be done,” the spokesperson told Crain’s.

Weisbrod has reportedly grown frustrated after facing criticism from local stakeholders and community members regarding the de Blasio administration’s affordable housing agenda.

Having helped approve the mayor’s Mandatory Inclusionary Program and the rezoning of East New York, Weisbrod may see his legacy at City Planning as secure and consider it an opportune time to move on before de Blasio’s re-election campaign next year, according to sources.

But other sources have disputed the notion that Weisbrod would leave, Crain’s reports, with plenty still on his to-do list – including the rezoning of Midtown East and a number of other city neighborhoods. [Crain’s] – Rey Mashayehi