Dude, you have no idea what you’re talking about.

A few years ago, the planning director made a presentation at council about putting in sidewalks and bike lanes. The citizens freaked out and all complained to Council that the city would be invaded by the homeless if it were made more pedestrian and bicycle friendly or had bus stops.

2 weeks later, that planning director was fired.

Planners don’t actually get to plan cities. We implement comprehensive plans set by council, write code amendments when instructed to by council, review development plans for compliance with code, and enforce code.

My small department also handles building permits and inspections, oversees civil engineering (our actual engineers are third-party), and manages public works projects.

Pretty much no city planners actually make policy. The “planning” we do is pretty much scheduling the work that’s already been approved.

What about the comprehensive plan updates? We don’t really get involved with that because we’re too busy with everything else. When comp plan season comes around, cities hire outside firms to help them develop the plan.