The city admits the newly-named General Manager of Planning, Development and Assessments is controversial.  Rollin Stanley has been recruited  from Montgomery County, Maryland to replace outgoing GM David Watson.

Stanley is highly regarded as a visionary municipal planner known for a focus on development centred around mass transit nodes.  But citizen activists in Maryland were reportedly at odds with his push for denser, walkable transit-oriented communities and his brusque manner. 

The Washington Post reported Stanley was forced to issue a retraction a month ago after a Maryland magazine quoted him saying those who questioned his vision were "rich white women" who were "sowing discord." After calls for his resignation, the Post says Stanley issued a retraction and said he would enroll in conflict management classes.

At least one Montgomery County councillor says Stanley injected new blood into a stagnant planning environment. Calgary City manager Owen Tobert says Stanley will "reinvigorate the planning approval process and ignite implementation" of the Plan-It Calgary long range plans.

Stanley is expected to take up his Calgary post in June.