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City Manager Weldon Rucker has asked Deputy City Manager Phil Kamlarz to run the city’s troubled Planning Department temporarily. 

Kamlarz is a 27-year veteran of Berkeley city government and has a reputation for being well liked. He will serve as interim director until another, long-term interim director can be found. Rucker said Kamlarz, who has no planning background, will focus on reorganizing the department and establishing better coordination and communication with other city departments and the various commissions that consider land use issues. 

“Phil has a tremendous presence and depth of experience that will help us cross the bridge to a new permanent director,” Rucker said. “He will help the organization become more systematic and improve how staff works with commissioners.” 

The Planning Department contains numerous subdivisions including the offices of current planning, advance planning, toxics management and building and safety.  

Kamlarz said he expects to hold the post for at least a month. 

“Personally it will be a challenge for me,” he said. “Now, I’m spending a lot of time learning about land use issues that are currently in the forefront. The city manager wants a smooth hand-off to a new interim director, so the game plan is to make that transition as smooth as possible.” 

Kamlarz, who has already begun to meet with planning staff, will take over from Director Carol Barrett, whose resignation takes effect June 6. After less than two years, Barrett announced on April 28 her intention to leave for a job in the city of San Marcos, Texas, her home state. 

Barrett, the third director in five years to resign abruptly, listed among her reasons for leaving a strained relationship with the Planning Commission, which develops planning policy and makes zoning ordinance recommendations to the City Council. Commission members frequently fight among themselves and clash with city staff over competing visions of the city’s future urbanscape, such as with the ongoing battle over the South Berkeley Plan and the recurrent strife over the West Berkeley Plan. 

Rucker said the job of planning director is tough and that Barrett left a positive mark on the city during her tenure. “She did a great job of recruiting new staff and established an excellent method of evaluating existing staff,” he said.  

Rucker said he’s been troubled by high turnover of not only planning directors, but also planning staff. He said Kamlarz has the experience to bring a much-needed stability to the department.  

Kamlarz said he is planning to meet with the Landmarks Preservation Commission and the Planning Commission to establish a better working relationship. “It’s no secret that there has been conflict between staff and the commissioners,” he said. “It’s fine to disagree just so long as there’s a respectful discussion going on.” 

Several commissioners welcomed news of Kamlarz’s appointment.  

“I am very pleased the city manager is doing what he can to facilitate a smooth transition,” said Planning Commission Chair Zelda Bronstein. “I am looking forward to working with Phil.” 

Commissioner Susan Wengraf said the Planning Department urgently needs Kamlarz’s guidance regarding budget cuts and staff morale. “Phil knows all the players, he’s a good administrator, a good boss, and he’s up to the task,” she said. 

Commissioner John Curl said he has had little personal experience with Kamlarz, but is looking forward to working with him based on his reputation.  

“I’ve only ever heard good things about him,” Curl said. “I hear he’s competent and I’m glad to hear we have somebody who has a good track record.”