Dan Garodnick, who has served as New York City’s top planning official for the past four years, is stepping down from his role — a move that comes after he didn’t land a senior post in Mayor Mamdani’s City Hall, the Daily News has learned.
Garodnick was first appointed by Mayor Adams in January 2022 as director of the Department of City Planning and chair of the City Planning Commission. In those posts, he has been widely credited with spearheading the Adams administration’s achievements on housing, including advancing the “City of Yes” plan and enacting several other rezonings that paved the way for the construction of tens of thousands of new apartments.
As previously reported by The News and other outlets, Garodnick, a former City Council member, was under consideration by Mamdani to become a deputy mayor, likely with a focus on housing and planning.
But Mamdani ultimately never moved to appoint Garodnick to a deputy mayor perch. On Thursday, the planning czar sent an email to his staff informing them he’s leaving city government.
“I do not take my departure lightly. I have deep affection for this agency, enormous pride in our work, and tremendous respect for all of you,” Gardonick wrote in the message, a copy of which was obtained by The News. “But after our four incredibly productive years together, the time is right for me to move on.”
Gardonick wrote his resignation isn’t effective immediately.
“I told the mayor that I will stay on for some time to support the transition, so I am not leaving right away,” he wrote, without providing a date for his departure. “I expect to have plenty of time for goodbyes, at least for now.”
Mamdani spokeswoman Dora Pekec confirmed Garodnick had informed the mayor of his decision, but did not provide any other immediate comment.
