Planning Director Rollin Stanley Resigns

Montgomery County Planning Director Rollin Stanley announced his resignation Thursday, reported Maryland Juice.

Stanley will leave his post in mid-May, The Gazette added.

"When asked about the matter, [Montgomery County] Planning Board member Casey Anderson stated simply: 'He got a fantastic offer. A much bigger job,'" Maryland Juice reported.

Anderson also gave Maryland Juice details on Stanley's new position, saying, "It is a major city that has grown rapidly and is expected to continue growing fast. They want to announce his hiring themselves next week."

A county planning department spokeswoman confirmed to The Gazette that Stanley is leaving for another professional opportunity.

Stanley is a nationally regarded He started his career in Toronto, and after two decades moved on to become the planning director of St. Louis for six years. Royce Hansen -- former chairman of the County Planning Board and a Montgomery Village resident -- recruited Stanley in 2008 to take over Montgomery's planning department, one of the largest in the nation. During his tenure, Stanley has been a steadfast proponent of "Smart Growth" planning, about which he writes on his blog. He was personally involved at the outset of Montgomery Village's Vision 2030 process, making a pair of visits last year, first to give , then for during which he advised Village leaders that "some things have to change and some things don't."

But Stanley came under fire last month for controversial statements he used to describe his detractors, .

In an interview with Bethesda Magazine, Stanley called some of his detractors "rich, white women" who spread fear about his initiatives. A group of activists asked him to publicly apologize.

Replacing Stanley will not be an easy task, said Montgomery County Councilwoman Nancy Floreen (D-At large) of Garrett Park, The Gazette reported.

"He's been a real visionary for the county," Floreen told The Gazette. "We need that kind of spirit and enthusiasm and new ideas to take Montgomery County forward. I wish the planning board luck in finding a replacement."

Read more about Stanley's resignation on The Gazette and on Maryland Juice.

What do you think of Stanley's decision to leave his post in Montgomery County? Where do you think he is headed? Tell us in the comments.