Vancouver’s chief planner has departed suddenly from her position.

The city issued a brief statement saying that Theresa O’Donnell’s employment
has “concluded.” City officials have declined to discuss the reasons
for her departure.

O’Donnell became the fourth consecutive top Vancouver planner to leave
unexpectedly. She left after city council recently approved her team’s new
policy allowing up to six units on residential properties in the midst of a
chronic housing shortage.

The city promoted O’Donnell to top planner two years ago. She joined the
city in 2019 as deputy planner under former chief Gil Kelly after previously
working in Dallas.

“It has been a unique privilege to work with Theresa over the past four
years,” said City Manager Paul Mochrie in the statement.

Doug Smith, planning department’s acting general manager, will serve as
interim chief until O’Donnell’s permanent replacement is hired.