The City of Vancouver has confirmed that Brent Toderian will be leaving his position as planning director.

City council endorsed Toderian's dismissal today (January 31) during an in-camera meeting, after the move was recommended by city manager Penny Ballem.

Mayor Gregor Robertson told reporters that city council "felt this was a good time for change of leadership".

"We’re obviously looking at time for new leadership, the big priorities for council being housing affordability and looking at economic development integrated into planning," said Robertson.

An international search will be conducted for a new director of planning, he said.

A statement released by the city today cited various strategies that are being undertaken to "balance the competing demands" of housing affordability, economic development, citizen engagement and sustainability.

Robertson noted the city is embarking on planning processes for four different neighbourhoods in the city.

"It’s quite a revolution in how the city’s dealing with neighbourhoods going forward," he said. "It’s also paramount that we get affordable housing built, which is going to be challenging with that neighbourhood engagement in play."

"I think Brent’s worked really hard to strike that balance, as have planners before," he continued. "It’s a particularly difficult challenge going forward, and I think this is a good time for new leadership."

Toderian, who oversaw policies including the city’s eco-density initiative, the Cambie Corridor strategy, and the laneway housing program, has been the city’s planning director for six years.

He will receive a one-year salary severance payment of about $200,000.