The City of San Diego announced on April 11 the hiring of Heidi Vonblum as the City’s planning director. Vonblum brings more than 12 years of experience working for the City of San Diego, including as deputy planning director for the last two years.

“Heidi is a visionary leader who has developed innovative planning initiatives to meet the challenges facing San Diego both today and decades from now,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. “Her hard work and diligence have earned the trust and confidence of both City leadership and her team in the Planning Department, and I’m excited to continue working with her to meet our climate, housing and equity goals to improve the lives of all San Diegans.”

Vonblum and her team in the Planning Department were instrumental in developing the Homes for All of Us initiative that pulls together multiple statewide and City reforms aimed at making it easier to create new homes for all income levels throughout San Diego. Gloria signed into law the first piece of the Homes for All of Us initiative last month.

Another City program, Build Better SD, which was furthered under Vonblum’s leadership in the Planning Department, creates a new citywide fund for better and more equitable delivery of infrastructure improvements across San Diego.

“Providing homes and safe and enjoyable neighborhoods are so critical for our City’s growing population,” said Vonblum. “I am excited to continue to work with the Mayor and the entire Planning Department team to bring more homes to people in all communities, and to ensure that the infrastructure needed to support and improve the lives of all San Diegans is delivered efficiently and equitably.”

Vonblum started her career at the City in 2009 as a deputy city attorney in the San Diego City Attorney’s Office. There, she advised the mayor and City Council on planning and land use matters, including the development of the City’s first Climate Action Plan in 2015. Vonblum joined the Planning Department in 2018 and has been in the role of interim planning director since January. She was selected following a nationwide recruitment.

The City’s Planning Department is responsible for the long-term growth of San Diego.