Con Howe, the longtime city planning director who oversaw major civic improvements to the downtown area and Playa Vista, will retire next year, Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn announced.

Howe, who guided major projects like the Staples Center and Playa Vista through the planning process, will remain in his post until a successor is found. Hahn said he will conduct a national search.

Howe, 55, came to Los Angeles in 1992 after five years as planning director for New York City. He helped the Riordan administration guide recovery efforts after the 1992 riots and directed planning work on major projects like the overhaul of Union Station and the Staples Center. He also oversaw planning for both phases of the highly controversial Playa Vista project on L.A.’s Westside.

Howe completed the first overhaul of the city’s general plan in 20 years, a controversial process that drew criticism from slow-growth advocates. After voters passed charter reform in 1999, Howe also was responsible for the creation of seven area planning commissions in Los Angeles.

More recently, Howe has pushed for and implemented ordinances allowing mixed-use projects in commercial zones, the “adaptive reuse” of old commercial buildings downtown and an affordable housing density bonus program.