Daniel McCarthy confirmed as Lawrence planning director; councillors cite need for continuity

The Lawrence City Council confirmed Daniel McCarthy as the city’s planning director on Feb. 4, 2025; the motion carried by voice vote.

Councilors said retaining McCarthy would maintain institutional memory amid recent staff changes. McCarthy told the council the director role formalizes work he has been doing for years: long‑range and comprehensive planning, coordinating transportation projects with the Metropolitan Planning Organization and MassDOT, and overseeing day‑to‑day land‑use review handled by planners in the office.

McCarthy said he previously served as an OPD director and then returned to a union position as a land‑use planner. He told the council the department will hire a junior planner from the current administrative staff to fill day‑to‑day duties, while he will continue to oversee comprehensive planning and major transportation projects. He noted four transportation projects are scheduled to begin next summer, including intersection projects, Amesbury Street reconstruction and a rail trail, and said he will seek additional staff capacity to support those efforts.

Councilor LaPlante and other members praised McCarthy’s knowledge of city projects and said continuity in planning leadership is critical for pursuing state transportation funds and keeping project pipelines ready for grant cycles. The council approved the appointment by voice vote and congratulated McCarthy on his confirmation.