A city attorney has been tapped by Mayor Byron W. Brown to serve as Buffalo's planning chief.

In his role as executive director of the Office of Strategic Planning, Brendan R. Mehaffy will oversee the revamping of Buffalo's outdated zoning code. He also will play a key role in the mayor's planned overhaul of the city's economic development agencies.

He will be paid $82,257 a year.

In an interview with The Buffalo News Friday afternoon, Mehaffy said he believes his eight years in private and public practice as a lawyer focusing on environmental land-use issues, zoning and real estate will be an asset.

"With a legal background, I also understand the tools that are available to the City of Buffalo," he said.

Mehaffy, who has served as a city assistant corporation counsel for two years, said one of the major challenges in his new job will involve bringing "clarity" to a process that critics have long branded as fragmented and ineffective.

"There has been some confusion as to the roles of the [Office of Strategic Planning], and other [city development] agencies," said Mehaffy.

The post has been filled on an interim basis by Drew Eszak since 2008.

The city offered its top planning job to Buffalo native Michael R. Kimelberg a year ago, but the Seattle resident decided not to accept the position for personal reasons.

Brown said he appointed Mehaffy based on his knowledge and experience of land-use planning and project development.

"I'm excited that we found a person with Brendan's extensive experience and excellent qualifications who was already working within the framework of city government," he said in a written statement.

Mehaffy has degrees in economics, urban regional planning and law.

Most recently, Mehaffy served as the city's point man in negotiations with Erie County as Buffalo prepared to reclaim control of its parks system. His appointment does not require approval from the Common Council.

North representative Joseph Golombek Jr. praised Mehaffy's appointment.