Madison Mayor Paul Soglin today announced the appointment of Katherine Cornwell as the City of Madison's Planning Division Director. Ms. Cornwell currently has a private strategic planning consulting practice that provides development programming, proforma and market analysis, sustainable development planning, zoning entitlement assistance and other services. In 2008 and 2009, Cornwell worked as a Sustainable Communities Strategic Advisor for the Seattle Department of Planning and Development. From 2000 to 2008, Cornwell worked as a senior and principal planner for the Denver Department of Community Planning and Development where she played a key role in Blueprint Denver, an integrated land use and transportation plan for the City of Denver. She also served as Project Manager and author of numerous corridor plans and studies, led related rezoning, and created Denver's first form-based zone district for Main Streets. Cornwell earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Colorado and was a candidate in a Master Degree program at the University of Louisville-Kentucky Institute for the Environment and Sustainable Development.

As Director of the Planning Division, Cornwell will lead efforts aimed at high quality and predictable planning and development in the City of Madison. The Division includes the City's comprehensive planning, neighborhood planning and development review process. The Division provides staff support for the Plan Commission, Urban Design Commission, Landmarks Commission, Long-Range Transportation Planning Committee, CitiARTS Commission, Ho-Chunk Nation/City of Madison Joint Planning Committee, and other standing and ad hoc committees.

Mayor Paul Soglin said, "I look forward to Katherine joining the City's management team in the Department of Planning & Community & Economic Development. Her planning work in Denver and proven ability to get things done will make her a great fit for the city of Madison."

The Common Council will vote on Cornwell's appointment at their April 30th meeting. She will begin work on June 9th.