Madison’s director of planning, Katherine Cornwell, has announced to staff that she is leaving the city after three years, several sources say.
Her short tenure was marked by controversy. Along with her former boss, Steve Cover, who left Madison early last year, Cornwell was perceived by many as being deferential to developers at the expense of neighborhood interests.
Cornwell could not be reached for comment on Wednesday. In an email to her staff last week, she reportedly gave June 1 as her last day. She is said to be returning to Colorado, where she worked before moving here.
Ald. Ledell Zellers, who in the past has voiced concerns about the planning department, says she wishes Cornwell the best. She says that controversy over development tends to be limited to a few neighborhoods. “There are some locations that are wonderful for development, and [projects there] tend to sail through without a problem,” she says, referring to the East Washington Avenue area, which has seen a development boom in recent years.
“The right development in the right place went through smoothly and will continue to,” she adds. “But we need to be sensitive to the neighborhoods and retain the character of our city.”
Cover was replaced by Natalie Erdman as head of community, planning and economic development, a somewhat unwieldly title that covers everything from the city’s public housing and neighborhood centers to economic development and the approval of new construction, which is Cornwell’s division. Erdman also could not be reached for comment.
Ald. David Ahrens says that since Cover left last year, Cornwell seems to have been on the sidelines. “Since Cover resigned, [Cornwell] has not played a significant role in council meetings and committee meetings,” he says. “She became an increasingly rare presence, where before she was everywhere.”
“Whether it’s housing for the homeless on the west side or any other project, it seems to be either Natalie Erdman or more junior staff speaking at meetings,” he adds.
Erdman was hired from within the city. Zellers says the department is loaded with talented people who could step into Cornwell’s shoes. “I’d like to see some of those folks given serious consideration,” she says. “But it is sometimes a good thing to get people from the outside.”
