Number
200412
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
THE CHAIR
Title
Resolution thanking Vanessa Koster and congratulating her on her appointment to Deputy Commissioner of the Department of City Development.
Body
Whereas, Vanessa Koster began working in the Planning Division of the Department of City Development as an Associate Planner on June 22, 1998; and
Whereas, Vanessa’s exceptional performance and leadership were recognized through a series of promotions within the Planning Division, including Vanessa’s appointment to City Planning Manager on January 1, 2009; and
Whereas, During her time working in the Planning Division, Vanessa managed numerous projects that resulted in significant new developments within the City of Milwaukee that improved City neighborhoods, incorporated high-quality design, added new jobs and homes, and grew the tax base; and
Whereas, Those projects included major redevelopment planning and urban design review in the Park East, Arena District, and Beerline B areas, as well as projects in all neighborhoods throughout the City; and
Whereas, While serving as Planning Manager, Vanessa oversaw the adoption, implementation, and ongoing updates of the 14 Area Plans that make up the City of Milwaukee Comprehensive Plan, with a focus on strengthening neighborhood partnerships and deep community engagement; and
Whereas, Vanessa has represented the Department of City Development through leadership roles with the Westlawn Choice Neighborhood Initiative, MKE United, the Near West Side Partners, and the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, helping advance those critical initiatives and partnerships; and
Whereas, Vanessa has played a key role in Milwaukee’s efforts to restore and revitalize its rivers as she has been integrally involved in the design of individual segments of the Milwaukee Riverwalk, adoption of the Milwaukee River Greenway Overlay, and the development of Design Standards for future extensions of the Riverwalk along the Menomonee and Kinnickinnic Rivers; and,
Whereas, Throughout her tenure as Planning Manager, Vanessa has overseen a robust Design Review Team process that has provided developers with timely and effective recommendations to ensure that development in Milwaukee improves the City’s built environment and results in high-quality architectural design that is responsive to neighborhood context; and
Whereas, Vanessa has provided supportive and steady leadership to Planning staff throughout her time as a manager within the Division, creating a collaborative culture that values customer service, creative problem solving, and integrity in government; and
Whereas, Vanessa has endeavored to maintain strong “town/gown” ties by cultivating mutually beneficial partnerships with the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Architecture and Urban Planning, including collaborating on the annual Mayor’s Design Awards, Design Charettes, student projects, and providing a professional training ground and strong mentorship for countless Graduate Interns in the Planning Division; and
Whereas, Vanessa has recently been asked to serve in the position of Deputy Commissioner of the Department of City Development, where the entire DCD will benefit from her skills and leadership as the Planning Division has for the previous 22 years; now, therefore be it
Resolved, That the Plan Commission of the City of Milwaukee hereby thanks Vanessa Koster for her years of dedicated service in providing staff support and leadership to the Commission and to the Planning Division as a whole, and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Plan Commission of the City of Milwaukee congratulates Vanessa on her appointment to Deputy Commissioner, wishes her luck and success in her new role, and expresses gratitude that all of her expertise remains available to the Plan Commission and the Planning Division as she continues to influence planning and design in Milwaukee in her new position.
Drafter
Kristin Connelly
Department of City Development
07/07/2020