May 14, 2008
Susan Alanis – Your New Planning Director
By: Kevin Buchanan
As I reported over at West & Clear, the city has appointed Susan Alanis as the new planning director, replacing Fernando Costa as he moves to Assistant City Manager. Now, putting aside the odd circumstances of her appointment that I talked about over at W&C, I have to ask: How do we feel about replacing Costa (who was one of the best city planning directors we’ve ever had, in my opinion) with somebody who doesn’t appear to have any real planning experience?
I mean, her major accomplishments since joining the Planning & Development Department – according to the city itself – were things like getting new field computers for inspectors, and establishing an online permitting system. Now, obviously, there’s nothing at all wrong with that – but at this juncture in the city’s history, what was the thinking in replacing a man who has spent 30-some-odd years promoting the New Urbanism and enabling smart urban growth and revitalization with a business analyst?
I really don’t mean to come down on Ms. Alanis. I’ve got nothing against her at all. This just seems like a weird decision to make. I want to know what she stands for – what sort of development she supports, and what steps she wants to take to do so. I certainly hope she will continue to encourage proper urban development, as Costa did.
What do you think? Sound off in the comments.
Strictly speaking, any individual who holds the title Director of Planning for the City of Fort Worth should be certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). This is the only recognized professional certification in the planning profession. Costa is not only AICP, but he was elevated to Fellow of AICP (FAICP) in 2008. The American Planning Association (APA) does show Ms. Alanis as a member, but in reality anyone can join APA – it is not a certifying organization; rather, AICP (a subset of APA) is the key organization to be part of. And you can only be AICP certified if you pass the exam and maintain your certification with annual continuing education.
It is also telling to chart the history of city planning in FW. The Planning Department has never really come into its own. In the last 30 years, it has been the Planning & Development Dept., then split into a separate Planning Dept., then morphed into the Planning & Growth Management Dept., and (back to the future), rejoined as the Planning & Development Dept. again. It has had its share of different leaders – some strong like Costa and James Toal. Others, including Stephen Ondrejas (early 1980′s), Emil Moncivais, and Bruce McClendon, were more in a caretaker role of the department but never promoted planning as strong as it could have been.
Someone has to stand up to David Schwarz and the Bass interests and lead FW in the appropriate direction. Having a wealthy patriarchal family that cares about the City is great. But the City also needs talented creative professionals to create the next generation of development.
D H,
Thanks for the great comment. I’d be curious, though – Schwarz’s urban design/planning work seems quite good to me, so from my point of view I think we would be well served to look at his work as inspiration rather than something to be stood up to.
Otherwise, I’m right there with you. Great comment.