
Sonja Kruesel is an Associate Planner at Vandewalle & Associates leading municipal planning services and executing a variety of growth management, redevelopment, and implementation projects. As the on-call planner for many clients, Sonja enjoys guiding projects from concept to occupancy, facilitating project review collaboratively with municipal staff, elected officials, the public, and developers.
Her expertise in local government processes and land development regulations combined with effective communication and a common-sense approach contributes to successful development implementation across our region. With land use planning, redevelopment, and implementation projects, Sonja combines this foundation of local government knowledge with a passion for our communities to deliver realistic yet creative and inspiring planning recommendations.
Since joining Vandewalle & Associates, Sonja has partnered with clients to deliver actionable Comprehensive Plans and Park & Open Space Plans and revamped Zoning and Subdivision Codes. She has also assisted in the creation of new Tax Increment Financing districts, developed strategic Downtown Plans, facilitated Urban Service Area Amendment applications, studied repositioning of a legacy industrial local economy, and contributed to reports that seek to address housing challenges. On a daily basis, she produces Plan Commission staff reports on development proposals and on-going zoning code interpretation and amendments.
Prior to joining the firm, Sonja served as an effective local government leader for over 10 years as a municipal Planning Director for the cities of Monona and Fitchburg, Wisconsin. As a Department Head she guided these communities on all matters of community planning. Examples include implementation of all types of zoning codes (including performance based, Euclidean, form-based and agricultural preservation zoning).
With a diverse skill set and care for our region, Sonja continuously delivers efficient local government planning services rooted in collaboration with all stakeholders. She strives to connect day-to-day foundational decision making with the broader challenges our communities face including regulatory reform, housing, growth management, and community character.
EDUCATION
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin – Master of Science, May 2013
Degree focus in Urban and Regional Planning – Land Use and Sustainable Community Development; Capstone project – “Cultivating Main Street in Suburban Business Districts.”
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin – Bachelor of Arts, May 2011
Degree focus in Geography, History, Environmental Studies. Capstone project – “Wisconsin Barns: Stewards of our Dynamic Cultural Landscapes.”
ORGANIZATIONS
- American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) – May 2015
- Market Leadership Advisory Board, Secretary – WI United States Green Building Council – December 2015
PRESENTATIONS
- Plenary Panel Speaker “Forwarding Equity” APA Upper Midwest Planning Conf. – 2019
- Speaker “Strategies for Market-Ready Redevelopment” APA Upper Midwest Planning Conf. – 2015
AWARDS
- Fitchburg Mayoral Award for Outstanding City Department – 2020
- Madison Community Shares “Backyard Hero Award” – February 2013
- Wisconsin County Code Administrators Scholarship Recipient – 2012