Carol Downs

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu will get a chance to put her stamp on the Boston Planning and Development Agency with a pending vacancy on its board of directors.

Treasurer Carol Downs notified the BPDA last week that she will step down on Thursday after seven years on the five-member board.

In an email, BPDA Director Arthur Jemison II praised Downs as an advocate for small businesses, affordable housing and civic and cultural spaces. Jemison said the resignation won’t affect the ability of the board to function with four members, or cause any delays in the agency’s business.

Downs is the BPDA’s representative to the Boston Community Preservation Committee and co-owner of the Bella Luna & Milky Way restaurant in Jamaica Plain.

In her resignation letter, Downs cited accomplishments in affordable housing generation and reforming the BPDA to become more transparent and inclusive.

“The combination of our unique experiences and viewpoints is the fundamental strength of this board and enables us to advocate for effective public policy,” Downs wrote.

A process and timeline to select Downs’ replacement has not been announced.