2. 240402 A substitute ordinance adopting the Growing MKE Plan as the Housing and Neighborhoods Element of the Citywide Policy Plan as part of Milwaukee's Overall Comprehensive Plan, and directing implementation.
As a Milwaukee resident deeply invested in the future of our community, I strongly urge the CPC to consider delaying the vote on this plan to prioritize more community outreach and engagement. It is crucial that all voices, especially those from marginalized and underrepresented groups, have the opportunity to be heard and contribute to the decision-making process. By taking additional time to foster inclusive dialogue and understanding, we can ensure that the plan reflects the diverse needs and aspirations of our entire community. Thank you for your consideration.
As a Milwaukee resident deeply invested in the future of our community, I strongly urge the CPC to consider delaying the vote on this plan to prioritize more community outreach and engagement. It is crucial that all voices, especially those from marginalized and underrepresented groups, have the opportunity to be heard and contribute to the decision-making process. By taking additional time to foster inclusive dialogue and understanding, we can ensure that the plan reflects the diverse needs and aspirations of our entire community. Thank you for your consideration.
Milwaukee needs more housing. For a variety of factors outside of the city's control, housing costs have risen sharply over the last decade. More and more families can't find new homes that work for them because of costs. The number of unhoused persons in Milwaukee is rising.
We are in a housing crisis. We need our elected officials to help. And you can help by making sure our zoning codes do not further limit our housing supply.
Finally, I must note that those opposed to this plan always seem to have a financial stake in maintaining the status quo. I encourage the commission to consider that the laws of supply and demand dictate that when supply is constrained, demand and thus prices will be high. Maintaining the status quo will keep housing costs high - which benefits existing landlords and homeowners at the expense of families without the means to be lucky enough to already own a home.
I strongly support the Growing MKE Plan because I want a variety of housing options for myself, my neighbors, and future residents. I live in an affordable apartment in the Martin Drive neighborhood, which enhances my quality of life with convenient public-transit access and easy biking. Allowing similar apartment buildings in more places is crucial for creating neighborhoods where people can walk, bike and use public transit to reach their destinations. This also offers more housing options as people's circumstances change.
The Growing MKE Plan addresses a significant obstacle to solving Milwaukee's housing issues. Removing this barrier is essential for the city and county to maintain and afford their services.
Initially, I expected only minor changes to the zoning code, but the importance of the plan became clear through the city's thorough preparation and various meetings. Despite the plan's strengths, I am disappointed that it no longer recommends multi-family buildings in RT3 and RT4 districts. I hope this recommendation will be reinstated to fully realize the plan's potential for diverse and accessible housing options.
As a Milwaukee resident deeply invested in the future of our community, I strongly urge the CPC to consider delaying the vote on this plan to prioritize more community outreach and engagement. It is crucial that all voices, especially those from marginalized and underrepresented groups, have the opportunity to be heard and contribute to the decision-making process. By taking additional time to foster inclusive dialogue and understanding, we can ensure that the plan reflects the diverse needs and aspirations of our entire community. Thank you for your consideration.
I support adopting the Growing MKE plan and continuing the process to adapt the city’s zoning code to increase housing choice and hopefully affordability. I appreciate that the city held office hours in lots of libraries. I had multiple opportunities to learn about the plan without needing to travel far from where I live by showing up to the Capitol Library and Washington Park Library. The staff was very responsive and got answers back to me when I had questions.
I live in a neighborhood that currently allows only single-family homes on many lots. Most of these homes are expensive and owned by White people. The neighborhood also has duplexes, fourplexes, and courtyard apartments. I love having these housing types in the neighborhood because they allow for a diversity of people to live here. I strongly support allowing more homes to be built in my neighborhood and the opportunity for more people to live here. My neighborhood is getting more expensive, it is getting harder to continue living here. While I own a home, I could not buy a home here today. Without a change in policy and more housing built, I don't know how this neighborhood would retain any affordability.
I am strongly in support of the Grow MKE plan. As a resident of the city's Walker's Point neighborhood I believe that an aggressive strategy for growth and improving the quality and connectedness of our places is essential and the Grow MKE plan presents our best single opportunity to lay the building blocks for the future of our city. Milwaukee is uniquely positioned to buck the long-term trends of a shrinking city and continue to inspire vibrant and fulfilling neighborhoods and people, but only if we take the necessary actions. I implore the city to adopt the Grow MKE plan.
I support the plan because it will allow the construction of new housing, which will benefit renters and aspiring homeowners. Keeping zoning restrictions tight makes housing unaffordable and disproportionately benefits wealthy residents.
Lifting zoning restrictions citywide instead of in one area is the right strategy because it will allow for development to gradually take place. Cities often open up loosen restrictions in one area, which subjects it to rapid, intense development. A citywide approach is the least disruptive and most fair strategy for everyone.
However, I would like the council to take more input from marginalized communities and make reasonable carveouts where necessary to ensure that this plan does not interfere with them getting the resources they need.
Please halt this process. People, especially Black and brown people, in Milwaukee are feeling disenfranchised from it, and that is not setting this plan up for success. There need to be thresholds of engagement with people and community groups that need to be met, not just certain amounts of time between the steps. Zoning in Milwaukee is too fraught and too important to not be intentionally discussed by inviting people to the table and helping them get there, and then providing a solid education on the plan and asking for feedback on the specifics. And the possible harms need to be identified as much as possible with plans for their mitigation.
First off, I am in strong support for this plan! I’ve been excited for this since the fall and it will be a big win for the city and growing overall! We need aggressive zoning policies like this to be able to get to 1 million Milwaukeeans!
Pros:
- Middle housing and code revisions
- Transit Oriented Development (TOD) and urban design changes
- Big wins to increase density in smart way
Medium density housing is awesome for the city and are a big reason why I’m happy to see this plan move forward. Having multi units built into the code will be a big win for the city!
Cons:
- Toothless renters resources
- Limited resources for student/temp housing
- No stance on banning anti-homeless design
- Not introducing full ADU zoning
A big let down for me is that even though the plan hits on student/temp housing, it doesn’t take a firm approach to fix it. Hopefully, the plan can be revised to take a real step for compact/temp housing!
Finally, not introducing full ADU zoning in the plan is a weak move and goes against the spirit of this plan. “Filling in” lots with these is key to smart density.
Though some criticism, I do think that the plan is a big leap forward for the city!
Creating a zoning plan for Milwaukee without involving the community members it directly impacts is unacceptable. Please halt this plan, and work with members of the Black and Brown community in Milwaukee, of which the zoning of this city directly impacts. We need to address the issues of poverty, lack of healthcare, food, and clean water in our communities. As well as the monopoly that landlords have across this city creating lack of affordable housing and home ownership. This is of utmost importance when it comes to creating a new zoning plan for the city. Once we are thriving in all aspects, should we start looking at growing our population. Let’s make sure we are all taken care of first.
I strongly oppose the Growing MKE project at this stage. Not enough work has been done by the city of Milwaukee to learn what is needed & wanted by the Black and brown communities of Milwaukee who are the most impacted by these re-zoning ordinances. As these re-zoning plans occur every 100 years, we need to ensure to uplift the voices of all members of our community to make sure their needs are heard. At this point I strongly oppose the Growing MKE project and believe the city must return to the community to build infrastructure that is safe and sustainable- for everyone.
This plan is an excellent and sorely needed update to our zoning code to rectify the exclusionary practices of the past 70+ years, which have contributed to the continued racial segregation and economic disparities in the city. This plan empowers residents to build the city they want by allowing a wide range of housing options across the city, regardless of your neighborhood. Whether you're a young person just starting out, a family looking for a starter home, or empty nesters looking to downsize, this plan makes it easier to build the housing stock that people want, not just what big developers think will be most profitable.
In addition to housing diversity, streamlining the process of building homes will help to reduce the cost, allowing more homes to be built and those homes to be more affordable to residents. With Milwaukee now near the top of rankings for largest rent and home price increases, expanding our housing stock is needed now more than ever before.
I support this position since the addition of more housing options would allow for more affordable housing as well as a greater availability of options for people in a variety of living circumstances.
I strongly support Growing MKE. We need more housing of all types in all parts of the city.
This is a thoughtful plan. I have been pleased at how many opportunities the city has provided for public engagement.
I own a single family home on a block In Washington Heights that is single family homes & duplexes. I would welcome triplexes & small apartment buildings
on this block, should a property owner wish to build one. There are several parcels in my neighborhood that would be great for small apartment buildings. I love my neighborhood and the amenities it offers, and I would be thrilled to welcome more neighbors. We should be making it as easy as possible to build housing.
MKE has a low vacancy rate & rising rents. With climate change, we are likely attract new residents. A city that has newcomers move in but does not build housing is destined to follow in the footsteps of San Francisco, which has seen its Black population pushed to outlying areas and has an astonishing rate of homelessness. Building housing will prevent displacement of long-time residents.
Making it easier to build more types of housing in more parts of the city is key to ensuring MKE’s future success.
I strongly support GrowingMKE. We must move forward with this plan in order to control spiraling housing costs, address the racial equity gap in housing, and ensure every neighborhood has the opportunity to be a more dense, walkable, and vibrant place.
If Milwaukee is going to thrive, we need to expand the tax base. We're operating in an environment where state policies are hostile to Milwaukee, hindering its ability to provide basic services and build/maintain infrastructure. These zoning changes are critically important to making sure we can raise additional revenue in support of all our other goals as a city.
I was disappointed to see that the recommendation to allow small multifamily buildings in RT3 and RT4 districts was removed from the plan. My family of four prefers living in a multifamily building, but our housing choices are limited by our historical zoning restrictions. I encourage you to restore this provision of the plan.
I also want to commend the Department of City Development for its tireless work on community engagement. Their efforts to gather feedback in various formats, media, and languages -- across all areas of the city -- are greatly appreciated.
As a Milwaukee resident that is deeply invested in making Milwaukee safe and sustainable for all residents I am opposed the Growing MKE plan being put up for approval at the CPC meeting tomorrow and ask that this it is postponed. While the Growing MKE team may feel that they did enough engaging with with public, it was not enough. There is a reason that many folks feel like they did not know about this plan and do not support it. Zoning in Milwaukee in particular is very continuous topic for Black and Brown residents, for rightful reasons. I suggest that the Growing MKE team seek to engage with Black and Brown communities who will be impacted by this plan and rightfully have mistrust of changing zoning codes. We do not have to move forward as we have in the past. Please delay this vote.
As a Milwaukee resident deeply invested in the future of our community, I strongly urge the CPC to consider delaying the vote on this plan to prioritize more community outreach and engagement. It is crucial that all voices, especially those from marginalized and underrepresented groups, have the opportunity to be heard and contribute to the decision-making process. By taking additional time to foster inclusive dialogue and understanding, we can ensure that the plan reflects the diverse needs and aspirations of our entire community. Thank you for your consideration.
As a Milwaukee resident deeply invested in the future of our community, I strongly urge the CPC to consider delaying the vote on this plan to prioritize more community outreach and engagement. It is crucial that all voices, especially those from marginalized and underrepresented groups, have the opportunity to be heard and contribute to the decision-making process. By taking additional time to foster inclusive dialogue and understanding, we can ensure that the plan reflects the diverse needs and aspirations of our entire community. Thank you for your consideration.
I enthusiastically support the Growing MKE Plan.
Milwaukee needs more housing. For a variety of factors outside of the city's control, housing costs have risen sharply over the last decade. More and more families can't find new homes that work for them because of costs. The number of unhoused persons in Milwaukee is rising.
We are in a housing crisis. We need our elected officials to help. And you can help by making sure our zoning codes do not further limit our housing supply.
Finally, I must note that those opposed to this plan always seem to have a financial stake in maintaining the status quo. I encourage the commission to consider that the laws of supply and demand dictate that when supply is constrained, demand and thus prices will be high. Maintaining the status quo will keep housing costs high - which benefits existing landlords and homeowners at the expense of families without the means to be lucky enough to already own a home.
I strongly support the Growing MKE Plan because I want a variety of housing options for myself, my neighbors, and future residents. I live in an affordable apartment in the Martin Drive neighborhood, which enhances my quality of life with convenient public-transit access and easy biking. Allowing similar apartment buildings in more places is crucial for creating neighborhoods where people can walk, bike and use public transit to reach their destinations. This also offers more housing options as people's circumstances change.
The Growing MKE Plan addresses a significant obstacle to solving Milwaukee's housing issues. Removing this barrier is essential for the city and county to maintain and afford their services.
Initially, I expected only minor changes to the zoning code, but the importance of the plan became clear through the city's thorough preparation and various meetings. Despite the plan's strengths, I am disappointed that it no longer recommends multi-family buildings in RT3 and RT4 districts. I hope this recommendation will be reinstated to fully realize the plan's potential for diverse and accessible housing options.
As a Milwaukee resident deeply invested in the future of our community, I strongly urge the CPC to consider delaying the vote on this plan to prioritize more community outreach and engagement. It is crucial that all voices, especially those from marginalized and underrepresented groups, have the opportunity to be heard and contribute to the decision-making process. By taking additional time to foster inclusive dialogue and understanding, we can ensure that the plan reflects the diverse needs and aspirations of our entire community. Thank you for your consideration.
I support adopting the Growing MKE plan and continuing the process to adapt the city’s zoning code to increase housing choice and hopefully affordability. I appreciate that the city held office hours in lots of libraries. I had multiple opportunities to learn about the plan without needing to travel far from where I live by showing up to the Capitol Library and Washington Park Library. The staff was very responsive and got answers back to me when I had questions.
I live in a neighborhood that currently allows only single-family homes on many lots. Most of these homes are expensive and owned by White people. The neighborhood also has duplexes, fourplexes, and courtyard apartments. I love having these housing types in the neighborhood because they allow for a diversity of people to live here. I strongly support allowing more homes to be built in my neighborhood and the opportunity for more people to live here. My neighborhood is getting more expensive, it is getting harder to continue living here. While I own a home, I could not buy a home here today. Without a change in policy and more housing built, I don't know how this neighborhood would retain any affordability.
I am strongly in support of the Grow MKE plan. As a resident of the city's Walker's Point neighborhood I believe that an aggressive strategy for growth and improving the quality and connectedness of our places is essential and the Grow MKE plan presents our best single opportunity to lay the building blocks for the future of our city. Milwaukee is uniquely positioned to buck the long-term trends of a shrinking city and continue to inspire vibrant and fulfilling neighborhoods and people, but only if we take the necessary actions. I implore the city to adopt the Grow MKE plan.
I support the plan because it will allow the construction of new housing, which will benefit renters and aspiring homeowners. Keeping zoning restrictions tight makes housing unaffordable and disproportionately benefits wealthy residents.
Lifting zoning restrictions citywide instead of in one area is the right strategy because it will allow for development to gradually take place. Cities often open up loosen restrictions in one area, which subjects it to rapid, intense development. A citywide approach is the least disruptive and most fair strategy for everyone.
However, I would like the council to take more input from marginalized communities and make reasonable carveouts where necessary to ensure that this plan does not interfere with them getting the resources they need.
Please halt this process. People, especially Black and brown people, in Milwaukee are feeling disenfranchised from it, and that is not setting this plan up for success. There need to be thresholds of engagement with people and community groups that need to be met, not just certain amounts of time between the steps. Zoning in Milwaukee is too fraught and too important to not be intentionally discussed by inviting people to the table and helping them get there, and then providing a solid education on the plan and asking for feedback on the specifics. And the possible harms need to be identified as much as possible with plans for their mitigation.
I support the plan and Growing MKE, as it leads to expanded housing options.
“supporting new housing that creates walkable urban neighborhoods” especially in neighborhoods that are west of I-43…..
First off, I am in strong support for this plan! I’ve been excited for this since the fall and it will be a big win for the city and growing overall! We need aggressive zoning policies like this to be able to get to 1 million Milwaukeeans!
Pros:
- Middle housing and code revisions
- Transit Oriented Development (TOD) and urban design changes
- Big wins to increase density in smart way
Medium density housing is awesome for the city and are a big reason why I’m happy to see this plan move forward. Having multi units built into the code will be a big win for the city!
Cons:
- Toothless renters resources
- Limited resources for student/temp housing
- No stance on banning anti-homeless design
- Not introducing full ADU zoning
A big let down for me is that even though the plan hits on student/temp housing, it doesn’t take a firm approach to fix it. Hopefully, the plan can be revised to take a real step for compact/temp housing!
Finally, not introducing full ADU zoning in the plan is a weak move and goes against the spirit of this plan. “Filling in” lots with these is key to smart density.
Though some criticism, I do think that the plan is a big leap forward for the city!
Creating a zoning plan for Milwaukee without involving the community members it directly impacts is unacceptable. Please halt this plan, and work with members of the Black and Brown community in Milwaukee, of which the zoning of this city directly impacts. We need to address the issues of poverty, lack of healthcare, food, and clean water in our communities. As well as the monopoly that landlords have across this city creating lack of affordable housing and home ownership. This is of utmost importance when it comes to creating a new zoning plan for the city. Once we are thriving in all aspects, should we start looking at growing our population. Let’s make sure we are all taken care of first.
I strongly oppose the Growing MKE project at this stage. Not enough work has been done by the city of Milwaukee to learn what is needed & wanted by the Black and brown communities of Milwaukee who are the most impacted by these re-zoning ordinances. As these re-zoning plans occur every 100 years, we need to ensure to uplift the voices of all members of our community to make sure their needs are heard. At this point I strongly oppose the Growing MKE project and believe the city must return to the community to build infrastructure that is safe and sustainable- for everyone.
Please halt the project so if can be reorganized to center the actual community members
This plan is an excellent and sorely needed update to our zoning code to rectify the exclusionary practices of the past 70+ years, which have contributed to the continued racial segregation and economic disparities in the city. This plan empowers residents to build the city they want by allowing a wide range of housing options across the city, regardless of your neighborhood. Whether you're a young person just starting out, a family looking for a starter home, or empty nesters looking to downsize, this plan makes it easier to build the housing stock that people want, not just what big developers think will be most profitable.
In addition to housing diversity, streamlining the process of building homes will help to reduce the cost, allowing more homes to be built and those homes to be more affordable to residents. With Milwaukee now near the top of rankings for largest rent and home price increases, expanding our housing stock is needed now more than ever before.
I support this position since the addition of more housing options would allow for more affordable housing as well as a greater availability of options for people in a variety of living circumstances.
I strongly support Growing MKE. We need more housing of all types in all parts of the city.
This is a thoughtful plan. I have been pleased at how many opportunities the city has provided for public engagement.
I own a single family home on a block In Washington Heights that is single family homes & duplexes. I would welcome triplexes & small apartment buildings
on this block, should a property owner wish to build one. There are several parcels in my neighborhood that would be great for small apartment buildings. I love my neighborhood and the amenities it offers, and I would be thrilled to welcome more neighbors. We should be making it as easy as possible to build housing.
MKE has a low vacancy rate & rising rents. With climate change, we are likely attract new residents. A city that has newcomers move in but does not build housing is destined to follow in the footsteps of San Francisco, which has seen its Black population pushed to outlying areas and has an astonishing rate of homelessness. Building housing will prevent displacement of long-time residents.
Making it easier to build more types of housing in more parts of the city is key to ensuring MKE’s future success.
I strongly support GrowingMKE. We must move forward with this plan in order to control spiraling housing costs, address the racial equity gap in housing, and ensure every neighborhood has the opportunity to be a more dense, walkable, and vibrant place.
If Milwaukee is going to thrive, we need to expand the tax base. We're operating in an environment where state policies are hostile to Milwaukee, hindering its ability to provide basic services and build/maintain infrastructure. These zoning changes are critically important to making sure we can raise additional revenue in support of all our other goals as a city.
I was disappointed to see that the recommendation to allow small multifamily buildings in RT3 and RT4 districts was removed from the plan. My family of four prefers living in a multifamily building, but our housing choices are limited by our historical zoning restrictions. I encourage you to restore this provision of the plan.
I also want to commend the Department of City Development for its tireless work on community engagement. Their efforts to gather feedback in various formats, media, and languages -- across all areas of the city -- are greatly appreciated.
As a Milwaukee resident that is deeply invested in making Milwaukee safe and sustainable for all residents I am opposed the Growing MKE plan being put up for approval at the CPC meeting tomorrow and ask that this it is postponed. While the Growing MKE team may feel that they did enough engaging with with public, it was not enough. There is a reason that many folks feel like they did not know about this plan and do not support it. Zoning in Milwaukee in particular is very continuous topic for Black and Brown residents, for rightful reasons. I suggest that the Growing MKE team seek to engage with Black and Brown communities who will be impacted by this plan and rightfully have mistrust of changing zoning codes. We do not have to move forward as we have in the past. Please delay this vote.