Residents are still a little restive about it, but the East Side’s buildings are likely to get a little higher, to judge by the results of today’s City Plan Commission meeting.

Trinitas Ventures’ request for a change in zoning, from Industrial Light 2 to Detail Plan Development, was recommended for denial by the City Plan Commission at the February 6th, 2012 meeting.

Wednesday night, Alderman Nik Kovac held a public meeting to allow feedback to be voiced regarding the three proposed alternatives for the redevelopment of the one-story East Library into a mixed-use facility. The meeting was a follow-up to a meeting last November discussing the potential of issuing a request-for-proposal (RFP) for the redevelopment of the East Library site. Attendees at the meeting were provided with an update on the process and allowed to ask questions about the process and proposals. The predictable East Side public meeting questions were aired, but which, if any, of the proposals will be selected?

Talks between M&I, MSOE, and Milwaukee County regarding MSOE’s proposed parking garage in the Park East have dragged on for months, and it is likely because of a new detail that makes a marginal project into a bad project.

At the May 3rd, 2010 City Plan Commission meeting the proposed Milwaukee River Greenway Overlay District was brought for the commission for approval. This overlay district would impact 370 properties, these are properties that property lines are within approximately 50 feet of the river bluff, of which 70 to 80% is existing parkland.

It seems every month there is another recall proposed. It might be lead by the Citizens for Responsible Government (CRG), because they disagree with Governor Doyle’s policies, or it could be some members of the left debating a recall of Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker. But, regardless of party it seems that in Wisconsin anytime a group disagrees with a politician on a position or policy the talk of a recall pops up. The most recent example of this overzealousness is the CRG backed recall of Alderman Kovac.

New Land Enterprises was before the committee requesting a change in zoning to construct a 5-story apartment building to be located on North Farwell Avenue and East Kenilworth. Although the current zoning would allow for 33 units New Land Enterprises intends for 91 units to be constructed. Individual units would range in size from 560 square feet to 850 square feet and would include one parking spot. It was generally accepted by the committee that this plan for higher density with smaller units would in fact be better for the neighborhood.

Last Thursday night, residents of Milwaukee’s lower east side gathered at Holy Rosary Church to discuss the final of three proposals selected by the UWM Real Estate Foundation. The meeting began much like the two previous had, with the developer (Phelan Development) making a presentation on the plan, followed by a short bit by the architect (Jim Shields in this case), and representatives from UWM talking over some basic logistics and facts. After which Vice Chancellor for University Relations and Communications Tom Luljak straps on his bullet proof vest, and questions from the audience are allowed.

The Riverwest Neighborhood Association is going to test Alderman Nik Kovac early in his term. Dan Knauss reports on the Riverwest Neighborhood Network website that Kovac may be getting asked to help advocate for the Anaba Tea Room being opened at Garden Park as a done deal before the RFP process to select the “highest and best use” begins.