Zoning Changes Could Grow City Population
City looks to update zoning code, in line with Mayor Johnson's vision for growth.
Element apartment building. Photo by Jeramey Jannene.
How will Milwaukee achieve Mayor Cavalier Johnson‘s vision of attracting one million residents in the city?
The Department of City Development is proposing to study modifying the zoning code to encourage more housing development. That could include things like allowing higher density housing along transit corridors and simplifying or eliminating the special approval process for accessory dwelling units (carriage units).
The zoning code was last substantially updated in 2002 under Mayor John Norquist, but recent planning efforts have identified potential areas for improvement.
“A lot of those plans have made recommendations like adding housing near transit, how we regulate parking, accessory dwelling units, things like that,” said Leichtling. Nationally, city advocates have called for code reform to eliminate parking minimums, permit more development by right (without legislative approval) and allow a greater diversity of housing types.
DCD is now seeking to hire a consultant, with a $100,000 budget, to consider what changes could be made in Milwaukee. A report submitted to the council says those changes could allow more home-based businesses, increase housing options and affordability by allowing a greater number of housing styles and adjust parking requirements in a bid to improve affordability and meet climate goals.
Alderman Robert Bauman publicly questioned the cost. “What’s the problem we are trying to fix with this expenditure?”
“[The mayor] wanted to look at the zoning code to make sure there were not any barriers or impediments to development,” said Leichtling. “We are not proposing to throw out the code. It’s looking at those areas that could be tweaked.”
But Bauman suggested it could result in high-rise development along S. Superior St. in Bay View and N. Wahl Ave. on the East Side, two streets with lake views and valuable houses.
“That happened in Chicago. It’s exactly how a lot of the Chicago lakefront developed,” said Bauman, a Windy City native. He said it could bring significant upzoning to Milwaukee.
Leichtling said the city would continue its process of updating area plans, like one effort currently underway for Bay View or another for Downtown. Those plans identify potential catalytic projects, zoning changes, uses and other strategies to be executed at a neighborhood level.
The committee unanimously approved the proposal. The funding would come from an already established planning fund. The full council is expected to vote on the proposal at its July 28 meeting.
The study is sponsored by Bauman, committee chair Michael Murphy and Council President Jose G. Perez.
Political Contributions Tracker
Displaying political contributions between people mentioned in this story. Learn more.
- February 20, 2016 - Cavalier Johnson received $250 from Robert Bauman
- May 5, 2015 - José G. Pérez received $10 from Cavalier Johnson
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why pay $100k to a consultant for this?
the City has developed & adopted updated plans already, which include these specific types of zoning recommendations.
most plans were developed in 2009 and update in 2012 and then updated again in 2018.
there were a dozen or more consultants involved with these existing plans and we already have their recommendations for nudges/ improvements to existing zoning regs.
here is link to updated and approved 2018 Plan “Equitable Growth Through Transit Oriented Development”
https://city.milwaukee.gov/DCD/Planning/PlansStudies/Plans/MovingMKEForward#.XRDf9-hKjcs
the consultants already put their recommendations for zoning updates in these plans!
In the recent book, Arbitrary Lines: How Zoning Broke the American City and How to Fix It (Island Press, 2022), urbanist M. Nolan Gray provides an insightful look at how zoning has added to racial and economic segregation, housing scarcity, population decline, labor shortages, and economic stagnation. Milwaukee would be wise to review how zoning may be limiting its growth and contributing to segregation, loss of population, and a scarcity of affordable housing.
In his book, Gray tears down the many misconceptions about zoning and shows how alternatives can work better, including focused ordinances and deed restrictions for neighborhoods that want them. NIMBY opposition to development works hand-in-hand with zoning to limit the supply of housing and potential for growth. Unaffordable housing impacts all people who just want to live close to their work, reduce their housing + transportation costs, and put food on the table.
At its most fundamental level, Gray’s book asks that the market forces of demand and supply be allowed to play out for the most productive use of urban land, and he shows how zoning prevents this. He shows that common-sense business objectives, city ordinances, and mediation can resolve land use disputes. Gray includes an extended discussion of a major American city that does not have zoning laws and has added affordable housing, jobs, and population.
Ending zoning is not a panacea, but Gray does call for it, and he appeals for better practices immediately: ending restrictions on multifamily and other affordable housing types, ending off-street parking space requirements so that housing costs can be lower, and ending minimum lot sizes and setback distances to allow for more affordable housing.
Any update on what specific changes are going to take place, and when they will happen?