Milwaukee Considers Zoning Reform

According to an article by Tom Daykin in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Milwaukee officials are considering changing the city’s zoning code to encourage more housing production in commercial areas. “Those revisions, which need approval from the Common Council and Mayor Cavalier Johnson, would be a first step towards Johnson’s vision of eventually increasing Milwaukee’s population to 1 million.”

Proposals also include upzoning — increasing the allowable density — single-family neighborhoods to permit duplexes, townhouses, and other small multi-family housing types, and permitting accessory dwelling units (ADUs) more widely.

Another proposal would eliminate floor area ratio (FAR) in favor of height limits, setbacks, and other standards that limit the size of developments.

Industry experts say the city could also cut development costs by offering pre-approved plans and creating more tax incremental financing districts. “Those districts use property tax revenue from new developments to pay their costs.”