Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee Meeting - July 7, 2026

The Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee of the Milwaukee Common Council met on July 7, 2026, at 9:03 AM in Room 301-B of City Hall. Chaired by Ald. Robert J. Bauman, the committee addressed ten agenda items including an operational update from the Department of Neighborhood Services (DNS), property sales, zoning changes, tax incremental district (TID) amendments, and the creation of a new TID for the Austin Commons affordable housing development. The meeting adjourned at 12:15 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Item 2: Resolution authorizing sale of city-owned tax deed properties at 2034-2038 W. Greenfield Ave. to Sustainable Development LLC for development of four owner-occupied townhomes. Recommended for adoption (3-0, two excused).
• Item 3: Resolution authorizing sale of city-owned tax deed property at 3068 N. Teutonia Ave. to 3706 Property Investments LLC for use as parking and daycare playground. Recommended for adoption (4-0, one excused).
• Item 5: Substitute ordinance rezoning the western 50 feet of 1215 W. Layton Ave. from IL1 to IO1 to facilitate expansion of an existing gas station. Recommended for passage (3-0, two excused).
• Item 6: Resolution authorizing transfer of funds from Capital Improvements-Advance Planning Fund for comprehensive planning, GIS mapping, and related activities. Recommended for adoption (5-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 4 (The Everett Multifamily): No public testimony was offered.
• Item 10 (Austin Commons TID): Andy Meyer, owner of a neighboring property and pipe organ business, testified in opposition. He expressed concerns about parking congestion, density, snow removal, and access on Austin Street, particularly during winter. He also provided background on how the three parcels came to be owned by Clement Sausage Company.

Discussion Items

• Item 1: DNS Operational Status Update – Jesamil Arroyo-Vega and Mike Mazmanian from DNS presented a detailed overview of the department's inspection staff, complaint volume, and service delivery metrics. Discussion covered inspector staffing challenges (e.g., special enforcement vacancies falling from 17 positions in 2020 to 7 funded, with recruitment difficulties), safety incidents (one shooting incident in recent years), use of personal vehicles (mileage reimbursement at roughly $0.30–$0.40 per mile), condemnation/demolition processes, and coordination with licensing and BOZA. Ald. Coggs requested correspondence on safety incidents and condemnation data. Ald. Spiker requested information on Municipal Court cases. The item was held to the call of the chair on a motion by Ald. Jackson (5-0).
• Item 4: The Everett Multifamily Rezoning – DCD and the development team outlined a proposed 12-story, 200-unit market-rate apartment building at 234 S. Water St., including a new riverwalk segment. The site, currently used for parking, had prior approved developments that expired. The City Plan Commission had recommended approval. Committee members discussed building height, design (brick consistent with nearby Avani), and consistency with comprehensive plans. No public testimony. Recommended for passage (4-0, one excused).
• Item 7: TID No. 62 Amendment (DRS Power & Control Technologies) – A substitute was introduced. The amendment proposes $1 million in public infrastructure improvements including resurfacing North 29th St. ($120,000), high-impact paving ($570,000), and raised crosswalks and traffic calming on North Hopkins ($370,000). Discussion included the cost of raised crosswalks ($100,000–$120,000 each) and coordination with flood mitigation. Ald. Pratt expressed support. Recommended for adoption (4-0, one excused).
• Item 8: TID No. 72 Amendment (Bishops Creek) – A substitute was introduced. The amendment approves $2 million in project costs for traffic calming on North Hopkins, street lighting circuit replacement ($935,000), and a new playground ($750,000) as part of the MMSD West Basin Project (30-million-gallon stormwater basin). Discussion covered the West Basin project timeline (construction 2027, playground 2028) and flood mitigation. Recommended for adoption (5-0).
• Item 9: TID No. 74 Amendment (North 35th & Capitol Drive) – A substitute was introduced. The amendment approves $4.09 million for infrastructure improvements ($3.69 million), housing programs ($150,000), contingency ($150,000), and administration ($100,000) at Century City. Discussion included the Talgo building assessment (tax-exempt, city-owned, $30,000+ monthly rent), available development acreage (approximately 60 acres), and the redevelopment plan. Recommended for adoption (5-0).
• Item 10: TID No. 134 Creation (Austin Commons) – A substitute resolution approving a Project Plan and Development Agreement for a new TID in the 14th Aldermanic District. The TID will support construction of 100 affordable rental units (14 supportive housing) at 2318–2332 S. Austin St. in Bay View. The development team presented financing: $33 million total project cost, TIF request of up to $2.135 million (developer-financed at 5.91% over 21 years). Ald. Dimitrijevic reported three community meetings with divided resident opinions; she did not object. Extensive discussion on parking (104 underground spaces, dynamic pricing proposed, $104/month fee), density, site control, and human resource requirements (40% RPP, 25% SBE). DPW stated existing on-street parking is sufficient (21 spaces available on the 2300 block of Austin St. at night). The development team noted that zoning allows up to 67 parking spaces, and they are providing 104. A neighboring property owner testified in opposition. Recommended for adoption (4-1, Ald. Bauman opposed).

Key Outcomes

• Item 1 was held to the call of the chair (5-0).
• Items 2, 3, 5, and 6 were recommended for adoption/passage with unanimous or near-unanimous votes.
• Items 4, 7, 8, and 9 were recommended for adoption/passage with votes as noted.
• Item 10 was recommended for adoption (4-1) with Ald. Bauman voting no.
• All actions will proceed to the full Common Council for final approval.