OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee Meeting - July 28, 2026

Common Council — Tuesday, July 28, 2026
BodyMilwaukee, Wisconsin
SessionCommon Council
DateTuesday, July 28, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:12:44

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Committee for Tuesday, July 28th, 2026 at 9.07 a.m.

0:05

I'm Oliverman Bauman, Chair of the Committee.

0:07

To my immediate right is Alderman Stamper, the Vice Chair to my far left, Alderman Spiker.

0:12

To his right, Alderman DeAndre Jackson.

0:14

And to my left is Chris Lee, our staff assistant.

0:17

We'll be joined by Alderwoman Coggs shortly.

0:19

First item on the agenda.

0:21

We'll read them both since they're gonna be held.

0:23

Item 1260362, substitute resolution relating to the designation of an area in the 15th Aldermanic District as a rental property inspection program district.

0:32

Item two, file two six zero three six three, substitute ordinance relating to the establishment of a rental property inspection program.

0:40

Alderman Stamper moves a whole of these two items to the call of the chair.

0:43

Hearing no objection to that, so ordered.

0:45

Thank you.

0:46

Excellent.

0:46

Moving on to item three, file two six zero three six eight.

0:50

Communication from the Department of City Development, the Department of Neighborhood Services, and the Office of the City Attorney relating to the 21st century Road to Housing Act and its impact on the city's tax foreclosed housing inventory and related housing policies.

1:04

I think we got some more people coming on this.

1:06

I think uh the council president and LRB are also what's our next file.

1:15

Uh why don't we go why don't we go to item uh we'll go to item four?

1:19

Okay.

1:20

And we'll until everybody's assembled.

1:22

Uh okay, we'll hold item three to a later point in the meeting, going to item four, file two six zero one eight three, substitute ordinance correcting the mixed zoning of the parcel located at 1993 South Muskego Avenue on the west side of South Muskego Avenue, north of West Rogers Street in the Eighth Aldermanic District, and assigning the zoning to local business LB2 to the property.

1:44

I think this is a mixed zoning case where you have one parcel with two zoning classifications.

1:50

Any anybody here on this item?

1:52

All right, well, we'll get to the looks like this meeting is gonna end real quick.

2:02

All right, we'll go back to item three.

2:16

Relating to the 21st century road to housing act and its impact on the city's tax foreclosed housing inventory and related housing policies.

2:23

Okay, we're joined by our common council president.

2:25

Do you want to take the leading?

2:27

Sure.

2:27

Thank you, Mr.

2:28

Chair.

2:28

Thank you.

2:29

Um, as many know this uh congressional road housing act has uh we'll have an impact on cities.

2:37

And uh we just uh I wanted to get ahead of the curve in a sense and uh knowing that there's an enormous amount of codification that has to happen in this process for us to compete for whatever grants may be available through this and opportunities.

2:51

Wanted to uh I know the National League of Cities is um has kind of a roadmap that they laid out for their membership.

2:59

I'm attending uh council presidents um gathering in August.

3:05

Housing is top of our issue, uh, one of the top issues that we'll be talking about, and uh more importantly, wanted to either hear from departments as we move into a budget process of what are the needs, uh, how are we getting ready?

3:19

Uh, what are we doing to um compete?

3:23

And just hear from departments uh what are they what do they need from us and to put out there uh for everyone else to hear how we're competing for some of these opportunities that come come out of the act.

3:32

Excellent.

3:33

Excellent.

3:33

Who wants to take the laboring order here?

3:35

I'm happy to.

3:36

All right.

3:36

Uh good morning, Glory Kilmer with the Department of City Development.

3:40

Um at the table, I'm joined to my uh right by City Attorney Goickey and to my left by uh Decanter from the Department of City Development.

3:49

Um I do know in the audience we have representatives from DNS and uh I believe CDGA.

3:55

Um so the first item is we want to uh draw your attention to the uh attachment to the file.

4:01

Uh so we did submit the uh uh bipartisan policy center.

4:05

Uh, did a summary and a tracker.

4:07

Um we have noticed that many organizations are putting out uh different summaries.

4:12

So uh this is the one that we thought was um comprehensive enough, but also you know, only 25 pages.

4:18

Um so an overview, uh the 21st century road to housing act uh is the final version of prior efforts, uh including the Senate's Road to Housing Act and the House's housing for the 21st century act.

4:30

And I mentioned this because as you're doing your own research, um there are many versions of this out there.

4:35

Um so this is the final version, the 21st century Road to Housing Act.

4:40

The legislation contains a wide range of provisions that would expand financing tools, reduce administrative barriers, streamline development processes, and preserve existing affordable housing stock.

4:51

However, uh the act does contain more than 50 provisions that require new regulations, administrative procedures, and federal guidance before a single dollar can be spent.

5:02

Additionally, most of the new and expanded programs do not come with authorized funding, meaning that the soonest a few of the programs may have access to dollars is 2027.

5:12

We also want to note, uh, just for kind of comparison.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Affordable Housing███████████████████████████████████35%
Land Use Planning█████████████████17%
Public Housing█████████9%
Community Engagement███████7%
Public Works█████5%
Technology and Innovation████4%
Legal Procedures████4%
Procedural███3%
Engineering And Infrastructure███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee Meeting - July 28, 2026

The Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee of the Milwaukee Common Council met on July 28, 2026, at 9:06 a.m. in City Hall. All five members (Chair Bauman, Vice-Chair Stamper, and Alds. Coggs, Jackson, and Spiker) were present. The committee considered 17 agenda items, including zoning corrections, tax incremental district (TID) amendments, property sale-backs, and a proposed moratorium on data centers. Most items were recommended for passage or adoption, while several were held for further consideration.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Item 17 (Data Center Pause): Three members of the public testified in support of the moratorium:
    • Molly Collins (Advocacy Director, American Lung Association) expressed concerns about increased air pollution from data centers' electricity demand and diesel generators, citing Milwaukee's failing grades for air quality and high asthma prevalence.
    • Samantha Doucas (Party for Socialism and Liberation) supported the moratorium, noting successful similar efforts in Dane County and Madison, and stated that community opposition would create a de facto moratorium.
    • Melody McCurtis (Deputy Director, Metcalfe Park Community Bridges) urged quick action, questioned why the item was not on the August 17 City Plan Commission agenda, and highlighted community power in opposing data centers.
  • Item 9 (Amani TID): A resident (Helen Reynolds) attempted to speak but was not recognized because the item was not a public hearing.

Discussion Items

  • Items 1 & 2: Rental Property Inspection Program – Ald. Stamper moved to hold both items to the call of the chair. The motion prevailed unanimously (5-0).
  • Item 3: 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act Communication – City officials (Larry Kilmer, DCD; Diana Kanter, DCD; Evan Goyke, City Attorney; Mario Higgins, CDGA) presented the act's provisions. Key points: the act has over 50 provisions requiring new regulations, most programs lack authorized funding, and the only funded program (Innovation Grant) has $200 million annually nationwide, but cities can compete for up to $10 million per grant. The prohibition on large institutional investors (350+ single-family homes) takes effect January 2027 but enforcement is uncertain. The city does not expect an immediate impact on its tax-foreclosed inventory. The communication was ultimately held to the call of the chair (5-0).
  • Item 4: Zoning Correction at 1993 S. Muskego Avenue – DCD Planning Director Tanya Fonseca presented. The mixed zoning (RT4 and LB2) from a 2018 land sale would be corrected to LB2, consistent with the Near South Side Area Plan. No public testimony. The ordinance was recommended for passage (5-0).
  • Item 5: Bader Philanthropies DPD Amendment – DCD and foundation representatives presented. Three properties adjacent to Bader's headquarters would be rezoned to Detailed Planned Development to allow an accessory parking lot and open space. No public testimony. Recommended for passage (5-0).
  • Item 6: TID 75 (Reed Street Yards) Amendment No. 4 – DCD's Dan Casanova presented. The $17.2 million amendment funds public infrastructure (e.g., 2nd Street reconstruction, 6th Street roundabout safety improvements, Canal Street track removal, Clementina Castro Park renovation, alley activation near Zócalo, and a parking structure feasibility study). The TID, originally created in 2009, has generated $315 million in incremental value. Discussion included the possibility of using TID for future streetcar expansion and the need for coordination. Recommended for adoption (5-0).
  • Item 7: TID 135 (1101-1113 W. Historic Mitchell Street) – DCD and developer Zuwena Cotton (BBE Investments & Development) presented. The TID would support converting the second floor of the former Grand Department Store into 25 workforce housing units (12 studios with dens, 13 one-bedrooms) at up to 60% AMI. The first floor will house a daycare and a prenatal clinic. Total investment: $9.4 million. The city would provide a $480,000 developer-financed TIF over 15 years at 5.75% interest. The project is consistent with the Near South Side Area Plan. Recommended for adoption (5-0).
  • Item 8: TID 121 (Bronzeville Arts & Tech Hub) Amendment No. 1 – DCD and developer Michael Adetoro (FIT Investment Group) presented. The amendment funds the commercial component ($11.1 million) of the mixed-use development, adding 29,000 square feet of creative industry space (offices, co-working, studio, performance space, cafe). Anchor tenants include Wisconsin Conservatory of Music and Black Arts MKE. Sources include New Market Tax Credits, loans, and a $1.645 million developer-financed TIF over 25 years at 3.5% interest. The housing phase (61 units) is fully leased. Recommended for adoption (5-0).
  • Item 9: TID 136 (Amani Homeownership Initiative) – DCD and multiple partners (Dominican Center, Habitat for Humanity, EMEM Group, Community Development Alliance, Ezekiel CDC) presented. The TID covers 358 parcels and will support 95 new affordable single-family homes: 50 by Habitat for Humanity (direct homeownership), 40 by EMEM Group (rental with lease-to-own after 15 years), 4 by Milwaukee Community Crossroads, and 1 by Ezekiel CDC. Total investment: $30 million, including a $3.57 million developer-financed TIF. Discussions focused on the 15-year rental period, support for existing homeowners (e.g., Habitat's critical repair program), and ensuring equity. The committee heard extensive debate about homeownership vs. rental, with Alds. Bauman and Coggs voicing concerns and support. Recommended for adoption (5-0).
  • Item 10: TID 132 (Midtown Commons) – DCD and developers Gorman & Company and One5 Olive presented. The TID will support 200 affordable rental units (40 at 30% AMI, 88 at 50% AMI, 72 at 80% AMI) on a parking lot adjacent to the former Walmart site. Total investment: $61 million, with a $3.95 million developer-financed TIF over 20 years at 5.85% interest. The project is in two phases, expected completion by fall 2028. Recommended for adoption (5-0).
  • Item 11: Lease with AFS Milwaukee, LLC (5825 W. Hope Avenue) – DCD's David Misky presented. The city would lease 50,000 square feet of the former Walmart building for municipal uses (e.g., Capital Drive Library) for $1 per year for 30 years. A lease option allows the city to back out due diligence. Discussion included the adjacent Piggly Wiggly lease and the status of other tenants. Recommended for adoption (5-0).
  • Item 12: UWM Ground Lease Amendment – DCD presented. The amendment extends the ground lease at 2185 N. Prospect Avenue and 1925 E. Kenilworth Place from 2071 to 2036 to align with the operating lease, with no financial risk to the city. Recommended for adoption (5-0).
  • Items 13-16: Tax-Deeded Property Sale-Backs – Four properties (920 S. 33rd St., 2976 N. 21st St., 3269-83 N. 11th St., 2859 N. 22nd St.) were authorized for sale-back to former owners. Each was recommended for adoption (5-0).
  • Item 17: Temporary Pause on Data Center Development – Ald. Marina Dimitrijevic presented the substitute ordinance for a one-year moratorium on data centers. City Attorney Evan Goyke and Joseph Dobbs explained that the moratorium requires a class one notice (30 days) and a public hearing at the City Plan Commission (CPC), which cannot be scheduled before the August meeting. The accompanying regulatory ordinance (substitute B) also needs a CPC hearing. The committee discussed the timeline: CPC on September 28, ZND on October 6, Common Council on October 13. Ald. Stamper moved to hold the item to the call of the chair, which prevailed (5-0). The public speakers' testimony was heard before the vote.

Key Outcomes

  • Held to Call of Chair: Items 1, 2, 3, and 17.
  • Recommended for Passage/Adoption (all 5-0): Items 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16.
  • Next Steps for Data Center Moratorium: The moratorium ordinance will be re-noticed for the CPC meeting on September 28, 2026, with a subsequent ZND committee hearing on October 6 and Common Council on October 13. The regulatory ordinance is also advancing through the ZCTC process.
  • The meeting adjourned at 12:18 p.m.

Meeting Transcript

Committee for Tuesday, July 28th, 2026 at 9.07 a.m. I'm Oliverman Bauman, Chair of the Committee. To my immediate right is Alderman Stamper, the Vice Chair to my far left, Alderman Spiker. To his right, Alderman DeAndre Jackson. And to my left is Chris Lee, our staff assistant. We'll be joined by Alderwoman Coggs shortly. First item on the agenda. We'll read them both since they're gonna be held. Item 1260362, substitute resolution relating to the designation of an area in the 15th Aldermanic District as a rental property inspection program district. Item two, file two six zero three six three, substitute ordinance relating to the establishment of a rental property inspection program. Alderman Stamper moves a whole of these two items to the call of the chair. Hearing no objection to that, so ordered. Thank you. Excellent. Moving on to item three, file two six zero three six eight. Communication from the Department of City Development, the Department of Neighborhood Services, and the Office of the City Attorney relating to the 21st century Road to Housing Act and its impact on the city's tax foreclosed housing inventory and related housing policies. I think we got some more people coming on this. I think uh the council president and LRB are also what's our next file. Uh why don't we go why don't we go to item uh we'll go to item four? Okay. And we'll until everybody's assembled. Uh okay, we'll hold item three to a later point in the meeting, going to item four, file two six zero one eight three, substitute ordinance correcting the mixed zoning of the parcel located at 1993 South Muskego Avenue on the west side of South Muskego Avenue, north of West Rogers Street in the Eighth Aldermanic District, and assigning the zoning to local business LB2 to the property. I think this is a mixed zoning case where you have one parcel with two zoning classifications. Any anybody here on this item? All right, well, we'll get to the looks like this meeting is gonna end real quick. All right, we'll go back to item three. Relating to the 21st century road to housing act and its impact on the city's tax foreclosed housing inventory and related housing policies. Okay, we're joined by our common council president. Do you want to take the leading? Sure. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you. Um, as many know this uh congressional road housing act has uh we'll have an impact on cities. And uh we just uh I wanted to get ahead of the curve in a sense and uh knowing that there's an enormous amount of codification that has to happen in this process for us to compete for whatever grants may be available through this and opportunities. Wanted to uh I know the National League of Cities is um has kind of a roadmap that they laid out for their membership. I'm attending uh council presidents um gathering in August. Housing is top of our issue, uh, one of the top issues that we'll be talking about, and uh more importantly, wanted to either hear from departments as we move into a budget process of what are the needs, uh, how are we getting ready? Uh, what are we doing to um compete? And just hear from departments uh what are they what do they need from us and to put out there uh for everyone else to hear how we're competing for some of these opportunities that come come out of the act. Excellent. Excellent. Who wants to take the laboring order here? I'm happy to. All right. Uh good morning, Glory Kilmer with the Department of City Development. Um at the table, I'm joined to my uh right by City Attorney Goickey and to my left by uh Decanter from the Department of City Development. Um I do know in the audience we have representatives from DNS and uh I believe CDGA. Um so the first item is we want to uh draw your attention to the uh attachment to the file. Uh so we did submit the uh uh bipartisan policy center.

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