Zoning regulations play a role in shaping a community's development by dictating how land can be used. In Wauwatosa, we are starting a project to update our zoning code to better reflect the goals outlined in the recently adopted Tosa Tomorrow 2045 Comprehensive Plan. This initiative, conducted in partnership with Houseal Lavigne, aims to ensure that our zoning regulations support the community's vision for future growth, particularly in addressing housing needs and promoting a variety of housing options. The following outlines the upcoming steps and public engagement opportunities in this process.
How this relates to the city's comprehensive plan
The zoning project directly relates to the comprehensive plan. It is based on feedback we received from the comprehensive plan process, which included significant public participation. Within the Comprehensive Plan’s implementation action matrix (starting on page 110 of the plan), there are zoning related items that we might review. Three examples include:
- “Consider updating residential zoning designations to allow for a greater variety of housing types while maintaining existing neighborhood character”
- “Evaluate the zoning code to consider ways to facilitate missing middle housing development”
- “Utilize targeted incentives, flexible zoning, Public-Private Partnerships, and streamlined review processes to direct development in key areas”
The anticipated public meetings are as follows:
- Plan Commission meeting on April 7, 2025: Review the Targeted Chapter Diagnostics and Preliminary Recommendations Report. Opportunity for public comment. The information will be posted to the Meeting Portal mid-week.
- Plan Commission meeting on August 25, 2025: Present recommended zoning text amendments to the commission with an opportunity for public comment.
- Common Council meeting in late Summer 2025: Presentation/public hearing of the refined recommendations for potential adoption. Opportunity for public comment.
- Plan Commission meeting in late Summer/early Fall 2025: Consider recommended zoning amendments with an opportunity for public comment.
- Common Council meeting in late Summer/early Fall 2025: Consider adopting the recommended amendments
