CITY PLAN COMMISSION - 2026-01-26
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Milwaukee City Plan Commission approved several zoning and development items including expanding public hearing notification requirements from 200 to 250 feet, a right-of-way vacation at West Birch Avenue for HACM park development, a rezoning from RT-4 to LB-2 at 342 East Bay Street for an Italian wine bar, and a five-story office building at 350 South Water Street with a temporary deviation from 24-hour Riverwalk public access requirements until adjacent segments are constructed.
Key Decisions (8)
Expanded Notification Requirements for ZND Committee
Substitute ordinance increasing notification distance from 200 to 250 feet for zoning map amendments before the Zoning Neighborhoods and Development Committee, and requiring notice to all mailing addresses (not just property owners) within that radius.
Expanded Notification Requirements for CPC Public Hearings
Substitute ordinance increasing notification boundary from 200 to 250 feet for City Plan Commission public hearings on zoning map amendments, standardizing requirements with ZND and BOSA, and moving language into the zoning code from CPC bylaws.
Right-of-Way Vacation at West Birch Avenue
File 251259 vacating a triangular portion of unimproved right-of-way bounded by West Birch Avenue, North 66th Street, and North 67th Street in the 2nd Aldermanic District. The right-of-way was erroneously dedicated in 2018 and will revert to the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee (HACM) for park development.
Exterior Modifications at 1010 West Layton Avenue (Baraka Roastery)
File 251590 approving exterior building modifications for a coffee shop tenant (Baraka Roastery Inc) occupying approximately 2,900 square feet within an existing multi-tenant building in the Baraxis Layton development incentive zone overlay in the 13th Aldermanic District.
Rezoning at 342 East Bay Street from RT-4 to LB-2
File 251260 changing zoning from two-family residential (RT-4) to local business (LB-2) for property at 342 East Bay Street in the 14th Aldermanic District. The property will be combined with adjacent commercial property at 338 East Bay Street for an Italian wine and cocktail bar. Applicant: 338 East Bay Street LLC.
Park Place GPD Amendment for Assembly Hall Use at 11301 West Lake Park Drive
File 251261 approving the fourteenth amendment to the Park Place general plan development to add assembly hall and catering service as permitted uses for a vacant 40,000 square foot building in the 9th Aldermanic District. Applicant: Myana Lee. The space will be used primarily for cultural memorials and gatherings for the Hmong community with a commercial kitchen.
Riverwalk Deviation at 350 South Water Street
File 251591 approving deviation from Riverwalk SPRAZ performance standards for a five-story office building at 350 South Water Street in the 12th Aldermanic District. Applicant: Pontus LLC. Deviation allows temporary non-public access until adjacent Riverwalk segments are constructed, and partial frontage construction due to railroad bridge obstruction.
Riverwalk and Building Plans at 350 South Water Street
File 251592 approving Riverwalk and associated plans for a five-story office building (approximately 30,000 square feet) at 350 South Water Street in the 12th Aldermanic District. Applicant: Pontus LLC. Building includes ground floor parking and four floors of office space with 29 feet of Riverwalk frontage constructed.
Zoning Changes (1)
342 East Bay Street, 14th Aldermanic District
338 East Bay Street LLC
Development Activity (5)
Westlawn West Park
Two-phase park development on vacated right-of-way. Phase 1: park only with May 11 deadline. Phase 2: pavilion, playground, seating walls for educational space. Will include lighting and security cameras.
Baraka Roastery Coffee Shop
Approximately 2,900 square feet coffee shop within existing multi-tenant building. Facade improvements include additional glazing, modernized storefront elements, removal of existing awnings, and new metal canopy. Franchise from Illinois expanding to Milwaukee.
Italian Wine and Cocktail Bar
Renovation of historic tavern building (operating since early 1900s) into Italian lounge, wine bar, and cocktail bar with food service. Includes new patio, landscaping, and fence improvements. Liquor license already approved.
Hmong Community Event Space
Conversion of vacant 40,000 square foot one-story building into assembly hall with 1,200 person maximum capacity. Includes commercial kitchen for on-site events and potential lease to food trucks and catering services. 342 existing parking spaces.
350 South Water Street Office Building
Five-story office building, approximately 30,000 square feet total. Ground floor parking and lobby, four floors of office space (approximately 6,000 square feet per floor). Includes 29 feet of Riverwalk frontage with bench, plantings, and harp light fixture.
Market Signals (5)
Commercial Demand
Middle Eastern coffee shop franchise (Hamawi/Baraka Roastery) expanding from Illinois to Milwaukee indicates growing demand for specialty food and beverage concepts in suburban commercial corridors.
Commercial Demand
Hmong community seeking large-scale event space (40,000 SF, 1,200 capacity) for cultural gatherings indicates underserved demand for ethnic community facilities in Milwaukee.
Infrastructure
City continuing to implement Riverwalk system through public-private partnerships, with over five miles constructed since 1994 and 70% city cost-sharing policy for new segments.
Sentiment
Harbor District CEO expressed support for office development at 350 South Water Street, noting it could be catalytic for the area despite temporary Riverwalk access limitations.
Housing Demand
Historic Third Ward and Harbor District continuing transformation from industrial to mixed-use live-work-play neighborhoods per adopted area plans.