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Milwaukee Meetings

ZONING, NEIGHBORHOODS & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE - 2025-12-09

1h 13m12,448 words
21approvedcommercialdeferredmixed useresidentialzoningpublic hearingrezoningMilwaukee, WI

Meeting Intelligence Preview

18
Decisions
1
Zoning Changes
4
Market Signals
3
Developments

Meeting Summary

The Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee approved multiple property sales back to former owners under new state statute provisions, authorized a rezoning amendment at 1536-1540 W North Avenue to permit a social service facility (Family Matters counseling), and approved four tax increment district extensions generating $2.3 million for affordable housing programs. A contentious discussion regarding $224,000 in funding for Marcus Center parking structure repairs was held to call of chair after the administration opposed transferring DPW funds.

Key Decisions (18)

Approved

Reappointment of Katrina Crane to City Plan Commission

Katrina Crane reappointed to serve a third term on the City Plan Commission by the mayor.

Vote: unanimous
Tabled

Marcus Center Parking Structure Funding

Discussion of $224,000 transfer from DPW transportation fund to Marcus Center for parking structure capital maintenance. Administration opposes the transfer, preferring funds be used for parking enforcement vehicles. Comptroller review found $1.6 million in interfund transfers and $2.9 million in administrative allocations over 2010-2020 that warrant further investigation.

Conditions: Administration exploring alternative financing through MEDC loan with city surety
Approved

Sale of 4500-4506 W Burleigh Street to 3706 Property Investment LLC

Authorization to sell city-owned tax deed property at 4500-4506 W Burleigh Street (7,300 sq ft multi-story commercial building in Sunset Heights, 7th District) to Antoine Williams/3706 Property Investment LLC for $2,000. Buyer plans $500,000 rehabilitation budget. Property acquired through tax foreclosure 11/07/2017.

Vote: unanimous
Approved

Buyback of 3156 North 31st Street to Former Owner

Sale back to former owner of tax deed property at 3156 North 31st Street in 7th District under new state statute provisions for non-single family owner occupied properties.

Vote: unanimousConditions: Former owner must pay back taxes owed plus city costs and expenses
Approved

Buyback of 2937A North 50th Street to Former Owner

Sale back to former owner of occupied tax deed property at 2937A North 50th Street in 7th District.

Vote: unanimousConditions: Former owner must pay back taxes owed plus city costs and expenses
Approved

Buyback of 207 West Walker Street to Former Owner

Sale back to former owner of tax deed property at 207 West Walker Street in 12th District.

Vote: unanimousConditions: Former owner must pay back taxes owed plus city costs and expenses
Approved

Buyback of 2635 South 28th Street to Former Owner

Sale back to former owner of tax deed property at 2635 South 28th Street in 8th District.

Vote: unanimousConditions: Former owner must pay back taxes owed plus city costs and expenses
Approved

Buyback of 5055A North 41st Street to Former Owner

Sale back to former owner of tax deed property at 5055A North 41st Street in 1st District.

Vote: unanimousConditions: Former owner must pay back taxes owed plus city costs and expenses
Approved

Buyback of 5914-16 North 37th Street to Former Owner

Sale back to former owner of tax deed property at 5914-16 North 37th Street in 1st District.

Vote: unanimousConditions: Former owner must pay back taxes owed plus city costs and expenses
Approved

Buyback of 5277A North 34th Street to Former Owner

Sale back to former owner of tax deed property at 5277A North 34th Street in 1st District.

Vote: unanimousConditions: Former owner must pay back taxes owed plus city costs and expenses
Approved

Buyback of 2454 North 23rd Street to Former Owner

Sale back to former owner of tax deed property at 2454 North 23rd Street in 15th District.

Vote: unanimousConditions: Former owner must pay back taxes owed plus city costs and expenses
Approved

Buyback of 2564 North 35th Street to Former Owner

Sale back to former owner of tax deed property at 2564 North 35th Street in 15th District.

Vote: unanimousConditions: Former owner must pay back taxes owed plus city costs and expenses
Approved

Buyback of 1434 North 26th Street to Former Owner

Sale back to former owner of tax deed property at 1434 North 26th Street in 15th District.

Vote: unanimousConditions: Former owner must pay back taxes owed plus city costs and expenses
Approved

Rezoning Amendment for 1536-1540 W North Avenue - Family Matters Social Service Facility

Amendment to detailed plan development for Legacy Lots to add social service facility as permitted use in 2,000 sq ft first floor commercial space. Prospective tenant Family Matters will provide counseling services to parents of exploited youth, operating 11AM-7PM Monday-Friday with 4-5 clients at any time.

Vote: unanimousConditions: Future social service uses limited to training, education, counseling, therapy; max 15 persons on premises; hours 7AM-8PM
Approved

TID 42 Midtown One-Year Extension for Affordable Housing

One-year extension of Tax Incremental District 42 (Midtown) to capture increment for affordable housing programs as part of 2026 budget.

Vote: unanimousConditions: Funds allocated to Housing Trust Fund, In Rem Property Maintenance, Strong Home Loans, and Down Payment Assistance
Approved

TID 39 Hilton Hotel One-Year Extension for Affordable Housing

One-year extension of Tax Incremental District 39 (Hilton Hotel) generating approximately $900,000 for affordable housing programs.

Vote: unanimousConditions: Funds allocated to Housing Trust Fund, In Rem Property Maintenance, Strong Home Loans, and Down Payment Assistance
Approved

TID 46 Grand Avenue/New Arcade One-Year Extension for Affordable Housing

One-year extension of Tax Incremental District 46 (Grand Avenue/New Arcade) for affordable housing programs.

Vote: unanimousConditions: Funds allocated to Housing Trust Fund, In Rem Property Maintenance, Strong Home Loans, and Down Payment Assistance
Approved

TID 51 Granville Station One-Year Extension for Affordable Housing

One-year extension of Tax Incremental District 51 (Granville Station) for affordable housing programs.

Vote: unanimousConditions: Funds allocated to Housing Trust Fund, In Rem Property Maintenance, Strong Home Loans, and Down Payment Assistance

Zoning Changes (1)

Detailed Plan Development (LB2 use list)Detailed Plan Development with Social Service Facility added
Approved

1536-1540 W North Avenue, 15th District

Legacy Redevelopment Corporation / Family Matters

Development Activity (3)

4500-4506 W Burleigh Street Rehabilitation

Developer: Antoine Williams / 3706 Property Investment LLCLocation: 4500-4506 W Burleigh Street, Sunset Heights neighborhood, 7th DistrictType: CommercialStatus: Approved

7,300 square foot multi-story commercial building with severe deferred maintenance. Purchase price $2,000 with $500,000 rehabilitation budget planned. Building is structurally sound but interior needs significant work.

Legacy Lots Mixed Use Development - Family Matters Tenant

Developer: Legacy Redevelopment Corporation (owner) / Family Matters (tenant)Location: 1536-1540 W North Avenue, 15th DistrictType: Mixed-UseStatus: Approved

2,000 sq ft first floor commercial space in existing 64-unit mixed use development (former Blommer Ice Cream Company building). New tenant Family Matters to provide parent counseling services.

Marcus Center Parking Structure Redevelopment

Developer: TBD - Original selected developer (Edison project) now bankruptLocation: Marcus Center for Performing Arts siteType: CommercialStatus: Under Review

City-owned land with PAC-owned parking structure. Original RFP developer defunct. $224,000 needed for elevator repairs and concrete work. City back to square one on finding new developer/buyer.

Market Signals (4)

Housing Demand

City extending four TIDs to generate $2.3 million for affordable housing programs including Housing Trust Fund ($300K), In Rem Property Maintenance ($400K), Strong Homeowners ($1M), and Down Payment Assistance ($600K).

Commercial Demand

Marcus Center parking structure redevelopment stalled after selected developer went bankrupt; construction market challenges and inflation/tariffs cited as factors affecting developer viability.

Infrastructure

New state statute enabling former owners to buy back tax-foreclosed properties is generating significant transaction volume for non-single family properties requiring council approval.

Sentiment

City administration and council at impasse over $224,000 Marcus Center funding; administration prefers alternative financing through MEDC loan rather than DPW fund transfer.