Number
201357
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
100235, 100247, 160266, 161076, 161163
Sponsor
ALD. BAUMAN
Title
Substitute resolution directing the Department of City Development to prepare a strategic update to the Downtown Area Comprehensive Plan, part of the City of Milwaukee’s Overall Comprehensive Plan, and authorizing a transfer of funds from the Capital Improvements Advance Planning Fund to a subaccount for the Downtown Area Comprehensive Plan Update, in the 3rd, 4th, and 6th Aldermanic Districts.
Analysis
This substitute resolution directs the Department of City Development to prepare a strategic update to the Downtown Area Comprehensive Plan that, upon approval of the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, will amend the existing Downtown Area Comprehensive Plan as part of the City of Milwaukee’s Overall Comprehensive Plan and authorizes a transfer of funds from the Capital Improvements Advance Planning Fund to a subaccount for the Downtown Comprehensive Plan Update.
Body
Whereas, Section 66.1001, Wisconsin Statutes, requires that all cities adopt a comprehensive plan and specifies that comprehensive plans shall be updated no less than once every 10 years; and
Whereas, On October 12, 2010 the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee (“Common Council”) adopted Common Council File No. 100235, approving the Downtown Area Comprehensive Plan (the “Plan”) as an element of the Comprehensive Plan of the City of Milwaukee; and
Whereas, The City of Milwaukee’s (“City”) procedures for comprehensive planning call for the creation of plan updates, based on emerging land use issues and opportunities, neighborhood input and other factors; and
Whereas, Major changes have occurred since the adoption of the Plan, and many of the recommendations and catalytic projects called for in the plan have been implemented or are underway; and
Whereas, The Plan is in need of a strategic update to guide land use decisions, redevelopment of key sites, and improvements to streets and public spaces, as well as recommend economic development, zoning, sustainability, and housing strategies for the next 10 to 15 years; and
Whereas, The Downtown Comprehensive Planning Area is generally bound by West Walnut Street and East Lyon Street to the north, West Clybourn Street and the Menomonee River to the south, Interste-43 to the west, and Lincoln Memorial Drive to the east; and
Whereas, In 2015, the Greater Milwaukee Committee, the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, the Milwaukee Urban League, LISC-Milwaukee, and the City of Milwaukee launched MKE United to create a shared and inclusive vision for the greater downtown, and developed six transformative directions for Downtown and surrounding neighborhoods; and
Whereas, The Downtown Plan Update will incorporate the transformative directions established by MKE United to advance these inclusive goals through the Downtown Plan; and
Whereas, The Downtown Business Improvement District (“BID21”) has allocated $100,000 of BID21 funds to support the Downtown Area Plan Update and will partner with the Department of City Development (“DCD”)to lead the planning process; and
Whereas, The Department of Public Works, the Historic King Drive BID, Westown Association, MKE United, and Milwaukee County will each serve as core partners in developing the Downtown Plan Update; and
Whereas, Pursuant to the update and amendment procedure for comprehensive planning adopted by Common Council File No. 161076, the planning process will involve extensive community engagement and public participation; and
Whereas, Public participation in the planning process is critical to ensure that the Plan Update reflects the goals of the local community and considers issues identified by key stakeholder groups; and
Whereas, The preparation of the plan update will require community engagement and technical assistance from outside consultants, and funding will be required to carry out those activities and to serve as a match to the BID21 contribution to the project; and
Whereas, The current unencumbered balances in the Capital Improvements Advance Planning Fund cannot be expended unless they are transferred to a specific subaccount; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that DCD is hereby directed to prepare a strategic update to the Plan; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the updated Plan will require approval by the City Plan Commission and the Common Council prior to its adoption as part of the overall Comprehensive Plan of the City; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City Comptroller is directed to transfer the amount of $50,000 from the Capital Improvements Advance Planning Fund Account No. UR01221000A to be allocated to the Plan Update Subaccount No. UR01280158 to be used by DCD to support the preparation of a strategic update to the Plan; and, be it
Further Resolved, That DCD is directed to enter into such contracts and agreements as necessary to update the Plan.
Drafter
DCD:Kyle.Gast:kcg
02/16/21