View Draft 2040 Comprehensive Plan Document
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Notice of Public Hearing Ordinance to Adopt the City of West Allis 2040 Comprehensive Plan A public hearing on the Ordinance to Adopt the City of West Allis 2040 Comprehensive Plan will be held at the Common Council meeting on Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at 6:30pm. This Common Council meeting will be held virtually to help protect our community from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. (This means no one will be permitted inside the City Hall to view the meeting) If you wish to view the meeting, you can watch the meeting as it is livestreamed on the City of West Allis YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/westalliscitychannel/live). You can also watch live and recorded broadcasts through your cable network, via Spectrum (channel 25, West Allis residents only) and AT&T U-Verse (Channel 99). If you require an alternate format of viewing the meeting, please call 414-302-8294 and leave a message prior to 11:00 a.m. CST on Wednesday, February 17, 2021. Members of the public may submit comments or questions to the Common Council regarding this public hearing by emailing your comments or questions to [email protected] or drop a paper copy addressed to City Clerk in the City Hall drop box by 8:00 a.m. on February 17, 2021. (City Hall – 7525 W. Greenfield Avenue) This plan is an update to the City's existing 2030 Comprehensive Plan. Updating the 2030 Comprehensive Plan will be conducted in two phases. This hearing is related to the Phase 1 update, which will include minimal revisions to all sections of the City's 2030 Comprehensive Plan, including land use, housing, transportation, utilities, economic development, parks and open space, and intergovernmental relationships, in order to meet statutory requirements. Phase 2 of the update will take place over the next several years and will include a full overhaul of each plan element. Copies of the draft plan materials will be available on the City website, as well as at City Hall and the Library, during the hours that these facilities are open to the public, from February 5, 2021 through February 17, 2021. Written comments on comprehensive plan updates may be delivered, mailed, or emailed to Steve Schaer, Manager of Planning & Zoning at 7525 W. Greenfield Avenue, West Allis, WI 53214 or at [email protected]. Draft 2040 Comprehensive Plan February 4, 2021 Draft CITY OF WEST ALLIS RESOLUTION R-2020-0658 RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION STRATEGY FOR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATES WHEREAS, the Common Council of the City of West Allis on February 15, 2011 adopted a comprehensive plan under the authority of and procedures established by Sec. 66.1001(4) of Wisconsin Statutes; and, WHEREAS, Sec. 66.1001(4) of Wisconsin Statutes requires that the Common Council adopt written procedures designed to foster public participation during plan amendments and updates, and that such written procedures provide for a wide distribution of proposed plan amendments, an opportunity for the public to submit written comments on the plan, and an opportunity for the Common Council to respond to such comments; and, WHEREAS, the Common Council believes that meaningful public involvement is important to ensure the resulting plan and amendments reflect the wishes and expectations of the public; and, WHEREAS, the Common Council believes that adjusting the first year of the comprehensive plan to one that is more closely aligned with the release of decennial Census data will allow for a more accurate and robust planning process, not only for the upcoming comprehensive plan but for all comprehensive plans in the decades that follow; and, WHEREAS, the Common Council supports a minimal update to the current comprehensive plan; and, WHEREAS, the Common Council expects a more robust plan update and public engagement process be conducted following the release of 2020 Census data; and, WHEREAS, the attached policy entitled, “Public Participation Strategy for Comprehensive Plan Updates” includes procedures to foster public participation, ensure wide distribution of proposed plan amendments, provide an opportunity for the public to submit written comments on the plan, and provide an opportunity for the Common Council to respond to such comments; and, WHEREAS, the “Public Participation Strategy for Comprehensive Plan Updates” shall be utilized and followed throughout the plan amendment and update process. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Common Council of the City of West Allis adopts the attached policy entitled, “Public Participation Strategy for Comprehensive Plan Updates” as its public participation procedures for proposed amendments to the comprehensive plan, meeting the requirements established by Sec. 66.1001(4) of Wisconsin Statutes. SECTION 1: ADOPTION “R-2020-0658” of the City Of West Allis Municipal Resolutions is hereby added as follows: A D O P T I O N R-2020-0658(Added) PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY OF WEST ALLIS COUNCIL NOVEMBER 04, 2020. AYE NAY ABSENT ABSTAIN Ald. Angelito Tenorio X Ald. Vince Vitale X Ald. Tracy Stefanski X Ald. Marty Weigel X Ald. Suzzette Grisham X Ald. Danna Kuehn X Ald. Thomas Lajsic X Ald. Dan Roadt X Ald. Rosalie Reinke X Ald. Kevin Haass X Presiding Officer Attest Rebecca Grill, City Clerk, City Of Dan Devine, Mayor City Of West Allis West Allis 2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 1: Introduction WHAT IS A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN? Wisconsin State Comprehensive Planning Law (Statute 66.1001) requires cities, counties, and other local units of government to enact a Comprehensive Plan every 10 years. The Comprehensive Plan, which covers a 20-year planning period, is intended to act as a guide for development and decision making related to land use, housing, transportation, utilities, economic development, agriculture, and intergovernmental relationships. The City of West Allis adopted the West Allis Comprehensive Plan 2030 in February of 2011. The 2030 Plan focused on identifying and supporting redevelopment opportunities throughout the city, as well as promoting sustainable development practices. This update, the West Allis 2040 Comprehensive Plan, replaces the 2030 Plan as the City’s guide for development and decision making. 2040 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE PROCESS Over the past decade, West Allis has experienced a renewed level of investment, growth, and change. As our community continues to evolve, a collective future vision, a shared set of priorities, and a united plan is needed to effectively maintain our momentum and to guide us when faced with everyday decision-making and complex choices alike. The City, over the past 10 years, has experienced an overall growth in terms of residential and commercial value. Although the City is land locked and fully developed, West Allis has continually increased its value through redevelopment efforts. The City’s equalized value has increased from $3.5 Billion in 2005 to over $4.0 Billion in 2019. In looking forward to planning and visioning for the next 20 years, we have acknowledged that the timeline for updating the City’s Comprehensive Plan is not well aligned with the release of decennial Census data. Having access to updated Census information will provide a more accurate reflection of the city today. Additionally, such information will allow for a more robust planning process, as citizens and elected officials will have a renewed set of factors to consider as they envision the future. By re-establishing our start date to after the release of Census data, we ensure that all future comprehensive plans, for generations to come, will be completed with the most current and up-to-date information available. As such, the City’s current approach to updating the Comprehensive Plan is intended to be conducted in two phases. • The first phase will take place immediately and include minimal updates to the previously adopted 2030 Comprehensive Plan, in order to meet statutory requirements. • The second phase will take place over the next several years and will include a full overhaul of each plan element, including extensive public involvement in the planning and visioning process. This two-phased approach will allow the City to fully engage the public in the planning process and will provide for the use of more current data as we revaluate each plan section. This first phase of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan reflects the long-term priorities of West Allis citizens, identifies short-term action items, and creates a space where decision-makers can turn for guidance and consistency. This Plan translates community values and ideas into policies and action items, and is intended to serve as a foundational pillar within the larger framework of our local democratic process. 2040 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ELEMENTS The 2040 Comprehensive Plan includes ten plan elements, each with its own unique goal intended to guide us in development and decision-making processes. As we work towards realizing our collective vision of the city, we must ask ourselves if our efforts serve the following goals: Neighborhoods Goal: To preserve and enhance the existing diversity of uses within our neighborhoods. Economic Development Goal: To provide a competitive and diverse economic atmosphere that attracts investment and employment. Housing Goal: To maintain a variety of housing types at a range of densities, styles, and costs to accommodate the needs and desires of existing and future residents. Transportation Goal: To provide a safe and efficient multi-modal transportation network that will effectively serve the travel needs within the city and region. Parks and Open Spaces Goal: To protect and enhance our existing parks and natural resources. Cultural Resources Goal: To preserve the historic character of the community’s social and architectural diversity. Community Facilities Goal: to continue to provide efficient, affordable, and sustainable services to our residents. Redevelopment Goal: To identify and transform underutilized properties throughout the city. Land Use Goal: To encourage the continuation and future development of compatible land uses within our urban community.