New West Area Plan will be used to guide land use, housing, urban design, parks and open space, and transportation within our area

Dear Friends and Neighbors in District 11,

I was one of the Alders who introduced a resolution on November 22nd directing the City Planning Division to begin work on a new West Area Plan.  I decided it would be in our best interest if I was a sponsor because I don't want District 11 to be excluded from any discussions or meetings over the next four months.  The November 22nd resolution was referred to the Plan Commission's December 12th meeting, and is expected to be back at the Common Council for a vote on January 3, 2023.

The West Area Plan will be used to guide land use, housing, urban design, parks and open space, and transportation within our area. City staff are expected to work with residents, community organizations, neighborhood associations, and local businesses to chart a course of action for the next 10 years.

To be honest, I am not happy that our district was divided into the West Area Plan and a future Near West Area Plan. The planning boundary is: Shorewood Hills/Lake Mendota/Middleton on the north, the Beltline on the west and south, and Midvale Boulevard on the east. As you can see on the map, the West Area Plan includes our entire district except the Westmorland neighborhood because Midvale Blvd was used as a boundary. 

To learn more, a project website, including a signup list for email updates, has been created.  Please contact me with any questions, concerns and ideas for what you would like included in this area plan and look for further updates on the project website, including a schedule for the initial round of public engagement, starting early next year.