Plan Commission approves ordinance to expand zoning‑hearing notice radius to 250 feet

The Milwaukee City Plan Commission voted unanimously Jan. 26 to adopt substitute ordinances that increase mailed notice for certain zoning public hearings from 200 to 250 feet and to require mailing to all mailing addresses within that boundary.

DCD staff presented the two related files, telling commissioners that the change "increases the notification distance to 250 feet" and will align City Plan Commission (CPC) rules with existing Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development (ZND) practices. Staff said the change moves the requirement into the zoning code rather than CPC bylaws to create a single, consistent standard.

President Perez provided a written statement read into the record saying the effort aims to "provide broader and uniform notice" in response to community requests made during discussions of growing MKE and related cases.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about whether renters as well as property owners receive notices; staff confirmed mailings have included building owners and renters and that the update standardizes requirements across the listed bodies. The commission took separate motions and roll-call votes on each substitute ordinance; both passed unanimously.

The action will amend the zoning code notice language and (per staff) will be followed by a bylaws amendment at the next CPC meeting so internal rules match the revised code.