Capitol Drive Development Inches Ahead Through Public Backlash

SHOREWOOD, WI — The Shorewood Plan Commission voted 5-2 Tuesday to grant a special parking exception to Catalyst Partners, moving a contentious East Capitol Drive apartment project one step closer to eventual construction.

The project had already gained a special parking exception earlier in the year, but an appeal filed by the East Capitol Neighbors Association successfully knocked the project back for reconsideration. The Plan Commission once again granted that special parking exception Tuesday.

The proposed development is a four-story building on Stowell Avenue and Capitol Drive. The first floor would contain the apartment's parking spaces, while the top three floors would contain a mix of studio, one and two-bedroom apartments. The development would combine three land parcels: 2418, 2420 and 2428 East Capitol Drive. Existing structures on these lots, a Sunseekers and single-family home, would be demolished.

The exception allows for Catalyst Partners to construct 43 parking spaces for its proposed development even though Village code mandates upwards of 70 parking spaces would be required. The developer showed in documents that it believes only 51 parking spots would be necessary for the development. That leaves at least eight parking spots left to street parking —a problem for many neighbors.

Nearly 100 people attended the meeting Tuesday night. Many longtime area residents spoke out against the parking situation, stating that they already struggle to find street parking in the neighborhood.

Although the meeting was only for the parking exception, further comments were raised by the public about the possibility of the development creating a dangerous intersection with too much traffic. Other comments submitted by the public stated the project's density was too much or that nearby property values will go down. Among the slew of public statements against the project, one individual spoke in favor.

"This is a project that's actually going to help our future," Shorewood resident Bruce Colburn said during in the meeting. "This is not the Shorewood I know, let's look forward to a new Shorewood and a community that works together."

After over an hour, public comment was closed for the Plan Commission to finish its procedure. Per the Village Board of Appeals decision, the Commission was required to more fully consider how granting a special exception will affect the neighborhood.

Toward the end of the meeting, Village Trustee Tammy Bockhorst commented on the project and the public response it solicited.

"Do we want to be a Village that is open and inclusive, one that promotes multimodal transportation opportunities?" Bockhorst said. "Who else is going to come to develop here if we shoot them down tonight on a parking code?

At the end of the meeting, Village President Ann McKaig raised a question toward the public Zoom crowd that remained.

"Raise your hand if you are against the development," McKaig said.

In the end, the Plan Commission decided to vote in favor of granting the special exception for parking with a 5-2 vote. Commission members Barbara Kiely Miller and Eric Couto voted against the special exception.

Miller dissented from the Commission earlier in the meeting, stating that more consideration should be given to the neighbors against the project.

The decision does not cement the development. However, it is a first step toward eventual construction. Catalyst Partners will now have to get further designs approved by the Village.