42-Unit Apartment, 3 Blocks From Atwater: Public Comment Date Set

SHOREWOOD, WI — A proposed four-story, 42 unit apartment development on Capitol Drive, three blocks from Atwater Park, will be back open for public comment Tuesday during a Shorewood Plan Commission meeting.

The apartment would combine three mixed-use Capitol Drive parcels: 2418, 2420 and 2428 East Capitol Drive. Existing structures on these lots — a business and a single-family structure would be demolished. The lots would then be combined to make way for the new development proposed by Catalyst Partners.

The final building would have parking on the ground level and a mix of studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units on the top three floors. The developer intends to make 20 percent, or at least 8 units, affordable housing — something that Shorewood is short of, according to a study performed for the village in 2020.

For these units to qualify as affordable housing, they must be affordable to people making less than half of what the average Milwaukee County resident earns per month, proposal documents stated.

Catalyst Partners sought a special exception that reduces how much off-street parking would be required at meetings earlier this year. The developer would install 43 off-street parking stalls instead of the mandated 74 stalls. The exception was granted but quickly appealed, leaving the proposed development in a state of limbo.

The East Capitol Neighbors Association (ECNA) has raised issues and submitted an appeal against the special exceptions granted to the proposed project.

ECNA's appeal stated that the proposed development would stress an already-stressed street parking system, reduce nearby property values and create hazardous traffic in the neighborhood. The appeal was granted, opening the development back up for consideration by the Plan Commission and public debate.

Further relevant materials will be released by the Shorewood Plan Commission on Friday. As directed by the Board of Appeals decision, the Plan Commission must demonstrate how they are following factors within Village Code §535-51 B. The Plan Commission must also accept new public comments and new arguments from the applicant.

Tuesday, June 1 at 6:30 p.m., the Shorewood Plan Commission will revisit the issue for public comment. The meeting will be held over Zoom.