1000 Friends of Wisconsin and Narvarte Development hosted an event discussing zoning and its impact on housing on September 18th at Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s ThriveOn King development.
During the first half of the Zoned Out! event, Kirk E. Harris, J.D., PhD presented the historical context of zoning. His stirring presentation detailed how racial segregation and disenfranchisement have been baked into American culture and legal structures from the country’s founding. Zoning was codified into law in the early twentieth century when the Supreme Court was upholding “separate but equal” and racially restrictive covenants were proliferating. Dr. Harris is a professor in School of Architecture and Urban Planning and the Founder and Director of the Center for Equity Practice and Planning Justice at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
The second half of the event was a panel discussion moderated by Montavius Jones of Narvarte Development. Building from a shared understanding of the origins of zoning, panelists examine the City of Milwaukee’s proposed Growing MKE plan to update its zoning code increasing the varieties of homes allowed to be built through the municipality.
Panelists consider how the current state of housing development, changing household size, racial segregation, and trust of government factor into crafting municipal housing policy and the reception of this planning effort.
Panelist John D. Johnson stressed the need to couple policy with an understanding of the housing market to reasonably predict the policy’s outcomes. Ariam Kesete articulated how the current zoning regulations add complications and costs to her work developing housing and commercial spaces. She cautioned that these costs are passed to renters and costumers, burdening everyone with higher prices on housing and services. Kirk E. Harris stressed updating zoning is “necessary but insufficient” to create equitable housing development. He warned that the market would not produce housing accessible to everyone in Milwaukee. Maricha Harris urged the audience and City leadership to consider personal histories of residents when relating municipal policy. She posited that community engagement needs to be on ongoing process that is started before a particular policy change initiative to build trust and common understanding.
While each panelist adding their perspective to the conversation, all recognized that zoning is only one part of a city’s larger housing policy. To understand the larger context and best shape Milwaukee as a place where everyone has access to affordable housing, we need to consider other existing housing national, state, and municipal policy while advocating for addition community engagement and policy development.
Panelists
- Kirk E. Harris, J.D., PhD – Founder and Director of The Center for Equity Practice & Planning Justice, UW-Milwaukee
- Ariam Kesete – President, AK Development
- John D. Johnson – Lubar Center Research Fellow, Marquette University Law School
- Maricha Harris – Executive Director, Dominican Center
- Montavius Jones – Principal, Narvarte Development
Media Coverage
Additional Resources