How should Tosa look in 20 years? Map out what you think for the city's comprehensive plan
Safer streets for pedestrians and bikers, more spots to gather at in West Tosa and mixed-use apartments.
Those are a few of the ideas people have already shared for the future of Wauwatosa. City staff members are collecting feedback to craft the city's Tosa Tomorrow 2045 Comprehensive Plan, which will serve as a sort of blueprint for the next 20 years in Wauwatosa.
“It’s not just about planning and zoning, it’s really anything and everything about the city,” said Tamara Szudy, the planning and zoning manager at the Wauwatosa Development Department. Szudy works with consultants at Houseal Lavigne, an urban planning firm with an office in Chicago, to collect community input for this new plan.
Wisconsin requires municipalities like Wauwatosa to have a comprehensive plan, according to Szudy. Although the city has done area plan updates, the last time Wauwatosa made an entirely new comprehensive plan was in 2008, she said.
Whatever feedback Szudy and her team receive in this community input process will shape the next 20 years of development and changes in the city. She wants to hear ideas from anyone who cares about and enjoys spending time in Wauwatosa, whether they live there or not.
“The more people we can get involved the better," Szudy said.
How to share your thoughts for Wauwatosa's Comprehensive Plan:
Fill out a community questionnaire that takes about 15 minutes. The survey will be open until Dec. 29, Szudy said.
Is there an intersection that you think is too dangerous or a lot you'd like to see built up? You can create your own map and leave comments and suggested improvements on those exact locations. See the 313 ideas people have already left on the map for the Comprehensive Plan.
Attend a workshop. The next public event related to the comprehensive plan is Feb. 15 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Wauwatosa Public Works, 11100 W. Walnut Road. This is an event specific to plans for the subareas of North Avenue, from the western city limits to the Menomonee River (6th and 7th District) and Blue Mound Road, from the western city limits to Interstate-41 (3rd District).
Residents are already saying what they think should be improved in Tosa
Here are some of the top recommendations people have already made on the map:
“People use wells st between 68th and Hawley as a cut through to avoid traffic on wisconsin ave. There are no stop (signs) between 68th and hawley on wells allowing people to get up to 40-50 mph. Stop signs would be appreciated as there are many kids at play, walkers, and bikers,” one person commented.
“Most of Mayfair Road south of Burleigh is lacking in greenery or aesthetic appeal. Some sort of shrubs, trees, or other greenery could really improve the appearance. It would feel more in place with the rest of Tosa,” another person said.
“I like the City’s bicycle boulevard network but would love to see enhanced infrastructure on these streets, and other preferred bike routes, beyond the signage there now. I’m picturing curb extensions, traffic circles, etc. creating an interconnected network of low stress routes that tie in to more robust cycle infrastructure like protected and/or separated bike lanes and trails," one commenter said.
“We need community gathering and hang out locations on W North Ave where neighbors and friends can go to relax. East Tosa has tons of community locations - breweries, pubs, nice restaurants, cafes, taphouses, etc. - West Tosa needs some of that love," one person said.
Youth also shared their thoughts Nov. 8 at the Wauwatosa Library. City staff asked kids to draw on two maps and answer two questions: 1). Tell us something you like about Wauwatosa, 2). Tell us something that needs improvement in Wauwatosa.
Here are a few highlights, according to communications director Eva Ennamorato:
"I’m in STEM and Future Cities. Does Wauwatosa use solar? Can we use more solar?"
"My brother and I were biking near Hartung Park, and he was almost hit by a car. Can we improve things there?"
"Hart Park is my favorite place to hang out."
"The library should have a playground."
After you share your thoughts on Wauwatosa's Comprehensive Plan, what comes next?
Szudy said the plan should be well developed in the summer or fall of 2024. During that time, the Steering Committee will meet to talk about the plan and there will be a workshop for more community input on the plan. The comprehensive plan should be ready for the Common Council to ultimately adopt in the winter of 2024, she said.
The plan costs the city $283,823 to create and includes a zoning audit process that will result in zoning recommendations. Szudy asked for $50,000 in the city budget for 2024, and the rest of the funding comes through grants.
Contact Bridget Fogarty at bfogarty@gannett.com.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wauwatosa is seeking community input for city's long-range plan
