“I loved the neighborhood community...East Side bars, shops and restaurants; but I do not want (condos) directly in my backyard.” - Amelia Jee, East Side resident

A September proposal to rezone the 2400 block of North Farwell Avenue from residential to commercial is attracting local opposition.

The current duplexes are located one block north of popular North Avenue, one block east of Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital and across the street from businesses such as Milwaukee PC, Ichiban Restaurant and Blockbuster Video.

The proposed zoning would allow new buildings to be a maximum of 60 feet tall, which in most cases translates to a five-story structure. This has residents concerned about increased parking hassles, traffic, crime and a loss of their community.

City regulations state their purpose is to, “Promote, preserve, and protect ... the overall image and character of the residential neighborhood ... while accommodating the need for future growth.”

One of the biggest concerns residents have is traffic and parking. Traffic is already becoming an issue in that area due to the newly opened Whole Foods, Columbia St. Mary’s Lake Drive hospital additions and an increase in local businesses. A business must provide a 2:3 ratio of parking spaces to dwelling units under new zoning regulations, which may help alleviate existing street-parking issues.

However, some area residents don’t see the existing rental lots as aesthetically pleasing. “One building looks abandoned, and some are not well kept-up,” said Hannah Wolfe, about the state of the current houses in the neighborhood.

Several new apartment buildings opened recently in the area.

In August, two blocks south of the proposed zoning change, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee developed the Kenilworth Square Apartments, complete with underground parking, a security system and a fitness room.

However New Land Development has faced problems in the area with its proposal to build an 11-story, 112-unit condominium in the Downer Avenue business district. Despite much community opposition, the city granted the proposal and construction has begun on the condos at the corner of North Stowell Avenue and East Webster Place.

As for the area in question, no plans to develop the properties have been submitted to the City of Milwaukee’s Development Center, and any plans for condos or businesses need further approval from the city before building begins.

A public hearing to discuss zoning has been scheduled for 1:40 p.m. Monday, Oct. 16, in the first floor board room on 809 N. Broadway at the City of Milwaukee’s Development Center.

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