Wauwatosa Life Sciences District Master Plan Revised; Online Commenting now Open

WAUWATOSA, WI - After a heated public hearing regarding Wauwatosa's Life Sciences District resulted in hundreds of residents mainly expressing their disapproval of the plan, village officials are revising the plan and opening up more chances for the public to offer their opinion.

According to city officials, the Life Sciences District Master Plan Concept has been updated to increase protected green space, decrease space allocated to development and to decrease new roads. Officials want to know what you think about the revisions.

Village officials recommend taking a few minutes to share your thoughts and opinions with them about the newly revised Life Sciences District. This is the concept that was shared with the public at the April 6th Open House. The online comment period will be open until the end of April.

All the comments received will be compiled and provided to the Plan Commission for their meeting on May 15. There are three current and upcoming opportunities for public comment on the proposed Life Sciences District:

1. Online comment through April 30.
2. Public comment to the Plan Commission on May 15. The meeting begins at 7:00 pm.
3. Public comment to the Common Council on July 18. The meeting begins at 7:30 pm.

Main Concerns

The main concern for citizens was Sanctuary Woods, located on a 22-acre portion portion of the land designated for the plan. Residents feel the already-busy healthcare hub, which is anchored by Milwaukee Regional Medical Center, the Milwaukee County Research Park, and the UWM Innovation Campus, has encroached on the tranquility of the green space.

WUWM reports that Wauwatosa Kathy Ehley plans to increase park space by preserving another existing spot of wooded land that would grow from 60 to 88 acres. She also says she was taken aback by the feedback at the meeting, saying most constituents she had previously spoken to were on board with the city's plan.

Ehley says despite public input, she still expects the plan to go before the Wauwatosa Plan Commission in May.
For more information on the Wauwatosa Life Sciences District Master Plan, check out a story from Patch on the meeting.

image via village of wauwatosa