[{"_1":2,"_86":-5,"_87":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6220367,"mediaKeyId","3617669-a1b0f57f011503cd5638de312523fc95","parentId",3617669,"title","Shorewood plan commission begins review of household definition and basement bedroom ban; seeks attorney opinion and public input","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",1502000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3617669-a1b0f57f011503cd5638de312523fc95&start=1502&end=1502","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3617669-a1b0f57f011503cd5638de312523fc95/thumbnail_1502000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6220367/Shorewood/Milwaukee-County/Wisconsin/Shorewood-plan-commission-begins-review-of-household-definition-and-basement-bedroom-ban-seeks-attorney-opinion-and-public-input","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6220367-2b63fa12c7f1df23dbbd7d5932ecef80/orig.mp4?Expires=1775102601&Signature=Y0E5eEV0sSgz-lfDLfQ0ozSq~4ILSHU5Pt4-H4rF1WraPlkeVR8v5N9bgitECiBC2qJzhrW9utJ1AweS6Q5Q2blhYFTZbOL~9c-G0Lwf8wVQZnlC-okhgOiRA3qiONtbNAuxOTcP2Yh-a2E0degFi1nTNO3pR0lq2ReUuWGWB3188-Mv94KmgNhhmuoWa7RuZG76I92Mj5DOGN6tCT3BTPt3jpbYnYwMQof7JgXh2hlr5Hq5qZvbK6C2-Nh8s6Zeuvg1-F0rWtLUwQxL6~H6cK7XCnx41kLyxOnpiJpbRRnUiAfw6uUV~mWjXB~NXx7hww5maRxk5KsThehDHwxuqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Village of Shorewood, WI","date","2025-05-29T14:20:19Z","article","The Village of Shorewood Plan Commission spent considerable time May 27 reviewing a multi‑pronged initiative to expand housing opportunities. Commissioners discussed the village’s household definition, minimum space requirements, a long‑standing prohibition on basement bedrooms, accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and duplex rules. The commission directed staff to obtain the village attorney’s opinion, draft ordinance language for likely changes, and plan public engagement before forwarding any amendments to the village board.

Planning staff said the existing household definition traces to mid‑20th century code updates and currently reads in part as “an individual or any number of persons related by blood, marriage, legal adoption or legal guardianship or a group of not more than 3 adults of any relationship plus minor children …” Staff noted the municipal definition originally appeared in 1937 and was changed over time; the regulation now limits unrelated adults and references state statute. The staff memo cited the American Planning Association (APA) equity guidance recommending communities avoid defining household by family relationship and instead focus on health‑and‑safety standards.

Staff explained there are two separate but related code tools: the household definition and minimum space/occupancy rules found in the village’s property standards (which require additional square footage where more than two occupants use a sleeping room). Director Bart said the square‑footage rules are “less exclusive and and easier to enforce” than a relationship‑based household definition. Commissioners and residents raised concerns about enforcement practicality, equity and the original intent of the limits; several said the household language felt exclusionary and rooted in mid‑20th‑century practice.

On the basement‑bedroom prohibition, staff said the 1956 municipal code rewrite added language that effectively prevents basements from being counted as bedrooms even if they meet modern building‑code egress and safety standards. Staff noted the department currently reviews renovation plans and requires labels consistent with code (e.g., finished basement space not listed as a bedroom), but that enforcement is rarely practical unless work is permitted and inspected. The commission discussed whether allowing code‑compliant basement bedrooms would improve safety and housing supply, while acknowledging modest tax/assessment implications and that adding egress windows can be expensive for homeowners.

Commissioners asked staff to: obtain the village attorney’s legal opinion on household definition and the basement prohibition; compare space requirements and occupancy rules in peer communities; draft language options (including the option to remove the household definition and rely on minimum space standards); and plan public engagement. The commission agreed to schedule a study sequence (ADUs and duplex restrictions) and to hold a public open house in the fall; staff will attempt to schedule a special June meeting and allocated two policy items for the next meeting (ADUs and basements). Public commenter Miss Kylie Miller said differentiating between student‑style group housing and multigenerational or extended families is a legal and policy challenge the village attorney will need to address.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Village of Shorewood Plan Commission - May 27, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At a May 27 study session, the Village of Shorewood Plan Commission reviewed four housing‑policy ideas — household definition, basement bedrooms, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and duplex restrictions — and directed staff to seek legal guidance and prepare draft code changes, with an open house planned for the fall.","taxTitle","Shorewood, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin","taxId",69871,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6220371,"Shorewood plan commission recommends broader P‑1 uses to allow commercial kitchens and artisan production",1360,114000,1474000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3617669-a1b0f57f011503cd5638de312523fc95&start=114&end=1474","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3617669-a1b0f57f011503cd5638de312523fc95/thumbnail_114000.jpg","/articles/6220371/Shorewood/Milwaukee-County/Wisconsin/Shorewood-plan-commission-recommends-broader-P1-uses-to-allow-commercial-kitchens-and-artisan-production","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6220371-7b5c3153748999956b322819845725f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775102601&Signature=D3DyNo5W0UBn4Jx5xCmj5QSQBHYoVEDfZKkpfhqrOFwSNremSLMgEWzS-jiV9uajksebXxjsBTynP6RJ9kZcKicb15XOlo8Y4j9lsodEtHGYCZsvayp8sO4HqA1AZlTte35sdt2Ld-z~Bkyfd01qh0sjGOISQl7gsKEypZkmMvMhfqkb3eTviYOyUJ0G8DtI5f3VXErBmLnnIczpPj65NIBL4-yY4pZIgtF86BgLAmpdC2L~ZuYmlTYNkPC~uC7bWqkHL~js80Sn0uBenJb-btDpyzAoClGTlYB~TrZ8fS~ZQU74mOj-kr31Gp~3-Wm04dv61Fqp1yWCoXUw61Fx2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Village of Shorewood Plan Commission voted May 27 to recommend that the village board consider expanding permitted uses in the P‑1 public and semi‑public district to allow commercial kitchens, artisan manufacturing and a broader list of GX uses.

The request came from North Shore Presbyterian Church, which applied to allow commercial kitchen uses in the P‑1 district so entrepreneurs could rent and use the church’s currently underutilized kitchen. Director Bart (planning staff) told the commission that “commercial kitchens are currently allowed as artisan production, which is defined, as, uses that produce consumer goods by hand, including confections, bakeries, caterers, and custom food custom made food items amongst other uses.” The staff memo outlined three options: (1) add a food‑production category specific to the request, (2) add artisan production with limited retail, or (3) add the full set of GX uses shown in the staff report.

The commission debated whether to adopt a narrow change limited to commercial kitchens or to broaden the P‑1 district to include additional commercial and institutional uses. Commissioner Klein said he would “like to see more flexibility overall,” and Commissioner Pollock moved the motion that the commission forward a recommendation to the village board to add consumer services, limited eating and drinking places, funeral and mortuary services, lodging, artisan manufacturing and production, medical and dental clinics and offices, offices, and limited general retail sales as permitted uses in P‑1, citing the packet list. Trustee McGovern seconded the motion. The motion passed on a voice vote, 3–2, and staff will present the change and associated options to the village board at a later hearing.

Commissioners who opposed the broadest option expressed a preference for a stepwise approach. One commissioner said they favored approving a narrow, use‑specific change now and reviewing additional applications later rather than opening the whole P‑1 district to many commercial uses at once. Director Bart noted the P‑1 district covers school properties, village facilities including the police department, village hall and public works, the North Shore Fire Department, and several houses of worship; he also said the village would hold a public hearing on June 16 before the village board would act.

No formal conditions about hours, on‑site sales, or other operational limits were added by the plan commission; staff recommended permitting the uses unless the commission preferred conditional use standards tied to hours or distribution. The commission’s recommendation is advisory: the village board will hold the public hearing and could adopt, amend or reject the suggested text changes.

Next steps: staff will prepare materials for the village board public hearing on June 16 and include the three staff options in the packet so the board can review incremental choices.","The Village of Shorewood Plan Commission voted 3–2 on May 27 to recommend that the village board consider permitting commercial kitchens and a wider set of GX uses in the P‑1 public and semi‑public zoning district, a change prompted by a request from North Shore Presbyterian Church to rent its underused kitchen to entrepreneurs.","actionData","errors"]

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Shorewood plan commission begins review of household definition and basement bedroom ban; seeks attorney opinion and public input

Shorewood plan commission recommends broader P‑1 uses to allow commercial kitchens and artisan production