City Council Approves Zoning Code Changes with Focus on Affordability and Tree Preservation

The City of Eau Claire's Housing Opportunities Commission convened on August 13, 2025, to discuss significant updates regarding zoning code changes and amendments aimed at enhancing housing affordability and development flexibility.

The meeting began with staff updates, highlighting that the city council had passed amendments to the zoning code the previous night. The next steps include minor cleanup language amendments scheduled for a later meeting in September, which will address text corrections and incorporate floodplain language as mandated by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The new zoning code is set to take effect on October 1, 2025, with a deadline for submissions to the planning commission that will determine whether projects are subject to the old or new code.

Key amendments approved include exemptions for one- and two-unit houses from tree mitigation requirements, focusing on existing recorded parcels. This decision aligns with the council's goal to prioritize new developments and larger multifamily projects that have a more significant impact on tree preservation. Additionally, projects guaranteeing 25% affordability at 60% of the county median income (CMI) will be deed-restricted for 30 years.

The council also addressed a reconsideration of an amendment to downzone the Randall Park neighborhood, ultimately deciding to maintain its designation as neighborhood residential, which allows for greater flexibility in housing types compared to general residential zoning.

Other notable amendments included new bicycle parking requirements closer to public building entrances and a simplified process for tree preservation for smaller lots. The council reduced the number of facade elements required for multifamily units and allowed for greater protrusion of garages, responding to requests from the building community to enhance affordability options.

Throughout the discussions, council members emphasized the importance of treating the zoning code as a living document, indicating a commitment to ongoing revisions and updates to meet the community's evolving needs. The meeting concluded with a focus on the necessity of continued dialogue and adjustments to support housing development and affordability in Eau Claire.