Germantown plan commissioners continue debate on multifamily housing policy, direct staff to gather local data

The Village of Germantown Plan Commission on May 12, 2025 continued a discussion about whether the village should set a target percentage for multifamily housing and what metrics staff should gather before any policy is proposed. No ordinance, resolution or binding percentage was adopted; commissioners directed staff to collect additional local data and return with findings.

The conversation followed public comments and a presentation from planning staff. Jordan, planning staff, said, “One of the main takeaways from that was to get the Tracy Cross study involved and have, all of you read it or reread it, let's say, and have that be a discussion point.” The commission heard residents urge clearer definitions and Germantown‑specific data rather than regional assumptions from the Tracy Cross report.

Why it matters: commissioners framed the issue as one that could affect school capacity, tax revenue and the village’s rural character. Several commissioners stressed the need to understand local housing stock, how many units are…