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Committee looks to zoning update to advance transit‑oriented development, tree protection and climate actions
Summary
Members of the Climate Action Plan Steering Committee urged staff to use the city’s ongoing zoning code update to incorporate climate-action recommendations — especially transit‑oriented development, tree protection, and design standards — and identified outreach and model ordinances as next steps.
Committee members used a scheduled review to press staff and consultants to incorporate climate action plan recommendations into the city’s zoning code update, highlighting transit‑oriented development, private‑tree protections and design standards that would support active transport and conservation.
Staff and committee discussion: Louis (staff) summarized that roughly 30 zoning-related recommendations were in the Climate Action Plan and that many are duplicative; the practical priorities he identified were transit-oriented development, affordable housing near transit stops, design review, conservation zoning, floodplain/tree protections and urban agriculture measures. Staff said the consultant on the update is MSA and the overall timeline for the code rewrite is approximately 18 months from launch, with an expected completion target around late 2026. Public outreach includes upcoming “Zoning Code 101” sessions; staff pointed participants to fordlacrosse.org for a survey and newsletter.
Why it matters: Zoning determines what kinds of development are allowed and where; committee members emphasized the update is a moment to lock in rules that encourage lower‑carbon development patterns (for example, closer to transit) and protect urban trees and green infrastructure.
Policy ideas and examples discussed: Committee members urged staff to gather model ordinances from other cities (for example, design standards that require enclosed bike parking, bird‑friendly glass and lighting ordinances, and conservation district language). Natalie and others suggested leveraging communities such as Middleton as models for zoning items that reduce light pollution and protect habitat. Staff noted the update can address legally nonconforming uses and zoning mismatches that prevent improvement of existing properties, and cautioned that zoning changes are future‑oriented (they do not automatically force immediate changes to existing uses).
Cross-jurisdictional and implementation cautions: Members noted complications where property ownership extends beyond the city (county-owned parcels inside city boundaries) and recommended staff identify those limits so stakeholders understand where the city can and cannot act via zoning.
Next steps: Staff said they will compile model code language and memos for the consultant, continue neighborhood outreach, and welcome the committee’s assistance in public engagement at hearings. No formal committee vote or ordinance change was taken at the meeting.
