Shorewood plan commission launches review of code changes to expand housing options

The Plan Commission of the Village of Shorewood signaled the start of a multi‑meeting initiative to explore code changes that could increase housing opportunities in the village.

Director Griegentag, the village planning director, framed the initiative by citing prior work including a comprehensive housing market study done by the Community Development Authority and the village’s 2021 comprehensive plan. He said the topics most frequently raised to staff include accessory dwelling units (ADUs), the village household definition, a current prohibition on bedrooms in basements, and restrictions on creating new duplexes.

Commissioner Josh Pollock said he wants to expand housing supply “in any way” that will have measurable impact and suggested prioritizing items that can move sooner. Commissioner Kate Flynn Post and other members asked staff to return with factual context and goals—for example, how many potential units each change might create and how code changes would interact with health, building and parking standards.

Director Griegentag recommended the commission consider Wauwatosa’s ADU regulations as a model and offered to prepare a memo comparing options. He cautioned that larger items such as “missing middle” housing (small‑scale multifamily like fourplexes or townhouses) would likely require comprehensive plan amendments and a longer process. He said some items—household definition, basement bedrooms and duplex restrictions—could be relatively quick code changes; ADU policy would likely require more detailed study, outreach and possible GIS analysis to estimate eligible properties.

Commissioners raised implementation questions staff should address, including how ADU parking requirements would be enforced and whether conversions (for example, converting an existing garage) should be allowed without adding new on‑site parking. Commissioner Flynn Post recommended focusing on one item at a time for public clarity, while other commissioners said they were comfortable having multiple items in the workplan concurrently so long as staff could manage them.

The commission did not adopt code amendments at the meeting. Instead, the commission directed planning staff to research the four identified topics, prepare comparative examples and data (including likely eligible parcel counts), and return with memos and outreach proposals at future meetings. Director Griegentag said the initiative will require several meetings and public engagement; he expected the commission would take topics in stages and hold the required public hearings before any zoning text amendments are forwarded to the Village Board.