Committee denies request to remove parking restrictions on Elm Spring Avenue after residents oppose change

The Wauwatosa Transportation Affairs Committee voted 6-0 to deny a request from city engineering to start a 90-day trial removing existing one-hour parking restrictions on Elm Spring Avenue between Bluemound Road and Wisconsin Avenue.

Engineering staff proposed lifting the one-hour restriction because expanded parking structures at the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center (MRMC) have increased off-street capacity and a resident requested the change. Mike May of the engineering division told the committee the street is roughly 30 feet wide and could physically accommodate parking on both sides.

Residents who live on Elm Spring and adjacent streets made lengthy on-record objections at the committee meeting. Tom Jenak of 509 Elm Spring cited concerns that Wisconsin Lutheran College students and other nonresidents would use Elm Spring for long-term parking, narrowing the travel lane and increasing collision risk when drivers back out of driveways. Joan Hannigan, who said she has lived on Elm Spring for 30 years, and Linda Pulula, who lives at the corner of Wisconsin Avenue and Elm Spring, said they value the street’s quiet character and worried about overnight and all-day parking. Bill Smith and Jim Waples said past experience showed unlimited parking had allowed hospital and college employees to fill the street and that municipal services (snow plows, sanitation, leaf collection) could be impeded if both sides of the street were parked.

Committee members heard that the city had received several letters: staff reported 6–7 written contacts on the topic, with two explicitly in favor of expanded parking, two who favored a longer but still limited limit (for example two to four hours), and the remainder opposed. Several aldermen said they had heard from multiple constituents opposing the change. Alders noted the surrounding streets (Pleasant View, Robertson, Wisconsin Avenue) already have restrictions and raised fairness concerns about shifting parking pressure onto Elm Spring.

After public comment and internal discussion, the committee voted on a motion to deny the engineering request to lift the one-hour restriction. Alder Brandon moved to deny and Alder Champine seconded; the motion passed unanimously 6–0. Committee members also asked staff to return with a broader review of Elm Spring plus Pleasant View Street and Robertson — including options such as two-, three- or four-hour limits — rather than unilaterally removing the one-hour restriction.

Minutes and staff materials attached to the packet include letters and communications received by engineering, and engineering staff said they will pursue a larger-area study and return to the committee with alternatives in the coming months.