Plan Commission recommends Chapter 1 updates to comprehensive plan after debate on growth projections

The Cedarburg Plan Commission on May 4 voted to recommend updates to Chapter 1 (Issues and Opportunities) of the City's Smart Growth comprehensive plan to the Common Council after staff presented population-growth scenarios and policy implications.

Planner Mary asked commissioners whether they preferred to review the marked-up changes or have staff highlight key points; the commission agreed to hear highlights and proceed. Mary presented two projection approaches: the Wisconsin Department of Administration's 1 percent annual growth projection, which yields a 2050 population estimate of about 14,007, and the city's internally used 1.3 percent annual target, which yields roughly 17,700 by 2050. Mary said those rates translate into widely different housing needs: using the lower 1 percent projection the city would need about 1,108 additional dwelling units by 2050, whereas the 1.3 percent projection implies about 2,354 additional dwelling units (the presentation produced a range of roughly 37 to 79 new units needed annually depending on assumptions).

Commissioners discussed policy tools for managing the pace of development, including annexation limits, pre-annexation agreements that set phasing schedules, infrastructure concurrency (e.g., sewer and traffic infrastructure triggers) and development agreements. Some commissioners expressed concern about demographic trends and the need to encourage housing types and opportunities that attract younger families; others noted national aging trends and recent multifamily completions in the city.

After discussion a commissioner moved to approve the Chapter 1 updates (the marked-up changes) and recommend them to the Common Council; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote.