DCD commissioner chastises alderman for proposed ordinance
But DCD staff helped develop it

May 2, 2005 -- A proposal to require a "super-majority" vote of the Common Council on some rezoning requests drew a strong and negative reaction last week from Department of City Development Commissioner Rocky Marcoux, who said he was not consulted on the matter.

"We want to talk about how we're going to work together -- how is it, if I'm the person ostensibly in charge of day- to-day operations in the Department of City Development, and I was never asked about this," Marcoux said during a meeting of the Common Council's Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee.

The sponsor of the proposal, Committee Chairman Ald. Michael D'Amato, said that Marcoux's staff knew about and helped draft the measure.

The proposed ordinance would require a two-thirds Common Council "super-majority" to approve rezoning from industrial to non-industrial any parcel larger than three acres.

D'Amato said he wanted to preserve the five remaining parcels of industrial properties that are 25 acres or larger. He said retail and religious institutions threaten to consume the city's industrial property.

Marcoux, though, said the measure would inhibit DCD from doing its work and would bring Council participation in planning efforts to the "micromanagement level."

"I don't think it's neccessary," he said.

The super majority measure was endorsed unanimously by the Plan Commission, and DCD staff attending that meeting did not raise any objections, D'Amato said.

"With all due respect, I was never asked or consulted about this," Marcoux responded. "That's your prerogative as the chairperson."

Marcoux continued: "Now granted, ignorance is no excuse for me not being at Plan Commission or consulting my own staff, but the larger question is why was the commissioner of the Department of City Development was not asked at least for his opinion on how this might impact the policies that he's trying to bring forward."

During the discussion, D'Amato specifically cited his concerns about the potential for non-industrial development in the Menomonee Valley, southeast of Story Hill, where the city favors industry.

Milwaukee Brewers owner Mark Attanasio has said he wants to see entertainment venues developed there, D'Amato said. Those jobs would be part-time and offer substandard wages, he said.

Marcoux said his department was in discussions with Stadium District officials, but did not have any specific proposals to present. He said the Barrett Administration also was concerned about preserving the land for appropriate development.

The city has rejected 20 separate proposals for the Valley since he took office, Marcoux said.

The administration is working hard to bring more tax base to the city, and is seeking to develop a medical technology business park on the Veteran's Administration grounds west of Miller Park, he said.

It is possible that medical tech campus could "bleed" east into the Valley, Marcoux said, or that industrial development could move west from the Valley.

"Are we concerned about the disposition of those two parcels of property? Absolutely," Marcoux said.

The matter was held in committee for further discussion.