Council Member Proposes Building Height Restriction In Wauwatosa

WAUWATOSA, WI — A Wauwatosa council member is asking for a height restriction change to the city's zoning code. The proposed change comes after the approval of a 28-story tower without a Common Council vote.

Alderman Nancy Welch wants the zoning code modified to ban buildings over 50 feet in height within the C2 zoning district. A C2, general commercial, district consists mostly of businesses and other commercial buildings.

The Community Affairs Committee will consider the proposed change during its Tuesday meeting. The current zoning code does not impose a maximum height limit for buildings located in the C2 district in Wauwatosa, city documents said.

Welch is asking for the change after the Design Review Board in January approved plans for Drew Tower — a 28-story residential building from Mo's Irish Pub owner John "Johnny V" Vassallo.

The tower will be 364 feet tall, with 65 units at 10845 W. Bluemound Road, city documents said.

Vassallo withdrew a proposal for a 20-story, 340-unit apartment in February 2021, after neighborhood outcry. In that case, several residents opposed the tower, citing traffic concerns and its potential impact on property values.

Vassallo's Drew Tower fits within the city's zoning restrictions, which allowed him to bypass an approval vote by the Common Council.

The proposed height restriction will need to go to the Common Council and Plan Commission for final approval, according to online city documents. Construction on Drew Tower could start as early as September.