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Volume 8, Issue 7, Jun 30, 2025
 Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce, Eau Claire, Wis. 
Published the first business day of each week
Business Advocate Past Issues
Public Meetings Calendar
Chamber Events Calendar
The Chamber's Advocacy Principles
The Chamber's Business Issues Agenda
"Talking Po!nt" Podcast
How to become a Chamber investor
Contact: Scott Rogers, VP Governmental Affairs
rogers@eauclairechamber.org
Chamber Business Hours: Mon-Thu 7:30a-4:30p, Friday 8a-12n
Closed Fridays in July

In this issue:
 • EC Plan Commission to consider recommendation on new Zoning Code,
    affordability advocates weigh in with concerns
 • Eau Claire City Council approves Capital Improvement Plan
 • State budget status
 • New Marquette Poll released
 • National and economic news
 • Food for thought
 • Mark your calendar
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Eggs & Issues: Legislative Breakfast
   We've invited members of the State Assembly and Senate who represent the Chippewa Valley to give us a timely look at how our regional priorities are faring in Madison, and provide insights on the biennial state budget. We'll ask them to address legislative actions that will affect the business climate in our region, and answer questions submitted by participants.
• Thursday, July 24, 7:00-8:30 a.m., CVTC Business Education Center
   Click here for details and to register  

Next Eggs & Issues topics...
• Higher Education in the Chippewa Valley - Thursday, Aug 21
• The Economic Impact of Local Tourism - Friday, Sep 19

Also for your calendar...
• Morning Momentum - Tuesday, July 15
• Golf Day in Eau Claire: Wild Ridge  Country Club - Monday, Aug 4
• Business After Hours - Monday, Aug 11
• Business Day in Eau Claire - Wednesday, Sep 24
• 32nd Annual Chippewa Valley Rally - Thursday, Feb 19, Madison

EC Plan Commission to consider recommendation on new
Zoning Code; affordability advocates weigh in with concerns
   The first step to approval of an all-new zoning code for the City of Eau Claire takes place Monday evening, when the Plan Commission considers making a recommendation to the City Council, which itself is scheduled to take action at its July 21-22 meetings. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. and there will be a public comment period.
   In recent days, local groups and organizations concerned about housing supply and affordability have weighed in with concerns, seeking amendments to the final draft to address them. 
Purposes of zoning rewrite
   A complete rewrite of the City of Eau Claire's zoning code has been underway since 2023. The process has been dubbed the "Century Code Update," commemorating the 100th anniversary of the City's first zoning ordinance. The process has been led by City Planning Manager Ned Noel with the assistance of a consultant, under the direction of the Zoning Policy Advisory Committee (ZPAC) consisting of the City Council and Plan Commission.
   Since the City's latest significant overhaul occurred over 33 years ago, there was a consensus among City leadership and local industry that it was time to review and update the code based upon current housing and economic needs, as well as incorporating best practices. A project overview presentation from February 2024 enumerated 12 primary purposes of the initiative (click here and see pages 7-8 for the complete list), including such goals as "Produce more housing supply, diversity of choices, and affordability," "Improve development process certainties," "Lessen pressure on sprawl and environmental and habitat degradation," "Produce more complete streets and neighborhoods with housing choices, commercial and jobs within walking distance," "Reduce exclusionary zoning practices," and "Educate with evidence-based literature/data on the need for zoning reforms and associated co-benefits."
Affordability concerns detailed
   Recent letters and communications to the Plan Commission and City Council have come from the JONAH Affordable Housing Task Force, City of Eau Claire Housing Opportunities Commission, and the Housing Our Neighbors Planning Cooperative, as well as earlier input from the Chippewa Valley Home Builders Association and the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce.
   Each expressed appreciation for many of the zoning provisions that support the update's goals to "Produce more housing supply, diversity of choices, and affordability." such as those related to lot sizes, gentle density increases, improving development process certainties, and other improvements. However, they pointed out that some provisions should be reconsidered, "given their potential to raising housing costs," including aesthetic standards that have to be recovered in the building price or rental rates, tree preservation standards, park impact fees, mandates for multi-family amenities, and parking mandates.  
  Zoning letter - JONAH Affordable Housing Task Force (JONAH) 
  Zoning Letter (Housing Opportunities Commission)
  Zoning communication (Housing Our Neighbors Planning Cooperative)
  Chamber letter to Zoning Policy Advisory Comm (Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce)
  Comments and Recommendations about the Proposed Zoning Code (Chippewa Valley Home Builders Association)
Chamber supports efforts to enhance housing supply, affordability
   The Chamber has been closely watching and involved in the code update process. Its Business Issues Agenda supports the process to "Update zoning codes and policies to eliminate outdated and arbitrary standards in order to encourage infill development, creation of missing middle housing types, a greater diversity of housing choices, compact growth, efficiency of public resources, and the ability to build the types of housing demanded by the marketplace. It is also important to reduce uncertainty in the development process, develop objective standards that can be adhered to without subjective approval processes, and respect property rights."
   In a May 5 letter to ZPAC, the Chamber referenced similar concerns about some provisions in the draft that could negatively impact supply and affordability. The Chamber letter encouraged policymakers to "carefully consider the supply and affordability consequences" of the issues highlighted there, while supporting the overall goals of the rewrite.
Full draft code now on project website, Council action in July
   The City Planning Department has posted online the full draft 425-page document.
More information:
Eau Claire Plan Commission
 • Monday, June 30, 6 p.m. Agenda Packet
Century Code Update full website (City of Eau Claire)

Other housing stories...
Final 'Unlock Affordable Housing' Event Spotlights Altoona's Solis Circle Project (Volume One)
How One Developer Turned a Strip Mall Parking Lot into Affordable Homes (Parking Reform Network)
These Six Policies Will Make Your Town Housing Ready (Strong Towns)