Eau Claire City Council enacts new zoning code, approves
Carson Park baseball improvements
Visit Eau Claire makes case for tourism contract renewal
The Eau Claire City Council last Tuesday voted unanimously to adopt an all-new zoning code. The final vote came after two years of development and was finalized amid several hours of public comment and legislative debate over the past few weeks.
Last week's meetings also saw approval of capital funds for improvements to the Carson Park Baseball Stadium, and a presentation from Visit Eau Claire related to renewal of its tourism contract with the City.
Tree preservation stds, impact fees remain zoning concerns
Most of the debate around the finalization of the new zoning code centered on concerns by housing advocates that, despite many positive aspects of the new code, some provisions would inhibit infill development and have a negative impact on development costs, supply, and affordability. The Council's July 21-22 Public Hearing and Legislative Session meetings included several hours of public comment and votes on 11 different amendments to the code (see the July 28 issue of the Business Advocate for a recap, and click here to see the individual vote tallies on each amendment). The Chamber appreciates the four City Council Members who consistently voted favorably on amendments that prioritized housing affordability, including Emily Berge, Charlie Johnson, Nate Otto, and Jessica Schoen.
Because of state regulations related to an all-new zoning code, four of the approved amendments had to go back to the Plan Commission on August 4 before they could be finalized by the City Council, where they the Plan Commission unanimously recommended their enactment.
Last Tuesday's vote included one more change. The Council voted 6-5 to reverse its July 22 vote to move the Randall Park neighborhood from designation as a Neighborhood Residential (NR) zoning district to a General Residential (GR) zoning district. Council Member Joshua Miller, who had been on the prevailing side on July 22, moved to reconsider the previous vote because of concerns about the number of non-conforming properties that would be created and the impact of restricting housing types in a traditional neighborhood.
Several of the July 22 amendments helped to mitigate the effect of the most controversial provisions of the draft code, which relate to requirements to replace or pay significant fees for high value trees over 12 inches in diameter that are removed. At a proposed $400 per inch for the required 30% replacement, in some scenarios fees could run into the thousands of dollars even for just a few affected trees. However, an amendment proposed by Council Members Jessica Schoen and Charlie Johnson to modestly increase the diameter of high-value trees subject to regulation from 12 inches to 14 inches, failed on a 4-7 vote. This is the provision most anticipated to impact the building of new housing in the area and has the most potential to drive projects to other jurisdictions with less onerous rules.
Home builders, Chamber support final enactment, but with concerns
Representatives of the Chippewa Valley Home Builders Association (CVHBA) and the Chamber spoke during the public comment period last Monday, supporting enactment of the code, but with caveats about potential needed changes in the future to address its deficiencies.
"We remain concerned that some of the tree preservations standards that remain in the code will inhibit the creation of needed housing. We once again point out that encouraging infill housing is better for the environment, more financially productive for the community, efficiently uses existing infrastructure, and lessens pressure on sprawl," said Scott Rogers, the Chamber's Vice President Governmental Affairs. "Going forward, we encourage city staff and the Council to monitor and assess the actual impact of the code as it is implemented… and to be open about making future adjustments to ensure its most important goals have a chance to be achieved." Click here to read the Chamber's full statement.
CVHBA representatives likewise noted concerns continue about tree preservation as well as proposed park impact fees that will drive up costs, ultimately affecting renters and home buyers.
"By passing these few amendments, I want everyone to know that we're not reducing the price of housing... we're reducing the increase" in costs from the new code, said Paul Holzinger, owner of Holzinger Homes.
Fees, tree list still to be finalized
Still to be finalized are other details in advance of the anticipated October implementation of the code, including Council approval of tree and park impact fees, and the finalization of the list of high-value trees to which tree preservation standards will be applied.
Council approves $1.6 million for Carson Park stadium improvements
Also last Tuesday, the City Council approved $1.6 million in capital improvements for the Carson Park Baseball Stadium to go along with $400,000 in funds raised by the community. Areas of improvement will include dugouts, bleachers, restrooms and concessions, and turf. See the most recent City Manager's Weekly Update for more details provided by Community Services Director Lane Berg.

Visit Eau Claire contract renewal
The Council's agenda last Monday also included a discussion of renewal of its contract with Visit Eau Claire (VEC), the area's tourism marketing organization. The current contract runs through the end of this year. Following the regular public hearings on Monday, Visit Eau Claire Executive Director Kenzi Havlicek made a presentation to the Council about the economic impact of tourism in the area, VEC's role in promoting and marketing tourist visits to the community, and specific provisions it recommends be included in the next contract. Among those recommendations is development of a Destination Master Plan to guide future major tourism-related investments. Click here to see the presentation visuals.
The most significant source of funding for tourism promotion are the room taxes collected by local hotels. State law requires at least 70% of those funds to go directly to promotion, while municipalities can use the remaining 30% as they see fit. It's expected that room taxes collected in the City of Eau Claire in 2025 will total about $2.9 million. VEC also contracts with other area municipalities including Altoona, Osseo, the Town of Union, and the Town of Wheaton.
In 2024, tourism in Eau Claire County is estimated to have had a record $461 million economic impact, with room tax revenues having grown 44% since 2019.
Chamber supports renewal of VEC contract, VEC partners speak up
The VEC topic drew a full house in the Council Chambers including significant representation from the local hospitality industry and tourism partners. About 20 of those representatives spoke during the public comment period, including those from local hotel management companies, the Pablo Center, US Kubb Championship, Eau Claire Sculpture Tour, Clearwater Jazz Festival, UW-Eau Claire, and others.
In a letter to members of the City Council on August 8, the Chamber encouraged renewal of the contract with Visit Eau Claire.
"Looking at the big picture for our community, we strongly believe this would be in the best interests of the local economy, the area hospitality industry, talent recruitment efforts, Chippewa Valley community partners, and the city itself," wrote Scott Rogers, the Chamber's Vice President Governmental Affairs.
Following the open public hearing, the Council went into closed session to discuss negotiations with VEC.
The impact of tourism on the local economy will be the topic of the Chamber's September 19 Eggs & Issues breakfast. Click here for more information.
Paid downtown parking ordinance coming August 25-26
Tuesday's agenda also included the first reading of the ordinance to be considered to establish paid downtown parking beginning in June 2026, between noon and 10 p.m. Monday-Saturday. A first reading is effectively a notice that the ordinance will be taken up at the next Council meetings on August 25-26. (See pages 123-127 of the Tuesday Agenda Packet linked below.)
More information:
Eau Claire City Council
• Monday, Aug 11, Public Hearing Agenda Packet (52 pages)
• Tuesday, Aug 12, Legislative Session Agenda Packet (132 pages)
Click here to send an email to all City Council members
Click here for individual contact information for each City Council member
Link to videos of city meetings (City of Eau Claire)
City News Updates -incl. City Manager's Weekly Update (City of Eau Claire)

Zoning Update information:
Century Code Update full website (City of Eau Claire)
Full zoning code documents (City of Eau Claire)
Continuing Coverage: community members speak out at final public hearing on Century Code Updates (WEAU 13 News)
New Eau Claire zoning code passes with unanimous vote (Leader-Telegram $)
Eau Claire City Council passes Century Code Update with amendments to tree protection plan (WQOW News 18)
Eau Claire Chamber July 17 letter to the City Council (Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce)
Full recap of July 22 amendments and votes taken (Provided by Chippewa Valley Home Builders Association)
Tally of the votes taken by City Council Members on July 22 (Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce)
City of Eau Claire’s Proposed Tree Ordinance, Explained (Volume One)
Tree Ordinance Amendments Will Be Sent Back to E.C. City Council (Volume One)

Visit Eau Claire information
July Tourism Highlights (Visit Eau Claire)
About Visit Eau Claire (Visit Eau Claire)
Eau Claire tourism hits record $461M IN 2024 (WQOW News 18)
Chamber letter re: Visit Eau Claire contract (Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce)

Eau Claire, US Chambers host tax policy
roundtable with Rep. Van Orden
The Eau Claire Chamber joined the US Chamber of Commerce this past Friday in hosting a tax policy roundtable with 3rd District US Representative Derrick Van Orden. The discussion focused on the tax policy provisions of the recently-enacted "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," particularly how they avoided a significant tax increase on small businesses, provided specific provisions to encourage investment, and can lead to critically needed economic growth.
"The U.S. Chamber thanks Congressman Van Orden for championing pro-growth policies in the One Big Beautiful Bill, helping to ensure small businesses and workers in Wisconsin’s third district can continue to thrive,” said Rodney Davis, Head of Government Affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, who led the discussion. Davis is a former five-term Congressman from Central Illinois.
“We secured historic tax cuts, eliminated taxes on tips and overtime pay, provided $1 billion for BadgerCare and $500 million for rural healthcare infrastructure," noted Van Orden, "and invested in manufacturing and business development. This bill puts more money in the pockets of working families and will strengthen Wisconsin’s economy for years to come." Van Orden pointed out that over 51,000 businesses in his district are S Corps, whose tax rates would have gone up substantially without the provisions in the bill to extend the rates initially enacted in 2017.
“This recently-passed legislation contains many provisions that provide local businesses with the certainty they need to plan and invest,” said David Minor, President and CEO of the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce. “By extending current tax cuts, it avoids a massive tax increase. And Congress sends a signal that rewards innovation and capital investment with things like restoring full R&D expensing & 100% bonus depreciation, and creating a new accelerated deduction for qualifying production structures."
Participants in the roundtable included members of the Chamber's Board of Directors, Governmental Affairs Committee, and Advocacy Initiative Investors. It was hosted at WIN Technology in Eau Claire.
More information:
U.S. Chamber, Eau Claire Chamber Host U.S. Representative Derrick Van Orden for Roundtable on Tax Reform (US Chamber of Commerce)
Tax Bill Will Grow Economy, Help Workers and Businesses (US Chamber of Commerce)
List of permanent, pro-growth tax reforms designed included in federal bill (US Chamber of Commerce)
Behind the Headlines: Strong Majorities Favor Pro-Growth Tax Provisions (US Chamber of Commerce)
Van Orden talks One Big Beautiful Bill with local businesses in Eau Claire (Leader-Telegram $)
Derrick Van Orden held roundtable discussion in Eau Claire (WEAU 13 News)
Senator Baldwin, Representative Van Orden talk 'Big Beautiful Bill' impacts in Chippewa Valley (WQOW News 18)
What The One Big Beautiful Bill Act Means For You (Volume One)
What the new law's key tax provisions could mean for your finances

More local stories...
Input session scheduled for Eau Claire community to help design Owen Park (WQOW News 18)
City of Eau Claire to start invoicing Eau Claire County for veteran grave maintenance (Leader-Telegram $)
Aspirus breaks ground on new CF hospital (Leader-Telegram $)
Aspirus Health breaks ground on new hospital in Chippewa Falls (WQOW News 18)
ECCHA executive director receives animal welfare certification, reflects on year in new facility (Leader-Telegram $)
Hope Village sells Indianhead Motel furnishings, preparing for remodel to housing (Leader-Telegram $)
Chi Hi graduate selected to be new Chippewa County Highway Commissioner (Leader-Telegram $)

Meeting this week...
Full public meetings calendar
City of Eau Claire Plan Commission
• Monday, Aug 18, 6 p.m. Meeting information
Altoona Board of Education
• Monday, Aug 18, 6:30 p.m. Meeting information
Eau Claire Board of Education
• Monday, Aug 18, 7 p.m. Meeting information
Altoona Plan Commission
• Tuesday, Aug 19, 5 p.m. Meeting information
Eau Claire County Board of Supervisors
• Tuesday, Aug 19, 7 p.m. Meeting information
City of Eau Claire Redevelopment Authority
• Wednesday, Aug 20, 7:30 a.m. Meeting information

State and regional stories...
Competing bills aim to save homeless veteran assistance facilities from closing (WPR)
Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez visits River Source Family Center as part of Chippewa Valley tour (WQOW News 18)
Evers bypasses GOP-led committee to implement pay raises for state workers (WPR)
Wisconsin unemployment drops to 3.1% in July (The Center Square)
Federal funding cut endangers state unemployment system update (WPR)
Wisconsin DNR has lost 500 positions since 2003, causing permitting delays (WPR)
Wisconsin dairy groups continue suit over special environmental prosecutor (The Center Square)
AmeriCorps is under siege. What happens in the communities it serves? (Wisconsin Examiner)

More national and economic stories...
Wholesale prices rose 0.9% in July, much more than expected (CNBC)
US producer inflation heats up as goods, services prices soar (Reuters)
Why Haven’t Tariffs Boosted Inflation? This Theory Is Gaining Traction (Wall Street Journal +)
Bipartisan House bill promises to transform federal housing programs in rural areas (KARE 11)
Senator Tammy Baldwin visits NorthLakes Community Clinic in Eau Claire (Leader-Telegram $)
Senator Tammy makes stop in Eau Claire on ‘Fighting for Wisconsin Families Tour’ (WEAU 13 News)
New York Times Reports on Eau Claire Refugees, Local Aid Response to Federal Cuts (Volume One)
The Last Refugees Let Into the U.S. Wonder if Their New Country Wants Them (New York Times +)
In Albuquerque, Developers Are Turning Old Motels Into Affordable Housing (Next City)
North Carolina train ridership keeps growing (Axios)

Food for thought...

Tariff Revenues Are Just Taxes on Americans (Jonah Goldberg, The Dispatch) Normally, Republicans don’t exult over massive revenues from tax hikes.

No One is ‘Gutting’ the Safety Net (Wall Street Journal Editorial Board +)

Thanks for reading this issue of Business Advocate. If you have comments or questions, contact Scott Rogers, Vice President Governmental Affairs, at 715-858-0616 or rogers@eauclairechamber.org