Comprehensive Plan Advisory Work Group

MEETING MINUTES From: RDG Planning & Design Project Name: Whitewater Forward Meeting Date: Wednesday, March 11, 2026 Whitewater Forward | Comprehensive Plan Working Group Meeting #3 Discussion This memorandum summarizes the items discussed during the meeting referenced above. A. Schedule Update 1. Recap of first Working Group Meetings discussions 2. Recap of process a. March is month five of twelve, and still in the discovery phase 3. Recap of hosted events that have occurred a. Ten listening sessions b. One community roundtable event c. Two pop-up events 4. Recap of hosted events to come a. More listening sessions to occur b. More public events, starting in April B. Project Website Updates 1. Number of visits to the project website (more than doubled from last meeting) 2. Number of unique visitors to the website 3. Number of contributions on the website a. Monthly poll results share 4. New website updates will occur as the process continues a. Public events in April currently being advertised b. The monthly poll will be updated monthly, and reminders will be sent via email C. Conditions and Trends related to: 1. Demographics a. Total population b. Student population c. Age distributions d. Race e. Household income f. Commuting patterns  2 2. Housing trends a. Building and demolition activity b. Types of units existing in Whitewater c. Age of housing d. For-sale activity e. Renter/owner split f. Vacancy rates g. Median home value/median contract rent D. Population forecast scenarios Discussion on future population forecast scenarios. Next Working Group Meeting: Wednesday, April 22 at 4:00pm .... COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Work Group #3 AGENDA • Schedule Update • Engagement Update • Conditions and Trends PROCESS OVERVIEW Project Launch Input Today: Tomorrow: Tomorrow: Implementation Collect and Land Use & Special Plan Elements Analyze Data Area Concepts Approval  Nov Dec Jan '26 Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Task 1 Communications/Marketing Plan Task2 Task3 Task4 PLAN ELEMENTS 11111 Draft Pl'an to PMT Editing Task5 ,,, APPROVAL PMT Meetings PMT Kick-Off Outreach Strategies Outreach Strategies Issues and Opportunities "' '" "' Emerging Trends Design Workshop Review Plan !Elements Review Plan Elements Review Plan Elements "' Implementation Flnal Plan Review Committee Meetings Orientation Goals Discuss Trends Attend Design Concept Feedback Policy Feedback Implementation  [Zoom] Workshop [Zoom] Workshop [Zoom or lln-Person] [Zoom] Workshop Major @ @ @ @ @ @ Events launch Launch Focus Groups Design Online Polling Online Polling Open House Website Interactive Map & Roundtable Workshop SEPTEMBER PLANS - DISCUSSION Activities: Options: • Joint Council Meeting • September 21 – 23 • Public Open House • September 28 – 30 • Advisory Work Group Meeting – Implementation Workshop SCHEDULE UPDATE Future Work Group Meeting Dates • April 22, 4:00-5:15p - Work Group #4 (In-Person & virtual) – Design Workshop • June 3rd: 4:00-5:15 p.m. - Work Group #5 (Virtual) – Plan Elements I • August 5th: 4:00-5:15 p.m. - Work Group #6 (Virtual) – Plan Elements II • September TBD – Work Group #7 (In-Person & virtual) – Implementation AGENDA • Schedule Update • Engagement Update • Conditions and Trends ENGAGEMENT UPDATE Website Tracking 672 +434 Website Views 441 +282 Unique Visitors 43 +35 Contributions *as of 1:30p on Wednesday, March 11 ENGAGEMENT UPDATE Whitewater Identity Poll Results • 3 questions • 21 responses ENGAGEMENT UPDATE Whitewater Identity Poll Results What helps you feel connected to your community? Select up to three: Cultural events and festivals Opportunities to volunteer or participate Access to local news and updates Inclusive public spaces and signage Environmental stewardship activities (clean-ups, etc.) Language-accessible materials and services Other ENGAGEMENT UPDATE Whitewater Identity Poll Results What barriers make it harder to participate in community activities? Select up to three: Language or translation issues Lack of transportation Limited time or childcare Feeling unwelcome or underrepresented Lack of information about events or services Physical accessibility of venues Other ENGAGEMENT UPDATE Whitewater Identity Poll Results What would make Whitewater more welcoming? Select up to three: More community events in parks and public spaces Environmental improvements in underserved areas More bilingual communications and signage Diverse representation in leadership More support for immigrant and refugee communities Programs that celebrate cultural heritage Other ENGAGEMENT UPDATE Group Date Time Additional Follow-ups High School Students 03.10 12:52 – 1:37 • UWW Faculty & Staff High School Students 03.10 1:41 – 2:26 (Virtual) High School Students 03.10 2:30 – 3:15 • High School Faculty & Staff UWW Pop-Up 03.10 4:00 – 5:30 (Virtual) Innovation Center Pop-Up 03.11 11:00 – 1:30 Immigrant Coalition 03.11 5:00 – 6:00 ENGAGEMENT UPDATE Emerging Themes from Discussions • Housing – Housing stock for non-student renters – Housing for families – Existing housing maintenance • Transportation – Active transportation connections and trail opportunities – Opportunities for the future of 12 • Parks – Year-round recreation opportunities – Activating the lakes downtown • Business & Industry – Growing employment diversity across the community – Activating downtown during different times of day, and different times of year • Education – Adapting to enrollment and demographic changes ENGAGEMENT UPDATE Still Taking Input on Events to Plug Information • Business Cards • Comment Box • Idea Board AGENDA • Schedule Update • Engagement Update • Conditions and Trends CONDITIONS AND TRENDS Period % Change Population During Annual Year Population Change Decade Rate 1960 6,830 1970 12,038 5,208 76.3% 5.8% 1980 11,520 -518 -4.3% -0.4% 1990 12,636 1,116 9.7% 0.9% 2000 13,437 801 6.3% 0.6% 2010 14,390 953 7.1% 0.7% 2020 14,889 499 3.5% 0.34% 2000-2020 1,452 9.8% 0.5% 2024 15,807 918 6.2% 1.5% Some of 2020-2024 growth is student enrollment growth  CONDITIONS AND TRENDS University of Wisconsin- Whitewater Historical FTE - Whitewater Campus Do these student live in Whitewater? Does this include online students? What % of students stay in Whitewater after graduation? Historical Enrollment Report CONDITIONS AND TRENDS CONDITIONS AND TRENDS  CONDITIONS AND TRENDS Units (2024) Percent Total housing units 5,925 1-unit, detached 1,946 32.8% 1-unit, attached 514 8.7% 2 units 437 7.4% 3 or 4 units 333 5.6% 5 to 9 units 688 11.6% 10 to 19 units 511 8.6% 20 or more units 1,405 23.7% Mobile home 91 1.5%  CONDITIONS AND TRENDS Median year structure built -- Total Listing Count Owner occupied 1975 53190 Zip Code Renter occupied 1987 60 Year Built Units Percent 50 Built 2014 or later 56 0.9% 40 Built 2010 to 2013 471 7.9% Built 2000 to 2009 1,017 17.2% 30 Built 1990 to 1999 915 15.4% Built 1980 to 1989 546 9.2% 20 Built 1970 to 1979 842 14.2% 10 Built 1960 to 1969 857 14.5% Built 1950 to 1959 283 4.8% 0 Built 1940 to 1949 226 3.8% 202212 202301 202302 202303 202304 202305 202306 202307 202308 202309 202310 202311 202312 202401 202402 202403 Built 1939 or earlier 712 12.0% 202404 202405 202406 202407 202408 202409 202410 202411 202412 202501 202502 202503 202504 202505 202506 202507 202508 202509 202510 202511 202512 202601 American Community Survey Realtor.com CONDITIONS AND TRENDS Total: (2024) 696 For rent 265 Rented, not occupied 182 For sale only 0 Sold, not occupied 27 For seasonal, recreational, or occasional use 65 For migrant workers 25 Other vacant 132 Vacant units available closer to 4.5% CONDITIONS AND TRENDS Median Listing Price Per Square Foot 53190 Zip Code 250 200 150 100 50 0 Realtor.com CONDITIONS AND TRENDS 83% Change In Median HH Income from 2010-2024 Adjusted for inflation – Slightly rising incomes  CONDITIONS AND TRENDS Median Household Median House Value / Median Contract Median Rent as Pct of Income Value Income Ratio Rent Median Income Whitewater $54,969 $229,400 4.17 $878 19.2% Fort Atkinson $79,302 $211,800 2.67 $816 12.3% Milton $85,959 $249,200 2.90 $826 11.5% Elkhorn $77,649 $273,600 3.52 $894 13.8% Janesville $73,446 $223,400 3.04 $888 14.5% Mukwonago $98,273 $366,200 3.73 $1,080 13.2%  CONDITIONS AND TRENDS Median Household Income for Householders 25-44 Median House Value Value / Income Ratio Whitewater $85,174 $229,400 2.69 Fort Atkinson $93,354 $211,800 2.27 Milton $92,201 $249,200 2.70 Elkhorn $101,375 $273,600 2.70 Janesville $79,634 $223,400 2.81 Mukwonago $108,750 $366,200 3.37 Median Household Income for Householders 45-64 Median House Value Value / Income Ratio Whitewater $103,148 $229,400 2.22 Fort Atkinson $88,171 $211,800 2.40 Milton $88,646 $249,200 2.81 Elkhorn $92,059 $273,600 2.97 Janesville $83,248 $223,400 2.68 Mukwonago $101,127 $366,200 3.62 CONDITIONS AND TRENDS Non-resident employees CONDITIONS AND TRENDS Non-resident employees  CONDITIONS AND TRENDS Downtown Visitors Downtown Residents On average, visitors spend 89 minutes downtown when they visit. The majority of Downtown’s population (71.4%) is between the ages of 18 and 25. CONDITIONS AND TRENDS Population Make-up Affordability - Population growing, despite variability in - Real incomes slightly rising against inflation student enrollment; recent housing studies - Home values are in an affordable range for support slight future growth median income of working age adults, but - Confirmation of growing diversity are lower in some nearby cities. - Smaller school aged population, despite - We see that in non-resident employee small upticks in family forming age ranges commuting data Housing Employment - Low single-family construction since 2018, - Workers travelling by necessity spike it 2025 TBD as sustainable – as a result, low median year built of owner units - Listing inventory starting to rise with national trends, but vacancy still low - Prices remain elevated post-pandemic CONDITIONS AND TRENDS Population Forecast Scenarios Annual Growth Rate 2017 Plan Rate 0.75% Annual Growth (2000-2020) 0.51% 2014-2025 Construction Rate 0.5% Placer.ai STI: Popstats 2024-2034 0.43% 2010-2020 Census Trend Rate 0.34% 2024 Rental Market Study 0.24% Dept. of Admin. Area Growth Rate -0.49%  CONDITIONS AND TRENDS Population Forecast Scenarios - DRAFT Scenarios if student population remains the same proportion of total population as in 2024 Annual Growth Rate 2024 2030 2035 2040 2045 2017 Plan Rate 0.75% 15,807 16,532 17,161 17,814 18,492 Annual Growth (2000-2020) 0.51% 15,807 16,301 16,725 17,159 17,605 2014-2025 Construction Rate 0.5% 15,807 16,318 16,756 17,206 17,668 Placer.ai STI:Popstats 2024-2034 0.43% 15,807 16,219 16,571 16,930 17,297 2010-2020 Census Trend Rate 0.34% 15,807 16,132 16,408 16,689 16,975 2024 Rental Market Study 0.24% 15,807 16,036 16,229 16,425 16,623 Dept. of Admin. Area Growth Rate -0.49% 15,807 15,348 14,976 14,612 14,258  CONDITIONS AND TRENDS Population Forecast Scenarios - DRAFT Scenarios if student population at Whitewater Campus stays the same as in 2024 Annual Growth Rate 2024 2030 2035 2040 2045 2017 Plan Rate 0.75% 15,807 16,163 16,471 16,792 17,124 Annual Growth (2000-2020) 0.51% 15,807 16,049 16,257 16,470 16,689 2014-2025 Construction Rate 0.5% 15,807 16,058 16,273 16,493 16,720 Placer.ai STI:Popstats 2024-2034 0.43% 15,807 16,009 16,182 16,358 16,538 2010-2020 Census Trend Rate 0.34% 15,807 15,967 16,102 16,240 16,380 2024 Rental Market Study 0.24% 15,807 15,919 16,014 16,110 16,207 Dept. of Admin. Area Growth Rate -0.49% 15,807 15,582 15,399 15,221 15,047  CONDITIONS AND TRENDS Population Forecast Scenarios - DRAFT Scenarios if student population grows 6% by 2030 Annual Growth Rate 2024 2030 2035 2040 2045 2017 Plan Rate 0.75% 15,807 16,646 16,954 17,275 17,608 Annual Growth (2000-2020) 0.51% 15,807 16,533 16,740 16,954 17,172 2014-2025 Construction Rate 0.5% 15,807 16,541 16,756 16,977 17,203 Placer.ai STI:Popstats 2024-2034 0.43% 15,807 16,492 16,665 16,841 17,021 2010-2020 Census Trend Rate 0.34% 15,807 16,450 16,585 16,723 16,863 2024 Rental Market Study 0.24% 15,807 16,403 16,497 16,593 16,691 Dept. of Admin. Area Growth Rate -0.49% 15,807 16,065 15,882 15,704 15,530  CONDITIONS AND TRENDS Population Forecast Scenarios – DRAFT Given recent studies, regional projections, and UWW enrollment goals, we recommend planning for a 0.40% resident population annual growth rate, with student enrollment increasing 6% by 2030, then remaining static 2024 2030 2035 2040 2045 Recommended Planning Rate – 0.33% Annual Resident Growth + Enrollment growth through 2030 15,807 16,478 16,638 16,802 16,968 NEXT STEPS Advisory Work Group Planning Team/Staff • Promote the website and project • Draft plan goals • Share any meetings and events to promote • Update website and monthly polls the project • Prepare for April Design Workshop • Come to Design Workshop NEXT WORKING GROUP MEETING APRIL 22 IN PERSON & VIRTUAL