Milwaukee officials endorse zoning bill to enhance housing development efficiency

The Housing, Urban Development and Zoning Committee of the St. Louis City Council convened on July 7, 2025, to discuss a significant bill aimed at enhancing housing development within the city. Casey Milberg, the policy director from the mayor's office, expressed strong support for the proposed legislation, highlighting its potential to address the pressing need for single-family and two-family housing.

Milberg emphasized that while the changes may seem minor at first glance, they could lead to substantial improvements in the efficiency of city government operations. The bill is designed to reduce the number of variance requests that the planning department must handle, allowing staff to redirect their efforts toward other critical projects. Additionally, the proposed changes could shorten the timeline from building permit applications to actual construction, thereby increasing the availability of housing in St. Louis.

The discussion underscored the collaborative effort that has gone into crafting this policy, involving multiple city administrations, planning and zoning staff, and various stakeholders. Milberg described the initiative as a "bang for buck" policy that promises to deliver significant benefits to the community.

Evan Winkler from the zoning section also contributed to the conversation, noting that the bill would introduce greater flexibility in land use by aligning regulations with existing overlay districts that do not require minimum lot sizes. This change is expected to optimize the use of current parcels throughout the city.

The committee's discussions reflect a broader commitment to improving housing availability and urban development in St. Louis, with the bill poised for favorable consideration in the coming sessions.