Cudahy Farms development harms invaluable trees, wetlands and Milwaukee's health

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16-05-2025

The articles regarding the proposed Cudahy Farms development on the far northwest side don't tell the whole story. The former John Cudahy YMCA land was purchased in 2021 by Royal Capital, a developer who is petitioning to have the zoning changed so they can build a more than 1,100 unit gated community. The mayor is in favor of the project because it is in line with his growing Milwaukee plan.
Residents surrounding the property are opposed. Opposition has been shared at town hall meetings as well as City Planning Commission meeting and the Redevelopment Authority meeting. I attended and spoke in opposition at both meetings.
I felt the members of the committees had already made up their minds. When I presented written information about the environmental impact at the Redevelopment Authority meeting, a decision was made without even looking at or considering the material. Why is the environment always the loser?
The players in this proposed project are ignoring the environmental importance of this 60-acre parcel of land. The Southeastern Wisconsin Planning Commission studied the land in 1999 and identified two critical species habitats: Hilltop Farm Woods on the southern end of the property and Research Woods on the northern end. There are also over 10 wetland areas on the land.
The woods have quality trees that are over 100-years-old. There is a diversity of wildlife from salamanders to great horned owls.
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The significance of these old trees is enormous. According to the Milwaukee Forestry website, urban trees provide an annual savings of $18.8 million in air pollution removal, $1.85 million in avoided stormwater runoff, $1.31 million in energy savings and $1.11 million in carbon dioxide reduction. In this time of climate change, we can use all the trees we can get.
Tree Equity Scores in conjunction with American Forests is an organization that develops tree equity scores for neighborhoods. Trees are part of the urban infrastructure that are essential to public health and well-being. The tree equity scores were created to help address damaging environmental inequities in certain neighborhoods.
The Woodlands, a housing development next to the proposed development, has a score of 65. Hilltop Parish, which is the neighborhood around the proposed development, has a score of 70. In contrast, Brown Deer's score is 94 and River Hills has a score of 100.
The Woodlands and Hilltop Parish have a tree canopy of less than 33% which is considered unhealthy. The canopy will decrease if the trees are cut for the proposed development. Royal Capital has stated that they will plant native trees, but it will take over a hundred years for those trees to replace the benefits of the existing trees.
Studying an aerial view of the area makes removal of the trees even more irresponsible. There is an abundance of hardscape; buildings, many of them empty, large parking lots, apartment complexes. The trees on the proposed Cudahy Farms development stand out as the only real green space.
The state of Wisconsin has a set of principles of smart urban growth. Principle one states 'Promotion of the redevelopment of lands with existing infra-structure and public services and the maintenance of existing residential, commercial, and industrial structures.'
Principle three says 'Protection of natural areas including wetland, wildlife habitats, lakes, woodlands and open spaces and groundwater sources.' The proposed housing project is in direct opposition to smart urban planning. The goal of top city officials seems to be to increase housing and the city's population at all costs.
Green spaces with abundant trees improve air quality, enhance stormwater management and water quality, provide wildlife habitat, and improve the quality of life for people. Why should we care about wildlife? Are salamanders, frogs, owls, and bluebirds more important than humans? When we disturb the complex chain of life, human life is affected.
In the 70's, the chemical DDT was hurting the bird population. When this was recognized, DDT was banned. The damage to the bird population was a wake-up call that humans could be hurt too. The diversity of wildlife is important. Sometimes we don't realize what the loss of a species means until it's too late. What affects nature will eventually affect us.
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We have an epidemic of mental illness in our city. Human interaction with nature helps reduce high heart rate and blood pressure, and promotes a sense of well-being. Many health professionals promote time in nature as a part of good mental health.
Development of subdivisions, multi-unit housing, shopping areas and business parks is not always a good thing. This statement will be outrageous to developers, investors and some politicians. They will be quick to dismiss my ideas as unrealistic and radical. Yes, it is a radical idea.
What I see is people who don't understand how nature works, or just don't care because it interferes with money being made. Right now, money talks and the environment, and ultimately humans, lose.
Nicole Hartley has been a resident of the Hilltop Parish neighborhood for 47 years. She is a retired elementary school teacher and a master naturalist described as a tree-hugging hippie by her children.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee housing development would erase urban tree canopy | Opinion