Why are there still open fields/farmlands in Northwest Milwaukee (Waukesha: houses, schools)

[KJZ 91]

While now farms in Big Bend and Muskego have given way to new suburban development, why are there still open areas in the far northwest side. I dont think these areas are that farther away from downtown than Muskego/big Bend are. Im guessing its because of crappy schools that suburban families want no part of. Or maybe its because the nearer parts of the northwest side are crappy, thus stunting growth outwards. Are there any plans for development here? your thoughts would be appreciated.

[karfar]

Originally Posted by KJZ 91

While now farms in Big Bend and Muskego have given way to new suburban development, why are there still open areas in the far northwest side. I dont think these areas are that farther away from downtown than Muskego/big Bend are. Im guessing its because of crappy schools that suburban families want no part of. Or maybe its because the nearer parts of the northwest side are crappy, thus stunting growth outwards. Are there any plans for development here? your thoughts would be appreciated.

Maybe because the owners haven't bended under pressure from developers? Personally, I'm glad there's still some land to be seen instead of those horrific cookie-cutter subdivisions w/no trees or bushes. Useless.

[Luke9686]

Karfar is probably right. A developer can't just come in and start building houses. There are a lot of politics involved. Plus why would anybody start building now?

[#Littledog]

I know a Milwaukee city employee who has looked at plots of land in Milwaukee bordering Menomonee Falls. I'm not sure if this is the part of Milwaukee you are referring to but there is a developer building in that area. I think this area would attract many city employees who have to live in Milwaukee but would like a little more land.

[adam76]

Also remember that area is still city of Milwaukee. Nominal property tax rates are higher in the city than they are elsewhere which probably does not help attract developers. A $300,000 house would pay much more in taxes than they would just across the border in Washington County.

[city414]

Originally Posted by KJZ 91

While now farms in Big Bend and Muskego have given way to new suburban development, why are there still open areas in the far northwest side. I dont think these areas are that farther away from downtown than Muskego/big Bend are. Im guessing its because of crappy schools that suburban families want no part of. Or maybe its because the nearer parts of the northwest side are crappy, thus stunting growth outwards. Are there any plans for development here? your thoughts would be appreciated.

undevelpe lands in northwest milwaukee, or are you speaking of nearby counties? i havent seen any open fields in north west milwaukee nor farms unless they were in ozaukee county which i do not consider milwaukee metro

[karfar]

Originally Posted by city414

undevelpe lands in northwest milwaukee, or are you speaking of nearby counties? i havent seen any open fields in north west milwaukee nor farms unless they were in ozaukee county which i do not consider milwaukee metro

I was thinking that myself, I can't really think of any areas of Milwaukee bordering Menomonee Falls that would still have farmland, or even a little bit of farmland. I know there's still at least one farm in Menomonee Falls that has held out, it's on Mill Rd. at the end of the street where I used to live, but everything else around it has been developed w/cookie cutter houses. It's sad, I hate driving out there & seeing all those acres of woods & farmland that are gone now.

[Ron Burgundy]

Any parcelage grouping west of 91st St and east of US 45 between Mill Rd and Bradley seems to have available land. There is actually a surprising amount of new housing going up there.

This isn't exactly farmland people are building on. Think more like unused space.

[karfar]

Originally Posted by Ron Burgundy

Any parcelage grouping west of 91st St and east of US 45 between Mill Rd and Bradley seems to have available land. There is actually a surprising amount of new housing going up there.

This isn't exactly farmland people are building on. Think more like unused space.

Yes, I guess you could call it unused space, or vacant lots. Even if they're considered ugly, I still wouldn't mind seeing them stay that way instead of "I'll huff & I'll puff & I'll blow your house down" dwellings going up.

[Geechie North]

From my experience, you don't really hit any appreciable ag land near Milwaukee until you are in far western Waukesha Co., away from the I-94 corridor.

Once you hit Jefferson Co. and on west , farmland is the norm outside of the cities.