Dear Community,
We live in a special place here in Wauwatosa, and we have an opportunity (and some might feel a responsibility) to do what we can to support creatures in which we coexist. Birds are an important part of the ecosystem that we are all dependent on and adopting Section 24.09.120 Bird Friendly Buildings will make a significant positive impact on decreasing bird populations and help create a community awareness in this regard.
Allen Becker's comment makes an excellent point that we should consider the domino effect of helping birds: "There may be added construction costs pertaining to the bird-friendly glass. However, if those costs are included in the early design stages, costs should be minimal. But, beyond actual construction cost differences, we should be mindful of the non-monetary cost advantages: protecting biodiversity (birds act as pollinators, seed dispersers, and predators of pest species), reducing the environmental costs of pesticides (birds play a crucial role in pest control, reducing the need for chemicals), economic benefits via tourism (according to the US Fish and Wildlife service, birdwatching generates billions of dollars in revenue nationally, through support of local businesses and job creation)."
Thank you to those who have brought this to the forefront and hope to see positive changes as a result.
Sincerely,
Faith Nichols
While it is laudable that Wauwatosa has been designated a "High Flier Bird City", there is no escaping the huge impact that building strikes have on our already struggling bird populations. The staff recommendation submitted by Mr Mark Hammond states that "Wauwatosa would be the first city in the Milwaukee metro area to impose such a regulation..." with the conclusion that this would place Wauwatosa at a disadvantage. I disagree.
Wauwatosa is a "hot" city right now. Wouldn't it be a huge statement for Wauwatosa TO BE A LEADER in the Milwaukee metro area? If not us, who? Who better than Wauwatosa?
The Houses in my neighborhood at 69th and Wright sell in days, as many people are attracted to the family friendly nature of the city, the abundant parks that provide needed green space and wellness opportunities that are so important in the current climate. Pass this ordinance and business will STILL come, and in a more responsible way, to the benefit of Wauwatosa residents now and well into the future.
Let's put some meaning behind "High Flier Bird City". Let's show some thought for the future. Let's LEAD the Milwaukee area. Please support this ordinance.
Best Regards,
Mark McNally, PhD
2518 N 69th St
Wauwatosa WI 53213
Wauwatosa has been designated as a Bird City for many years now and it makes full sense to pass this ordinance to give further strength to our community's commitment to birds.
Implementing this ordinance will position Wauwatosa as a leader in bird conservation, joining Madison and other major cities (Chicago and Minneapolis, for example) that have enacted similar measures to protect migrating birds.
There may be added construction costs pertaining to the bird-friendly glass. However, if those costs are included in the early design stages, costs should be minimal. But, beyond actual construction cost differences, we should be mindful of the non-monetary cost advantages: protecting biodiversity (birds act as pollinators, seed dispersers, and predators of pest species), reducing the environmental costs of pesticides (birds play a crucial role in pest control, reducing the need for chemicals), economic benefits via tourism (according to the US Fish and Wildlife service, birdwatching generates billions of dollars in revenue nationally, through support of local businesses and job creation).
I am submitting my comments in support of the Bird-Friendly Building Ordinance.
I see that the comments regarding background and rationale have already been excellently made in the Ordinance details sent to CAC members. The preventable killing of up to 1B birds annually is significant especially in addition to other factors such as habitat and climate change, specifically 56% of collision-related deaths occurring at low to mid-rise buildings.
Fact: Reduction of transparent and glass surfaces has been shown to significantly reduce death and injury to bird populations.
The information provided to this Committee by the Alderpersons here clearly outlines the fiscal as well as aesthetic benefits of such a designation. The idea is not new; the implementation of this leads the way to ongoing implementation in other cities. Supporting evidence abounds in our fellow midwestern urban areas. These bird-friendly measures are an important issue especially in light of more urbanization and less natural habitat for wildlife which is clearly evidenced by seeing more wildlife – foxes, coyotes, turkeys – in our urban corridors.
Isn’t it much better to avoid these avian deaths rather than have to clean them all up afterwards?
Wauwatosa has been designated as a Bird City for many years now and it’s time to support that designation by being pro-active in supporting our wildlife. If the City of Wauwatosa is going to continue to approve and fund this seemingly endless building of more and more apartment buildings - against the wishes of the majority of Wauwatosa residents - then the onus is on the City to approve these responsible bird-friendly measures.
Lastly, it certainly is noted that minimal notice was given for community members to be aware of and submit comments for this proposal. I would strongly encourage more timely notices for Wauwatosa residents, especially toward improving community quality of life. Certainly, there would be more participation from residents if notices were made timely, thus eliminating the perspective of Council bias.
Again, I urge you to pass this Bird-Friendly Building Ordinance, Section 24.09.120.
Janet Anderson
Dear Community,
We live in a special place here in Wauwatosa, and we have an opportunity (and some might feel a responsibility) to do what we can to support creatures in which we coexist. Birds are an important part of the ecosystem that we are all dependent on and adopting Section 24.09.120 Bird Friendly Buildings will make a significant positive impact on decreasing bird populations and help create a community awareness in this regard.
Allen Becker's comment makes an excellent point that we should consider the domino effect of helping birds: "There may be added construction costs pertaining to the bird-friendly glass. However, if those costs are included in the early design stages, costs should be minimal. But, beyond actual construction cost differences, we should be mindful of the non-monetary cost advantages: protecting biodiversity (birds act as pollinators, seed dispersers, and predators of pest species), reducing the environmental costs of pesticides (birds play a crucial role in pest control, reducing the need for chemicals), economic benefits via tourism (according to the US Fish and Wildlife service, birdwatching generates billions of dollars in revenue nationally, through support of local businesses and job creation)."
Thank you to those who have brought this to the forefront and hope to see positive changes as a result.
Sincerely,
Faith Nichols
Dear Friends:
While it is laudable that Wauwatosa has been designated a "High Flier Bird City", there is no escaping the huge impact that building strikes have on our already struggling bird populations. The staff recommendation submitted by Mr Mark Hammond states that "Wauwatosa would be the first city in the Milwaukee metro area to impose such a regulation..." with the conclusion that this would place Wauwatosa at a disadvantage. I disagree.
Wauwatosa is a "hot" city right now. Wouldn't it be a huge statement for Wauwatosa TO BE A LEADER in the Milwaukee metro area? If not us, who? Who better than Wauwatosa?
The Houses in my neighborhood at 69th and Wright sell in days, as many people are attracted to the family friendly nature of the city, the abundant parks that provide needed green space and wellness opportunities that are so important in the current climate. Pass this ordinance and business will STILL come, and in a more responsible way, to the benefit of Wauwatosa residents now and well into the future.
Let's put some meaning behind "High Flier Bird City". Let's show some thought for the future. Let's LEAD the Milwaukee area. Please support this ordinance.
Best Regards,
Mark McNally, PhD
2518 N 69th St
Wauwatosa WI 53213
I support the Bird-Friendly Building Ordinance.
Wauwatosa has been designated as a Bird City for many years now and it makes full sense to pass this ordinance to give further strength to our community's commitment to birds.
Implementing this ordinance will position Wauwatosa as a leader in bird conservation, joining Madison and other major cities (Chicago and Minneapolis, for example) that have enacted similar measures to protect migrating birds.
There may be added construction costs pertaining to the bird-friendly glass. However, if those costs are included in the early design stages, costs should be minimal. But, beyond actual construction cost differences, we should be mindful of the non-monetary cost advantages: protecting biodiversity (birds act as pollinators, seed dispersers, and predators of pest species), reducing the environmental costs of pesticides (birds play a crucial role in pest control, reducing the need for chemicals), economic benefits via tourism (according to the US Fish and Wildlife service, birdwatching generates billions of dollars in revenue nationally, through support of local businesses and job creation).
Thank you for considering these points.
I am submitting my comments in support of the Bird-Friendly Building Ordinance.
I see that the comments regarding background and rationale have already been excellently made in the Ordinance details sent to CAC members. The preventable killing of up to 1B birds annually is significant especially in addition to other factors such as habitat and climate change, specifically 56% of collision-related deaths occurring at low to mid-rise buildings.
Fact: Reduction of transparent and glass surfaces has been shown to significantly reduce death and injury to bird populations.
The information provided to this Committee by the Alderpersons here clearly outlines the fiscal as well as aesthetic benefits of such a designation. The idea is not new; the implementation of this leads the way to ongoing implementation in other cities. Supporting evidence abounds in our fellow midwestern urban areas. These bird-friendly measures are an important issue especially in light of more urbanization and less natural habitat for wildlife which is clearly evidenced by seeing more wildlife – foxes, coyotes, turkeys – in our urban corridors.
Isn’t it much better to avoid these avian deaths rather than have to clean them all up afterwards?
Wauwatosa has been designated as a Bird City for many years now and it’s time to support that designation by being pro-active in supporting our wildlife. If the City of Wauwatosa is going to continue to approve and fund this seemingly endless building of more and more apartment buildings - against the wishes of the majority of Wauwatosa residents - then the onus is on the City to approve these responsible bird-friendly measures.
Lastly, it certainly is noted that minimal notice was given for community members to be aware of and submit comments for this proposal. I would strongly encourage more timely notices for Wauwatosa residents, especially toward improving community quality of life. Certainly, there would be more participation from residents if notices were made timely, thus eliminating the perspective of Council bias.
Again, I urge you to pass this Bird-Friendly Building Ordinance, Section 24.09.120.
Janet Anderson