Breaking Bread & Capital VI (June, 2026)

Breaking Bread & Capital VI: The Zoning Room
Cracking the Code on Land Use & Entitlements
Event Details
Date: Thursday, June 11, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (CT)
Location: 230 W Wells Street, Suite 212, Milwaukee, WI
Format: Expert Panel Discussion – Light refreshments provided

In Partnership With
• City of Milwaukee – Department of City Development
• Continuum Architects + Planners

Session Overview
Opening: Setting the Foundation
• What “by-right” development actually means and why it matters to your bottom line
• How to read a zoning map and what you should know how to look up on your own
Zoning Mechanics & Site Opportunities
• Conversion and density upgrade feasibility – what’s possible and what requires rezoning
• Redeveloping underutilized sites like surface parking lots into taxable projects
Parking & Flexibility
• Where parking minimums apply, where they don’t, and how shared parking arrangements can work in your favor
Navigating the Approvals Process
• Variance vs. special use permit vs. rezoning – which path is right for your project
• What kills deals at the zoning stage – and how to catch it early
Architect Segment: Design, Timing & Finance
• Why involving an architect before zoning can save a project’s timeline and budget
• How good design can influence planning board decisions
Guest Speakers
Tanya Fonseca, AICP
City Planning Director
Department of City Development | City of Milwaukee
Tanya Fonseca, AICP, serves as City Planning Director in the City of Milwaukee’s Department of City Development. In her role, she leads planning initiatives that support equitable growth, neighborhood vitality, land use, and community development. Her work spans planning and zoning, economic development, housing, environmental stewardship, and cross-department coordination to help align public investment with community priorities.
Michael Mazmanian
Department of City Development | City of Milwaukee
India Gaar
Board of Zoning Appeals | City of Milwaukee
Speaker TBD
Continuum Architects + Planners

Who Should Attend

Professionals in real estate development (residential, commercial, mixed-use)

Investors, LPs, lenders, and capital allocators

Architects, urban planners, engineers, and construction professionals

Students and early-career professionals entering the built environment

Firms in adjacent industries (legal, finance, consulting, policy)

Hosted By

AK Development

Boost Alliance

Info: Facilitated introductions and guided conversations among attendees.

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Host or Publisher AK Development