Robin Palm, AICP
@bourbonplanner.bsky.social
Urban planner for Mt Pleasant, WI
American Planning Association WI SE Rep
Resident Washington Heights, Milwaukee, WI
Opinions are my own & not those of any office or organization.
Formerly: https://twitter.com/BourbonPlanner
American Planning Association WI SE Rep
Resident Washington Heights, Milwaukee, WI
Opinions are my own & not those of any office or organization.
Formerly: https://twitter.com/BourbonPlanner
Reposted by Robin Palm, AICP
Wisconsin's 6-story single-stair bill dropped last month with 9 bill sponsors.
Oddly, the bill creates a council consisting of industry gatekeepers to author the single-stair code including an IRC expert even though 6-story projects would be under the IBC
docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related...
Oddly, the bill creates a council consisting of industry gatekeepers to author the single-stair code including an IRC expert even though 6-story projects would be under the IBC
docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related...
Wisconsin Legislature: AB784: Bill Text
docs.legis.wisconsin.gov
February 9, 2026 at 5:52 PM
Wisconsin's 6-story single-stair bill dropped last month with 9 bill sponsors.
Oddly, the bill creates a council consisting of industry gatekeepers to author the single-stair code including an IRC expert even though 6-story projects would be under the IBC
docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related...
Oddly, the bill creates a council consisting of industry gatekeepers to author the single-stair code including an IRC expert even though 6-story projects would be under the IBC
docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related...
So, remember that scene in Andor where the empire shoots one of its own security forces at a protest to justify a crackdown an takeover of Gorman?
The empire wanted a clean Casus Beli, it would lose the public opinion narrative by killing sympathetic protestors without cause.
Good show, Andor.
The empire wanted a clean Casus Beli, it would lose the public opinion narrative by killing sympathetic protestors without cause.
Good show, Andor.
January 24, 2026 at 11:44 PM
So, remember that scene in Andor where the empire shoots one of its own security forces at a protest to justify a crackdown an takeover of Gorman?
The empire wanted a clean Casus Beli, it would lose the public opinion narrative by killing sympathetic protestors without cause.
Good show, Andor.
The empire wanted a clean Casus Beli, it would lose the public opinion narrative by killing sympathetic protestors without cause.
Good show, Andor.
The 4 alternatives for Reimagining WI-175 are in. WISDOT indicate that public feedback has essentially ruled out the replace in kind option (yay!), and strongly prefers the "End Middle" and/or "End South" options.
I agree, despite major quibbles with some design choices, esp the Cul-de-sacs. #MKE
I agree, despite major quibbles with some design choices, esp the Cul-de-sacs. #MKE
January 22, 2026 at 5:11 PM
The 4 alternatives for Reimagining WI-175 are in. WISDOT indicate that public feedback has essentially ruled out the replace in kind option (yay!), and strongly prefers the "End Middle" and/or "End South" options.
I agree, despite major quibbles with some design choices, esp the Cul-de-sacs. #MKE
I agree, despite major quibbles with some design choices, esp the Cul-de-sacs. #MKE
You know, all the focus is on stealing and creepy aspects of AI, art, people impersonation, or whatever.
But for a lot of applications its a complete game changer: leveling the playing field for those with ideas, but without the capital to pay armies of professionals for thankless grunt work.
But for a lot of applications its a complete game changer: leveling the playing field for those with ideas, but without the capital to pay armies of professionals for thankless grunt work.
January 16, 2026 at 4:00 PM
You know, all the focus is on stealing and creepy aspects of AI, art, people impersonation, or whatever.
But for a lot of applications its a complete game changer: leveling the playing field for those with ideas, but without the capital to pay armies of professionals for thankless grunt work.
But for a lot of applications its a complete game changer: leveling the playing field for those with ideas, but without the capital to pay armies of professionals for thankless grunt work.
"Just one more lane, bro!" Shenandoah mountain style!
Virginia has about 325 miles of interstate 81, and the counties it goes through don't even get to a million people combined.
Congressman Ben Cline just proposed widening the entire stretch from 4 to 6 lanes. a ~20 Billion dollar project???
Virginia has about 325 miles of interstate 81, and the counties it goes through don't even get to a million people combined.
Congressman Ben Cline just proposed widening the entire stretch from 4 to 6 lanes. a ~20 Billion dollar project???
January 15, 2026 at 9:08 PM
"Just one more lane, bro!" Shenandoah mountain style!
Virginia has about 325 miles of interstate 81, and the counties it goes through don't even get to a million people combined.
Congressman Ben Cline just proposed widening the entire stretch from 4 to 6 lanes. a ~20 Billion dollar project???
Virginia has about 325 miles of interstate 81, and the counties it goes through don't even get to a million people combined.
Congressman Ben Cline just proposed widening the entire stretch from 4 to 6 lanes. a ~20 Billion dollar project???
Heya. Guys.
The stress test needed on whether the “American experiment” is success or not just came back.
I got bad news…
Did anyone remember to save their game in 1966 or something?
The stress test needed on whether the “American experiment” is success or not just came back.
I got bad news…
Did anyone remember to save their game in 1966 or something?
January 3, 2026 at 10:43 PM
Heya. Guys.
The stress test needed on whether the “American experiment” is success or not just came back.
I got bad news…
Did anyone remember to save their game in 1966 or something?
The stress test needed on whether the “American experiment” is success or not just came back.
I got bad news…
Did anyone remember to save their game in 1966 or something?
Stinkoman wishes you a happy 20X6!
January 1, 2026 at 6:07 AM
Stinkoman wishes you a happy 20X6!
Reposted by Robin Palm, AICP
Control sequel where you become Federal Reserve Chairman and need to use a variety of supernatural abilities, rituals, and cutting edge tech to prevent the economy from breaching containment and annihilating the material plane.
December 23, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Control sequel where you become Federal Reserve Chairman and need to use a variety of supernatural abilities, rituals, and cutting edge tech to prevent the economy from breaching containment and annihilating the material plane.
You love to see it.
sidewalk plowing in action in downtown minneapolis… let me drive it
December 19, 2025 at 12:07 AM
You love to see it.
When I tell folks that data centers can be leverage to neutralize their bad effects, they think I'm talking sci-fi.
Nope, not science fiction, just countries that function properly.
Here an MS data center is tapped to heat water and homes in chilly Finland.
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
Nope, not science fiction, just countries that function properly.
Here an MS data center is tapped to heat water and homes in chilly Finland.
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
Power-Hungry Data Centers Are Warming Homes in the Nordics
By pairing computer processing facilities with district heating systems, countries like Finland and Sweden are trying to limit their environmental downsides.
www.bloomberg.com
December 17, 2025 at 11:01 PM
When I tell folks that data centers can be leverage to neutralize their bad effects, they think I'm talking sci-fi.
Nope, not science fiction, just countries that function properly.
Here an MS data center is tapped to heat water and homes in chilly Finland.
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
Nope, not science fiction, just countries that function properly.
Here an MS data center is tapped to heat water and homes in chilly Finland.
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
Umm.. Wisconsin Dems better adopt Ranked Choice Voting fast.
I don't wanna figure out strategic voting in a 12 way primary whose winner gets a plurality of 12%
That just winds up with a candidate who wagered $1 more than the previous person on the Price is right.
www.jsonline.com/story/news/p...
I don't wanna figure out strategic voting in a 12 way primary whose winner gets a plurality of 12%
That just winds up with a candidate who wagered $1 more than the previous person on the Price is right.
www.jsonline.com/story/news/p...
Joel Brennan, former top Evers official, enters Dem field for governor
Joel Brennan, a former top official in the Evers administration, is joining the Democratic field for the 2026 gubernatorial election in Wisconsin.
www.jsonline.com
December 11, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Umm.. Wisconsin Dems better adopt Ranked Choice Voting fast.
I don't wanna figure out strategic voting in a 12 way primary whose winner gets a plurality of 12%
That just winds up with a candidate who wagered $1 more than the previous person on the Price is right.
www.jsonline.com/story/news/p...
I don't wanna figure out strategic voting in a 12 way primary whose winner gets a plurality of 12%
That just winds up with a candidate who wagered $1 more than the previous person on the Price is right.
www.jsonline.com/story/news/p...
Lol.
They defintitely did not mention this in the materials.
For reference, this carries like 40_60% of the traffic of thr Hoan Despite 2 other bridges 7 blocks away east and west urbanmilwaukee.com/2025/11/29/t...
They defintitely did not mention this in the materials.
For reference, this carries like 40_60% of the traffic of thr Hoan Despite 2 other bridges 7 blocks away east and west urbanmilwaukee.com/2025/11/29/t...
Transportation: 27th Street Bridge Will Close For A Year
I-94 project will cause key local road’s longterm closure.
urbanmilwaukee.com
November 30, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Lol.
They defintitely did not mention this in the materials.
For reference, this carries like 40_60% of the traffic of thr Hoan Despite 2 other bridges 7 blocks away east and west urbanmilwaukee.com/2025/11/29/t...
They defintitely did not mention this in the materials.
For reference, this carries like 40_60% of the traffic of thr Hoan Despite 2 other bridges 7 blocks away east and west urbanmilwaukee.com/2025/11/29/t...
Reposted by Robin Palm, AICP
The default speed for private autos should be 25 MPH. If the car sees or senses a higher speed limit, then you can go up to that speed. We have the technology.
November 29, 2025 at 11:57 PM
The default speed for private autos should be 25 MPH. If the car sees or senses a higher speed limit, then you can go up to that speed. We have the technology.
Reposted by Robin Palm, AICP
If you could easily lose your life riding in a painted bike gutter, always and unapologetically ride your bike on the sidewalk.
November 15, 2025 at 8:43 PM
If you could easily lose your life riding in a painted bike gutter, always and unapologetically ride your bike on the sidewalk.
The one thing missing from the conversation about the future of Milwaukee's 794 downtown freeway spur, and the potential for removing it, is the inevitability the the Daniel Hoan bridge is going to come down in 2053.
November 13, 2025 at 8:04 PM
The one thing missing from the conversation about the future of Milwaukee's 794 downtown freeway spur, and the potential for removing it, is the inevitability the the Daniel Hoan bridge is going to come down in 2053.
Reposted by Robin Palm, AICP
I'm so worried about what'll happen when our kids are old enough to have phones!!!! 😮😮😮
![A meme depicting a woman staring at her phone with one hand on her head, with the following text below:
IS YOUR CHILD TEXTING ABOUT THE WRECK OF THE EDMUND FITZGERALD?
What your Great Lakes maritime history-obsessed teen's text messages actually mean:
brb = bell rang bro
rofl = rang out for lost (crew)
bff = big freakin' freigher
lol = Load of Ore on the Lake
smh = shift minutes to hours
glhf = Great Lakes hella freighter
tbh = taconite be haulin'
stfu = steer the freighter upwind
tfw = that freakin' witch (of November)
asl = a ship lost
gg = Gitche Gumee
idc = immoderate deadweight capacity
btw = beneath the waves
afk = a freighter kaput
hbd = hauler's beacon down
ily = iron load yonder
jk = just [24] kilometers
lmao = lost my abyssal ore
nbd = north bound draft
glhf = good lord, hold flooding
omg = obliteratingly massive gales
tmi = too much iron
wtf = White Fish (Bay)](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:ccm7gttkbfs2eyyrlpshmeun/bafkreib6ughtj23oqdskaisavrueyn6fijujbp2e663h6p6ukx74lbibyu@jpeg)
October 31, 2025 at 5:10 PM
I'm so worried about what'll happen when our kids are old enough to have phones!!!! 😮😮😮
Oh, are they putting affordable housing and a subsidized daycare there instead??
I withdraw my concerns, then!!
I withdraw my concerns, then!!
October 25, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Oh, are they putting affordable housing and a subsidized daycare there instead??
I withdraw my concerns, then!!
I withdraw my concerns, then!!
Something tells me they did not pull the proper permits for this.
October 24, 2025 at 12:08 AM
Something tells me they did not pull the proper permits for this.
You know, you'd think a state that uses 59% of its residential energy on space heating and 18% of its energy on water heating would welcome development where HOT WATER is the primary "waste" by-product, right?
Like "Oh yeah, I think we could use that!"
But Noooo
www.jsonline.com/story/news/l...
Like "Oh yeah, I think we could use that!"
But Noooo
www.jsonline.com/story/news/l...
There are 21 data centers in the Milwaukee area and likely more on the way. Here's what you should know about them
Wisconsin is home to 43 data centers as of July 2025 with more likely on the way. Here's what you should know about the facilities.
www.jsonline.com
October 16, 2025 at 8:26 PM
You know, you'd think a state that uses 59% of its residential energy on space heating and 18% of its energy on water heating would welcome development where HOT WATER is the primary "waste" by-product, right?
Like "Oh yeah, I think we could use that!"
But Noooo
www.jsonline.com/story/news/l...
Like "Oh yeah, I think we could use that!"
But Noooo
www.jsonline.com/story/news/l...
You gotta love how aggressively wrong people will be on very easily provable facts.
"Hey, Data Centers were a big reason Iowa expanded wind energy to be 60% of its total output"
"No way! That's impossible! Sometimes it's not windy!!!!"
#greenenergy #datacenters
"Hey, Data Centers were a big reason Iowa expanded wind energy to be 60% of its total output"
"No way! That's impossible! Sometimes it's not windy!!!!"
#greenenergy #datacenters
October 8, 2025 at 10:52 PM
You gotta love how aggressively wrong people will be on very easily provable facts.
"Hey, Data Centers were a big reason Iowa expanded wind energy to be 60% of its total output"
"No way! That's impossible! Sometimes it's not windy!!!!"
#greenenergy #datacenters
"Hey, Data Centers were a big reason Iowa expanded wind energy to be 60% of its total output"
"No way! That's impossible! Sometimes it's not windy!!!!"
#greenenergy #datacenters
Reposted by Robin Palm, AICP
I see Mark Sanchez is ending his broadcasting career the same way he ended his NFL career
by getting cut
by getting cut
a husky dog is playing with a stuffed animal and making a funny face with its mouth open .
ALT: a husky dog is playing with a stuffed animal and making a funny face with its mouth open .
media.tenor.com
October 5, 2025 at 2:47 AM
I see Mark Sanchez is ending his broadcasting career the same way he ended his NFL career
by getting cut
by getting cut
A woman was drunk & crossed over the middle of the road & crashed head on into a school bus w/ 19 elementary schoolers on board.
1) It was 804am
2) Her own 2 year old child was in the backseat of her SUV.
Thankfully, only the bus driver sustained minor injuries & she went straight to jail.
1) It was 804am
2) Her own 2 year old child was in the backseat of her SUV.
Thankfully, only the bus driver sustained minor injuries & she went straight to jail.
September 29, 2025 at 6:07 PM
A woman was drunk & crossed over the middle of the road & crashed head on into a school bus w/ 19 elementary schoolers on board.
1) It was 804am
2) Her own 2 year old child was in the backseat of her SUV.
Thankfully, only the bus driver sustained minor injuries & she went straight to jail.
1) It was 804am
2) Her own 2 year old child was in the backseat of her SUV.
Thankfully, only the bus driver sustained minor injuries & she went straight to jail.
Reposted by Robin Palm, AICP
Wisconsin Republicans announced a large housing package today, & there's a lot of good stuff in here that should get bipartisan support. There's also some stuff that I'm not sure survives the nit picking process, depends on how fast they push. Let's chat
wiseye.org/2025/09/23/n...
wiseye.org/2025/09/23/n...
News Conference: Assembly Republicans Housing Bills Briefing - WisconsinEye
On September 23, 2025, Rep. Robert Brooks (R-Saukville) and members of the Assembly Republican caucus held a news conference to discuss a package of bills related to housing.
wiseye.org
September 26, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Wisconsin Republicans announced a large housing package today, & there's a lot of good stuff in here that should get bipartisan support. There's also some stuff that I'm not sure survives the nit picking process, depends on how fast they push. Let's chat
wiseye.org/2025/09/23/n...
wiseye.org/2025/09/23/n...
Wisconsin Republicans announced a large housing package today, & there's a lot of good stuff in here that should get bipartisan support. There's also some stuff that I'm not sure survives the nit picking process, depends on how fast they push. Let's chat
wiseye.org/2025/09/23/n...
wiseye.org/2025/09/23/n...
News Conference: Assembly Republicans Housing Bills Briefing - WisconsinEye
On September 23, 2025, Rep. Robert Brooks (R-Saukville) and members of the Assembly Republican caucus held a news conference to discuss a package of bills related to housing.
wiseye.org
September 26, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Wisconsin Republicans announced a large housing package today, & there's a lot of good stuff in here that should get bipartisan support. There's also some stuff that I'm not sure survives the nit picking process, depends on how fast they push. Let's chat
wiseye.org/2025/09/23/n...
wiseye.org/2025/09/23/n...
Despite being an urban planner for ~ 10 yrs, I still lose the precise # for an acre in my brainfog.
But today I learned that the technical definition of an acre is "One chain by one furlong", which is also 66ft x 660ft. Much easier!
Or you could just use this handy chart!
#urbanplanning
But today I learned that the technical definition of an acre is "One chain by one furlong", which is also 66ft x 660ft. Much easier!
Or you could just use this handy chart!
#urbanplanning
September 24, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Despite being an urban planner for ~ 10 yrs, I still lose the precise # for an acre in my brainfog.
But today I learned that the technical definition of an acre is "One chain by one furlong", which is also 66ft x 660ft. Much easier!
Or you could just use this handy chart!
#urbanplanning
But today I learned that the technical definition of an acre is "One chain by one furlong", which is also 66ft x 660ft. Much easier!
Or you could just use this handy chart!
#urbanplanning