Metro Network Redesign and Highlights for the Week of May 23, 2022

• The Common Council will meet virtually at 6:30pm on Tuesday, May 24.
  • Meeting details
  • Meeting agenda
  • Watch online

Lake Mendota Drive 2022 Project

After approving the geometry for the entire Lake Mendota Drive project, the Common Council will be taking up the [implementation] plans and assessment for 2022 proportion of the project on Tuesday (Agenda Item #7). The 2022 project includes Lake Mendota Dr. from Baker Ave. to Epworth Ct., and Capital Ave. from Lake Mendota Dr. to the lake. The Board of Public Work approved the 2022 plans and assessments on May 11th. 

For information about additional City meetings scheduled for this week, please consult the City Meeting schedule.

Metro staff presented an update on the proposed Metro Transit Network Redesign at Transportation Policy and Planning Board on Monday, May 16th and a Community Public Hearing on Thursday, May 19th. You can watch both [similar] videos here: Community Engagement.

Of note to District 19 residents is the proposed Amendment 6a. 

Metro Transit and the City of Madison Transportation Policy and Planning Board will hold a virtual public hearing at 6pm on May 31 to discuss the proposed network redesign expected to go into effect in June of 2023.

• Legistar Link
• Agenda
• Register to Speak

Interested persons are encouraged to attend the virtual public hearing or provide feedback prior to the hearing date. Consideration will be given to views and comments expressed at the public hearing, as well as to all comments collected from surveys, emails, phone calls, letters, etc. over the past several month. Complete info can be found here.

Last week was National Public Works Week. Engineering hosted a blog panel each day last week focusing on one question, and answers from staff across their agency:

• Public Works Week Panel: What is 1 example where Engineering has been resilient and ready? posted May 20, 2022
• Public Works Week Panel: What is 1 program that Engineering has that is most helpful for residents? posted May 19, 2022
• Public Works Week Panel: What does the future of Public Works hold for local municipalities? posted May 18, 2022
• Public Works Week Panel: What is something that continues to surprise you about working in Public Works? posted May 17, 2022
• Public Works Week Panel: Why is it important to work in Public Works? posted May 16, 2022

• Food Scraps Recycling at Eastside Farmer's Market and South Madison Farmer's Market Begins on June 14, 2022

• Help Name the Streets Division's Electric Compactors

• Public Health Announces $1 Million in Funding for Anti-Violence Work

• Mayor and Council Leadership Condemn Racist Buffalo Shooting

• Four Resumes Received for District 20 Common Council Vacancy

Backyard Homes Project

The City of Madison is pleased to announce the launch of the Backyard Homes Project and the availability of new financing to support the development of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). The Backyard Home's Project is a joint effort undertaken by the Department of Planning, Community and Economic Development to foster the development of ADUs and create more housing options through creative solutions.

ADUs come in all shapes and sizes. They are widely known as the small backyard cottage or carriage house. However, an ADU can also take the form of a new housing unit attached to an existing home, or carved out of an existing space like a garage, attic or basement, or built above a garage.

ADUs have been allowed in the City since 2013, but they required special approval through the conditional use process. In an effort to make easier the creation of ADUs, the City made ADUs a permitted use in all zoning districts where single-family homes are allowed. Thus, in these parts of the City, a property owner can create an ADU without needing any special permit or approval. The City made other changes to the ordinance to increase the allowable size (livable square footage) to 900 square feet, and to limit ADUs to no more than two (2) bedrooms.

Easing the regulatory requirements for ADUs is an important step to encourage their development in the City. However, getting financing to create them remains a major barrier for homeowners.

The City's Backyard Homes Project will help address that problem by offering direct loans to City home owners interested in developing ADUs. The Backyard Homes Project makes $400,000 available for loans in 2022. This is a limited opportunity and applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Learn more about the Backyard Home's Project by visiting the ADU loan page here.

• Safety Saturday on the Square is coming on June 11, 8am-1pm! Join the Madison Fire Department, MGE, and other community partners for fun activities and information about fire safety, bike safety, car safety, water safety, and much more! Read more here.

• The City of Madison Engineering Division will hold an online public information meeting to provide information on proposed dredging at the public Spring Harbor Park Boat launch on Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at 6:00 pm. [More details] 

If you have questions, comments, suggestions, etc., feel free to reach out: district19@cityofmadison.com

-Keith F