Updates for the week of November 22nd

Greetings friends and neighbors, 

Cheers to a (hopefully) short work week for all! As a heads up, I will be "out of office" Thursday November 25th-26th, returning Monday November 29th. Please expect a longer than usual email response from me during this time.

As we enter into a season that emphasizes family, connection/community and gratitude, I would like to extend my graditute to each of you. Last week I received an encouraging text from a neighbor after a very difficult week of budget deliberations and an issue at one of our in-district parks. The text reminded me to reflect on how lucky I am to serve District 16 and work with such dedicated and passionate residents and City staff. It surely isn't easy work but it is an honor to be in this role and one I do not take lightly. Thank you!

Have a wonderful rest of your week!

Jael

Dairy Drive Sheltered Campground Updates

As you may have read in a recent Wisconsin State Journal article, residents of the sheltered campground have begun moving in. The site is not yet fully occupied but moves will continue to gradually occur until there are no more vacancies. As a reminder, this site will serve no more than 30 individuals at a time. 

Several neighbors have reached out with kind offers of volunteering their time - thank you so much! At this point, donations are the items most needed to help residents settle into their new home. The donation list compiled by staff can be found online at http://machonehealth.org/dairy-drive-shelters-donation-page/. 

Additionally, support staff at the site are focusing on helping folks move in as well as continuing their outreach efforts with individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness. Please give both the staff and residents a bit of time to make this transition before hearing back about volunteer opportunities and needs. 

Traffic/Construction Updates

I-39/90 northbound ramps CLOSED to US 12/18 westbound and eastbound (Exit 142 A-B) 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday and Tuesday nights (Nov. 29-30). Drivers should follow the signed detour route.

One lane CLOSED on westbound US 12/18 from Millpond Road to the I-39/90 southbound loop ramp on Monday and Tuesday (Nov. 22-23).

All I-39/90 lanes and interchange ramps are OPEN through the Beltline interchange (Exit 142 A-B).

Northbound Interstate ramp to westbound US 12/18 (Beltline) is a right-side exit shortly after the Ho Chunk Gaming Casino. Pay attention to the signage!

Three through lanes for I-39/90 southbound and two dedicated exit lanes to US 12/18.

Read the remaining I-39/90 and Beltline interchange construction operations.

Streets Division Update

The Streets Division will be adjusting drop-off site hours for the winter. The final Saturday availability for 2021 will be November 27, 2021. Beginning on Monday, November 29, 2021 the winter drop-off site hours will begin. 

During winter hours, only the drop-off sites at 1501 W. Badger Rd. and 4602 Sycamore Ave. will be open. The drop-off site at 402 South Point will be closed and will remain closed until April 2022. 

For more information, please read the entire update here. 

Meetings this week

Finance Committee, Monday 11/22, 4:30pm, Online

Register for the Finance committee meeting HERE.

The Finance Committee will be meeting tonight (Monday 11/22), online beginning at 4:30pm. One resolution (Legistar File #68291, Agenda #10) that impacts D16 will be heard. This resolution seeks to authorize a purchase and sale agreement between the City of Madison and South Central Library System (SCLS). The SCLS currently rents two facilities with leases that expire in May 2023. As such, their board created 3 goals including designing a building that operationally meets their needs better and achieving savings. If approved, the SCLS will be on Graham Place in the Pflaum Rd Industrial Park. 

Plan Commission, Monday 11/22, 5:30pm, Online

Register for the Plan Commission meeting HERE.

The Plan Commission will also be meeting tonight (Monday 11/22), online beginning at 5:30pm. Two related resolutions that impact D16 will be heard. The first (Legistar File #67825, Agenda Item #8) is a request to change the zoning of properties located at 3953-4051 Kipp Street, 16th Aldermanic District, from A (Agricultural), IL (Industrial Limited) and CN (Conservancy) Districts to IL (Industrial Limited) and CN (Conservancy) Districts. The second (Legistar File #67807, Agenda #9) is a request to approve the preliminary plat and final plat of Replat of Tradesmen Commerce Park, creating four lots for future industrial development, re-creating an outlot for public stormwater management, and creating one outlot for private stormwater management. The City Planning Division is recommending approval for both of these resolutions.

Another resolution (Legistar File #68079, Agenda #19) of interest is in regards to the approval of ADU's (Accessory Dwelling Units). The commission will be considering a resolution to change ADU from a conditional use to a permitted use on all districts, change the maximum area per lot and maximum size of ADUs, and allow attached ADUs to be smaller than 500 sq ft. 

Please note all City offices will be closed November 25th and 26th in observance of Thanksgiving and Ho-Chunk Day. 

Announcements, press releases, press conferences, etc.

As the City works to plan reconstruction on an iconic passage into the City of Madison, so many people and ideas contributed to the current skyline and beautiful drive into the heart of the city on John Nolen Drive. Everyday Engineering podcast host and Engineering Public Information Officer Hannah Mohelnitzky hosts Madison historian and author David Mollenhoff to talk about what ideas and designs were initially planned for the city's most well-known street, the vision of John Nolen, collaboration with American Architect Frank Lloyd Wright (among many impressive others, too!) and the lasting legacy that may have you saying "Thank you, John Nolen!" the next time you drive downtown. Download/share/listen link.