Family definition, AASPIRE internship, Meeting & Event Highlights for the Week of February 27, 2023

- Neighborhood meeting for 2335 City View Drive on February 21, 2023

- Family Definition Revision 

- AASPIRE Internship 

- Meetings 

- Events 

- Save the date 

- Announcements 

- Winter updates 

Missed the recent neighborhood meeting for 2335 City View Drive on February 21, 2023? Watch the recording here. 

On tomorrow's (2/28/23) Common Council agenda, we will take up and vote on the proposed revisions to the Family Definition policy in the City's zoning ordinance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Change the Family Definition?

1. Improve Equity. This rule disproportionately affects people of color and lower-income residents. These groups are more likely to be renters and more likely to need to share housing to afford rent, especially with rents so high. In Madison, 52.7% of white households are homeowners, 30% of Latino households are homeowners, and 15.3% of Black households are homeowners (U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Data, 2019). Among households in Madison, the median Black household is the only demographic by race or ethnicity unable to afford the median rent in the City. This ties into economic segregation of geographic opportunity, significantly limiting affordable housing access to certain areas of the City (2022 Madison Housing Snapshot). Whether a buyer or a renter, there are housing affordability issues in Madison, but renters are more likely to be low income. Renters are also more likely to be cost-burdened than homeowners (2022 Madison Housing Snaphot). Renters are more likely to need to share housing costs by having roommates.
2. Increase Housing Choice. A household of three unrelated people cannot live together in over 1/3 of our land area. This policy limits housing choice. Large 3 and 4 bedroom houses, commonly built today, are often limited to two unrelated adults if they rent. Many households today are not the “traditional” family that our zoning code continues to prioritize and benefit. The family definition restricts occupancy. It negatively affects renters including students, young adults, and retirees.
3. Current Practice Has Negative Impacts. Some neighbors weaponize the family definition against neighbors. We receive about 20 complaints each year. Some complaints are about students, and some are racially driven. Enforcement relies on people trusting us and answering questions honestly. Unfortunately, their honesty may cost them their housing. We rely on people not having the knowledge, power, or resources to contest our orders. Current practice forces people to lose their homes – not because it’s unsafe or because it’s not zoned to allow housing - but because their household does not conform to an outdated ideal. We believe enforcement is counter to the City's mission and values.

Learn more about what's being proposed here. 

The City of Madison is currently accepting applications for its AASPIRE internship. This is a paid, summer internship that lasts for 8-10 weeks. Applicants should be currently enrolled in college or have graduated since May 2021.

Internships are available in the following City departments and areas of interest.

Engineering Division - Public Information

Finance Department - Data & Innovation

Fire Department - Digital Media Archivist

Human Resources Department - Compensation Study

Madison Public Library - Marketing Intern

Parks Division (4 openings) - Ecology, Golf, Parks Alive!, and Public Information Officer

Planning Division (2 openings) - Geographic information System (GIS) and Neighborhood Planning

Traffic Engineering - Vision Zero Public Information Assistant

Interns will work on a meaningful project in their area of interest. Interns will also be provided the opportunity explore and establish career goals, acquire practical interviewing experience, develop essential skills, broaden their professional network, learn more about future employment opportunities, and gain experience in public service. City managers will provide you guidance, mentoring and help interns understand what it means to provide public service. 

The posting and application can be accessed here.  Application deadline is March 19th

Common Council: The Common Council will meet in hybrid format on Tuesday, February 28, 2023. Agenda items include commending William Schaefer, Transportation Planning Manager for the Greater Madison MPO, on his retirement after nearly 25 years of dedicated public planning service and amending supplemental regulations within Section 28.151 MGO and definitions within Section 28.211 of the Madison General Ordinances to update definitions of “Family”.

• Meeting details
• Meeting agenda
• Register for public comment
• Watch online

• Public Input Meeting: Fraust | Harvey Schmidt | Heifetz Parks, 03/02/2023 Virtual - Zoom: The City of Madison Parks Division is continuing the process to create a master plan for each of the former Town of Madison parks: Fraust, Harvey Schmidt and Heifetz parks. A master plan provides a big-picture overview of each of the park parcels and includes community input. Neighbors are invited to attend a virtual Zoom meeting as we gather your input on the existing and desired uses and amenities at each park.
• Winter Family Night on Lake Mendota, 03/01/2023: Bring your family down to Outdoor UW for a fun filled evening of skating (or snowshoeing if lake ice conditions make skating impossible)! This event will be filled with all the laughter, music, and games that your family needs to enjoy the Wisconsin Winter at Memorial Union. Our staff will teach you everything you need to know to get outside this winter. Beginners are welcome!
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Tenney Park 03/04/2023 Tenney Beach: Nature-expert guided walks in Tenney Park along Lake Mendota and the Yahara River Parkway bike path through the Madison Isthmus are free, family-friendly and held the first Saturday of each month, from 2:30-4pm. The walk begins at the Tenney Beach parking lot, 1330 Sherman Avenue.
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Cherokee Marsh, North 03/05/2023 Cherokee Marsh - North Unit: Cherokee Marsh is Madison’s largest conservation park with three units - North, South, and Mendota. Each month, year-round we explore the north unit's beautiful trails through the woodlands, wetlands, and restored prairies along the Yahara ‘Catfish’ River. 
• 9th Annual Latino Art Fair, Friday, March 3, 5:30pm - 7:30pm: Celebrate the rich roots of Latino art in culture at the 9th Annual Latino Art Fair! Talented artists from throughout South Central Wisconsin will exhibit and sell their artwork, including paintings, photography, pottery, jewelry, music and more.

• FREE HUD-APPROVED HOMEBUYER EDUCATION CLASS (IN PERSON) – SATURDAY MARCH 18TH: The City of Madison, in partnership with the Home Buyers Round Table of Dane County and Consumer Credit Counseling Service, want to share with you our next HUD Approved Homebuyer Education class of 2023 for the month of March! 2023 class schedule is up and you can find it here: https://homebuyersroundtable.org/events/list/?tribe-bar-search=education (there is a class every month this year, both virtual and online)!

• Madison Arts Commission Annual Arts Grants Opportunity 2023-24: The City of Madison is pleased to announce that applications are now open for art grants that provide support for projects that enrich the cultural landscape of the City.
• Snowplow Names Election Results: The Streets and Engineering Division are happy to announce the winners of the snowplow equipment naming election.
• Wisconsin Book Festival Kicks Off 2023 Season Under New Leadership: The Wisconsin Book Festival begins its spring season on Sunday, February 19, under the leadership of newly named Director Jane Rotonda.
• City Partners with Centro Hispano on New South Madison Facility with Land Swap Deal and Early Investment: The City of Madison is proud to celebrate with partner Centro Hispano as the nonprofit breaks ground on its brand new building this Wednesday, February 22 at 3 pm.
• Early Start to Trash & Recycling Collection on February 22, 2023 Due to Winter Storm: The Streets Division will be starting collection of trash and recycling early on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 due to the winter storm.
• Mayor’s Purchase Award granted for a portrait of activist, leader, & public servant Dick Wagner : City of Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes Conway selected a portrait of Dick Wagner by Rae Senarighi, aka Transpainter, for the 2022 Mayor’s Purchase Award.
• Atwood Avenue Reconstruction Project Begins: (MADISON, Wis.)—The reconstruction of Atwood Avenue from S. Fair Oaks Avenue to Cottage Grove Road is officially underway.

Alder Madison

district17@cityofmadison.com