Draft Southwest Area Plan – District 19 Impacts

I attended the October 23 in-person neighborhood meeting on the action proposals in the draft Southwest Area Plan. Only the District 19 neighborhood between the Beltline and Schroeder Rd is included in the Plan, but several action proposals would have important impacts on District 19.

Land Use

• Among the most consequential area plan recommendations is change in the generalized future land use (GFLU). That is because state statutes require that zoning and re-zoning requests must be consistent with the GFLU in the adopted Comprehensive Plan. In Madison, GFLU changes in the area plans eventually amend the Comprehensive Plan.
• The draft plan allows for new mixed use notes north of Schroeder Rd. For instance, the proposed new M-1 (medium residential 1 GFLU) recommended for the corner of Gammon and Schroeder would allow somewhat taller and larger apartment buildings if that area were ever re-developed. Of course, that might not happen in the near future, if ever.
• The draft plan also recommends expansion of affordable housing in District 19 and establishment or expansion of Tax Incremental Financing Districts to support mixed use and affordable housing in the neighborhood.

Image credit: City of Madison Planning Division

Bike and Pedestrian Network

• The draft plan proposes additional bike lanes in District 19
• Even more dramatic is the recommendation for additional pedestrian/bike underpasses or overpasses at the Beltline in District 19. While this might seem to be something for the very distant future, there is another possibility. The condition of Beltline pavement will likely lead to reconstruction of this segment of the Beltline in the not too distant future. That would be the opportune time to add these connections and improve the exiting Struck Rd underpass.

Image credit: City of Madison Planning Division

Street Network

• Several connector streets are recommended for District 19
• Of significant interest to residents right now is the recommendation  for a Safe Streets for All study of Schroeder Rd to examine ways to reduce speeds and improve safety for drivers, pedestrians (especially students walking from District 19 across Schroeder). Such a study would dovetail with the announced Madison Metropolitan School District to include Schroeder in a hazardous street analysis.
• While it would only happen if Vitense Golfland were to be redeveloped, the Plan includes a recommendation to redesign the intersection of Schroeder Rd and Whitney Way. The eastern end of Schroeder would terminate in a cul-de-sac and a new angled extension of Schroeder would provide a safer connection with Whitney Way.

Image credit: City of Madison Planning Division

More Opportunities to Comment on action proposals in the draft Plan

• The full set of draft actions, partnerships, and maps, which allow for commenting and feedback, are available here.
• You can also register to attend two upcoming virtual meetings.
• Virtual Meeting
  • Wednesday, October 29, 2025
  • 6:00pm – 7:00pm

• Virtual Meeting
  • Thursday, October 30, 2025
  • 12:00pm – 1:00pm