Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of October 19, 2026

posted 

In the D19

  • Wexford Village and Rough Lee Court Re-Zoning: Madison is proposing to re-zone all single-family planned developments (PD's) to standard single-family zones. Prior to re-forming its zoning code in 2013, developers favored using the planned development route (a unique zone for each development) to get approval of the features that they felt single-family home buyers wanted. After reform, developers found they could accomplish this under the new standard zones. PD's are somewhat cumbersome for permitting officials responding to homeowner applications for new decks, additions, and other improvements. Recent amendments to single-family homes also allow homeowners to add accessory dwelling units or convert their single-family home to a duplex. However, in Wexford Village in District 19, such additions are prohibited by covenants, which are not impacted by this re-zoning. There are separate resolutions for the re-zoning in each alder district. The Planning Division refers to this initiative as a “horizontal re-zoning" which is not intended to significantly change the housing density. Due to my nearly thirteen years serving on the Wexford Village board and the board's decision to oppose the re-zoning, I will be recusing myself from voting on the measure. For District 19 –
  • Wexford Village Water Main Flushing: The Madison Water Utility will again be flushing water mains in Wexford Village next week.
  • Bat Fest, Saturday, October 24: Join the Friends of Owen Conservation Park for hands-on activities to learn about bats, what you can do to help them, and the bat conservation happening at Owen Conservation Park. Free, fun and educational for all ages. 
Bat Fest at Owen
Image credit: Madison Parks Department

Updates and Notices

  • Farmers' Market Food Scraps Drop-off is Winding Down: You are running out of time to bring food scraps to one of your neighborhood farmers' markets. Get details on where you can drop-off food scraps for free so they will be composted on the food scraps website.
  • Fall Tree Planting Season Starts October 19: Urban Forestry crews will be planting around 1,000 trees around all of Madison this fall. If you receive a tree in the right of way space in front of your home, follow our new tree care tips and keep the tree watered until the ground freezes.

Boards, Commissions, and Committee Meetings

Note: This is not a complete list of meetings for this upcoming week. All meetings and their details can be found at the Meeting Schedule page.

  • Common Council: The Common Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, October 6, at 6:30 p.m. in hybrid format. Agenda items include a decision on terminating the appointment of the Interim Independent Police Monitor.
  • Plan Commission: The Plan Commission meeting will take place on Monday, October 19, at 5:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include creating Section 28.022-00824 of the Madison General Ordinances to change the zoning of property located at 301 South Westfield Road.
  • Board of Public Works: The Board of Public Works meeting will take place on Wednesday, October 21, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include reviewing the City Engineer's report on the impacts of water resources and the necessity of permits for public works construction projects listed in this agenda.
  • President's Workgroup on Madison Police Department Use of Deadly Force, De-Escalation and Body-Worn Cameras Policies and Procedures: The President's Workgroup on Madison Police Department Use of Deadly Force, De-Escalation and Body-Worn Cameras Policies and Procedures meeting will take place on Wednesday, October 23, at 5:00 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include a discussion on body-worn camera policies of other municipalities

If you would like more information about becoming a member of the City board, commission, or committee, please visit the page linked here.

Announcements and News Releases

  • South Stoughton Road Service Road Closure at Pflaum Road Begins October 21: Beginning Wednesday, October 21, the southbound South Stoughton Road Service Road will be closed at its intersection with Pflaum Road for approximately two weeks to allow for concrete paving and the necessary curing time before reopening to traffic… [posted October 16, 2026]
  • Flu Season Off to Early Start in Dane County: Flu activity is increasing earlier than expected in Dane County, and Public Health is encouraging everyone ages 6 months and older to get their annual flu shot sooner than later. [posted October 16, 2026]
  • MPD to offer free active shooter response training: MADISON, Wis. – The Madison Police Department is offering a training designed to save lives in an active shooter situation. The next session of the Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) will be held on Nov. 9.  The training is free… [posted October 15, 2026]
  • White Cane Day 2026: October 15 is White Cane Safety Day, a nationally recognized day that supports and highlights the rights of those with visual impairments. Approximately one million Americans have blindness while another six million Americans suffer from vision loss… [posted October 15, 2026]
  • Public Art Installed at Men's Shelter Through Percent for Art Program: Unity, Spirit, Community is a collection of colorful mosaic panels made out of tile and mirror created by artist Laurel True. The mosaics were recently installed to the exterior of the shelter. [posted October 14, 2026]
  • Designing Safer Streets: 2026 Vision Zero and Speed Management Projects: Vision Zero Madison has been a safety initiative in Madison since 2020 and has implemented hundreds of safety improvements projects in those 6 years since the start. These projects focus on Proven Safety Countermeasures like high visibility… [posted October 12, 2026]

Please visit the City news webpage to find additional news and announcements and to subscribe to receive notification of news releases as they are posted.

Events

Additional upcoming events can also be found on the City events calendar.

Categories:

Was this page helpful to you? * required