Updates & Week of March 13 Meetings of Interest for District 2

District 2 Updates and Meetings of Interest

 

City meetings continue to be mostly virtual with details listed in City Meetings of Interest below. Common Council meetings are hybrid so the public can attend in person or via Zoom.

 

Stay in touch with your neighbors through either Capitol Neighborhoods, Inc. or Campus Area Neighborhood Assoc.

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There are three sections to this week's update:

1. District 2 Updates
2. COVID-19 Resources & Information 
3. City Meetings of Interest to District 2

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1. DISTRICT 2 UPDATES

 

 

• Bus Rapid Transit Construction - Public Information Meeting - Tuesday, March 14 at 6:00 pm.  Work has started on E. Washington, Mineral Point Road, Whitney Way, and University Ave. Attend this virtual public information meeting to learn about road work, construction timelines, and effects on traffic.

• City Enacts New Development Bonus for Affordable Housing Downtown

• Madison Unanimously Adopts New Building Energy Savings Program

• City of Madison Prepares to Sue Kia and Hyundai for Failure to Prevent Car Thefts with Standard Anti-Theft Technology

• City of Madison 2023 Utility Box Art Program Call For Entries - Applications due Wednesday, April 5, 2023

• Agreement Finalized on Grocery Store in South Madison

• From the Water Utility: Madison Launches MadCAP to Reduce Bills of Lower-Income Customers

• From the Mayor: Madison Declares Today International Women's Day

• From the Parks Division: Updates and Events including Earth Day Challenge, Dog Park Cleanup Day, and a new website to learn if Off-Leash Dog Parks are open or closed.

• Disability Advocacy Day Is March 23, 2023 - Thursday, March 23, 2023 at 9:30 am – 3:30 pm: Disability Advocacy Day is a day-long event focused on connecting Self-Advocates with their legislators to talk about issues that matter to them. This event will take place at Monona Terrace.

 

St. Patrick's Day Parade to Close Some Downtown Streets on March 12

The annual St. Patrick's Day Parade will take place on Sunday, March 12. From 11:00am to 4:00pm you can expect Capitol Square and some surrounding streets to be closed, but the parade doesn't begin until 1:30pm. Although no District 2 streets should be closed, traffic impacts for cars and bicycles will include closure of the first blocks of East Washington Ave., East Mifflin Street, and North Hamilton Street. More info here.

 

MPD Conducting Extra Alcohol and Seatbelt Enforcement in March

During the month of March, the Madison Police Department, in partnership with the Dane County Sheriff's Office, will be conducting extra patrols that will focus on enforcing Wisconsin's alcohol and seatbelt laws. These additional enforcement efforts are made possible through traffic overtime grants provided by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
 
According to MPD, the goal of these extra patrols is not only to enhance public safety, but to prevent needless tragedies. Someone is injured or killed in an impaired driving crash every two hours in Wisconsin and thousands of unbuckled passenger vehicle occupants are killed every year in crashes throughout the United States.
 
The Madison Police Department needs your help to make our roads safer in 2023.  Please put your cell phone down, buckle up, slow down and drive sober.  If you have been drinking, please call a sober friend, a cab or a ride share service to get you home safely. 

 

Campus-State Street Parking Garage Redevelopment at UDC on Wednesday

At their Wednesday meeting, the Urban Design Commission will consider final approval for some aspects of the large student-focused apartment building with 248 apartments (some units having reduced rents for under-resourced students) above a new city parking garage that will include a new intercity bus terminal. Mortenson Development was selected by the City as the developer of this public/private project in a competitive process. 

UDC earlier gave initial approval to the public portion of the construction - the new bus terminal and parking garage that will replace the existing garage between Lake Street and Hawthorne Court (the Frances Street side of the parking garage will remain as it is). Materials for UDC's consideration can be found here.

From the Planning Division Staff Report for Wednesday's UDC meeting:

For public projects, the UDC is an approving body on the proposed building, Pursuant to MGO Section 33.24(4)(d), "The UDC shall approve plans for all buildings proposed to be built or expanded in the City by the State of Wisconsin, the University of Wisconsin, the City of Madison, Dane County, the Federal Government or any other local governmental entity which has the power to levy taxes on property located within the City."  

Also from the Staff Report:

Approval Standards: The UDC is an advisory body on the Planned Development request. For Planned Developments the Urban Design Commission is required to provide a recommendation to the Plan Commission with specific findings on the design objectives listed in Zoning Code sections 28.098(1), Statement of Purpose, and (2), Standards for Approval.

Note that Plan Commission has already approved the Planned Development rezoning, but with the condition of approval that UDC complete its review.

Some concerns of UDC and those who use Hawthorne Court for pedestrian access, deliveries, queues for University Avenue businesses, and emergency exits are likely to be discussed. The Campus Area Neighborhood Association has also expressed concerns about the ground floor design, particularly with regard to the bus circulation pattern, but the internal circulation has been more or less finalized due to Plan Commission's approval. The design of external items such as Hawthorne Court and delivery/loading zones on University Avenue and Lake Street are still to be determined, but there should be future opportunities for addressing those particular concerns. I have been working with staff from various city agencies to develop a timeline of the various components of design, demolition, and construction, including additional public input opportunities, and expect that timeline to be available this month.

There is a city website for the project due the public component - the parking garage and intercity bus terminal, so you can continue to track its progress there.

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2. COVID-19 RESOURCES & INFORMATION

From Public Health Madison & Dane County:

• Public Health Announces Closure of COVID Testing Clinic
• The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is offering two FREE COVID test kits per month. Order yours today.
• COVID-19 vaccine webpage
• COVID-19 Data Dashboard
• The latest Data Notes

Dane CORE - for rental and utility assistance.

Visit the City's Coronavirus Website for Madison's COVID updates, responses and resources.

Dane County Food Pantry Network from Community Action Coalition.

State of Wisconsin COVID-19 resources and information from state agencies, including the State Dept. Public Health

Info on UW-Madison's response to the pandemic.

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3. CITY MEETINGS OF INTEREST TO DISTRICT 2

Below are some pertinent agenda items from city committees that are meeting this week. If you click on meeting "Details" below, you will find participation and viewing options, and a link to the full meeting agenda. If you click on an item from within an agenda, you will see all documents that relate to that item.
 
I appreciate hearing from you on any agenda items on which you have a particular interest or concern.

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Finance Committee: Details

4:30pm, Monday, March 13, 2023

 

ITEMS TO BE CONSIDERED

 

Agenda Item 7

SUBSTITUTE: Supporting Madison Metro's FY23 Areas of Persistent Poverty Grant Application to Federal Transit Administration for planning work for Madison's North-South "B" BRT Line

 

Agenda Item 8

Supporting Madison Metro's Section 5339b and 5339c Low or No Emission Grant Applications to Federal Transit Administration for facility solar projects, chargers, and electric 60' articulated buses.

 

Agenda Item 10

Approving Administrative Parcel Reclassification of the Senior Center Courtyard from Urban Plaza to Park and Authorizing the Parks Division to Improve, Program and Maintain as a Public Park  (4th A.D)

 

Agenda Item 14

Authorizing a $62,225 contract with Madison's Central Business Improvement District (BID) to fund the continuation of the Downtown Activities Program focused on existing plazas around the Capitol Square and State Street (2nd, 4th and 8th AD.)

 

Agenda Item 21

2022 Police Department Donation Report

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Plan Commission: Details

5:30pm, Monday, March 13, 2023

 

PUBLIC HEARINGS

 

Zoning Text Amendment

 

Agenda Item 4

 4.75678 Amending Subsections (a) and (b) of Supplemental Regulations related to Keeping of Chickens within Section 28.151 of the Madison General Ordinances to increase the number of chickens allowed as an accessory use.

 

SECRETARY'S REPORT

 

- Recent Common Council Actions

- Zoning Text Amendment - Amending Supplemental Regulations within Section 28.151 and Definitions within Section 28.211 to update definitions of "Family"- Adopted on February 28, 2023 subject to Plan Commission recommendation

- Zoning Text Amendment - Amending Sections 28.078 and 28.079 to eliminate the Residential Point System for Downtown Residential 1 (DR1) and Downtown Residential 2 (DR2) districts - Adopted on March 7, 2023 subject to Plan Commission recommendation

- Zoning Text Amendment - Amending Sections 28.071 and 28.134 to clarify the maximum stories and feet in the Downtown Height Map - Adopted on March 7, 2023 subject to Plan Commission recommendation

 

- Upcoming Matters

– April 10, 2023

- 428-444 State Street - Demolition Permit, Conditional Use and Certified Survey Map Referral - Demolish three buildings to construct six-story tall mixed-use building adjacent to Lisa Link Peace Park with up to 6,445 square feet of commercial space and 26 apartments on one lot (Re-revised request)

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Urban Design Commission: Details

4:30pm, Wednesday, March 15, 2023

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

Agenda Item 6

415 N Lake Street - Planned Development (PD) and Public Project for the New Lake Street Public Parking Ramp and Mixed-Use Building. 2nd Ald. Dist.

Owner: Matt Wachter, City of Madison

Applicant: Michael Oates, Eppstein Uhen Architects

Final Approval is Requested UDC is an Approving Body

Note: See more on this item above in "District 2 Updates"

 

SECRETARY'S REPORT

 

Upcoming Matters:

- 428-444 State Street

Note: The redevelopment of 428 - 444 State Street is expected to at UDC on March 29 and Plan Commission on April 10.

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Economic Development Committee: Details

5:00pm, Tuesday, March 15, 2023

 

NEW BUSINESS / DISCUSSION ITEMS

 

Agenda Item 3

Cooperative Enterprise Development Program

Ruth Rohlich Presenting

 

Agenda Item 4

Office of Business Resources Financial Assistance Programs

Saran Ouk Presenting

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Common Council Executive Committee: Details

5:30pm, Wednesday, March 15, 2023

 

ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION

 

Agenda Item 4

BY TITLE ONLY Dissolving the Ad Hoc Task Force on the Structure of City Government (TFOGS) Final Report Implementation Work Group and Transferring Responsibilities to the Common Council Executive Committee

 

Agenda Item 5

BY TITLE ONLY Authorizing the City of Madison to develop a comprehensive response to the crisis in home healthcare in Madison

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Alcohol License Review Committee: Details

5:30pm, Wednesday, March 15, 2023

 

Presentation of the Consent Agenda

 

At this time, a consent agenda will be moved with the recommended action, or to grant with any recommended conditions if no action is recommended for each item EXCEPT:

 

1) items which have registrants opposed wishing to speak 2) items which members have separated out for discussion/debate purposes 3) items recommending ordinance changes 4) operator license applications

 

Business Name Change

 

Agenda Item 5

Business Name Change

Delicacies of Asia LLC • Current dba: Delicacies of Asia

506 State St

Class B Beer, Class C Wine

Aldermanic District 2 (Alder Heck)

New dba: Hot Pot 608 All You Can Eat

 

21+ Entertainment License

 

Agenda Item 9

21+ Entertainment License

Serrato Entertainment Inc • dba The Capital • Capacity: 250

430 W Gilman St • Agent: Luis Serrato

Class B Combination Liquor & Beer • 70% alcohol, 30% food

Aldermanic District 2 (Alder Heck) • Police Sector 403

Note: This item and Item 14 below are related. The applicant proposes to open a nightclub at the former location of Blue Velvet Lounge. This location is within the Alcohol Overlay District downtown, so they will also need a Conditional Use Permit to be granted by Plan Commission. From what I know, the applicant has not been able to discuss their applications with either MPD or the Campus Area Neighborhood Association. In addition, the informational meeting required per ordinance was seemingly hastily organized and from what I know, no one was invited. If further information and discussion doesn't take place before Wednesday's ALRC meeting, I am likely to recommend referral of both this item and Item 14 to the April ALRC meeting so that there is sufficient time for input from the city and the community.

 

Public Hearing

 

New License - Public Hearing

 

Agenda Item 14

Public Hearing - New License

Serrato Entertainment Inc • dba The Capital

430 W Gilman St • Agent: Luis Serrato • Estimated Capacity (in/out): 250/0

Class B Combination Liquor & Beer • 70% alcohol, 30% food

Alder District 2 (Alder Heck) • Police Sector 403

Note: This item and Item 9 above are related.

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Zoning Board of Appeals: Details

5:00pm, Thursday, March 16, 2023

 

PETITION FOR VARIANCE, AREA EXCEPTIONS OR APPEALS

 

Agenda Item 3

William and Kim Donovan, owners of the property at 531 N. Pinckney Street, Unit B, request a rear yard setback variance for an elevated deck on a multi-family condominium building. Alder District #2.

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Downtown Coordinating Committee: Details

5:30pm, Thursday, March 16, 2023

 

PETITION FOR VARIANCE, AREA EXCEPTIONS OR APPEALS

 

Agenda Item 2

Report of Mall Concourse Maintenance and Special Events

 

Agenda Item 3

2023 Future of State Street Discussion

-Report of Campus Area Neighborhood Association meeting

-Summary discussion and potential next steps

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