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December Updates

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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 .***There are three sections to this week's update:

  1. Downtown Updates
  2. City of Madison Updates
  3. Meetings and Events of Interest

Downtown Updates

529 University Ave (The Vintage) Demolition Meeting: Dec. 11th at 5:30p (virtual)

The developers - the Carey Group - for the 529 University Ave, or the Vintage, is looking to receive approval for the demolition of the site. I understand that Honestly, I was surprised that the development would be considered for demolition so soon, when there has not yet been much pubic engagement on this item beyond the neighborhood meeting this summer. In every other development that I have worked with, the demolition permits are considered at the same meeting as the conditional use permit. So, this consideration does seem premature to me. 

Here is some information about the demolition permit process. 

  • Notice for demolition: Per City of Madison ordinance, the agent (or developer) is required to notify interested parties, including the alder and neighborhood association, 30 days prior of an intent to file demolition application. The Carey Group did notify me of an intent to file in September; however, this communication was sent to my personal email address and not my alder email. As a result, I learned of the demolition application a little after the it was officially filed on October 30th. 
  • Application and Public Hearing: Following an official submittal of the application and acceptance of review, a public hearing prior to the Plan Commission meeting will be scheduled. Property owners and occupants will be notified of the public hearing date and time. In this case, the public hearing is on Dec. 11th. It appears that property owners and residents near the Vintage have indeed been notified. 
  • Landmarks Commission Review: Every demolition application must be reviewed by the Landmark's Commission. This is basically to see if there is historic value to the building. The commission found that there was no known historic value to this building. 
  • Plan Commission Review: The Plan Commission will review the demolition permit application following the public hearing on Dec. 11th. There are seven standards of approval that needs to be met according to MGO 28.185.
    • The Plan Commission will make a decision whether to approve, approve with conditions, or deny a demolition or removal permit.
    • The commission can add conditions to approval. For example, they could approve with conditions that Common Council approves the conditional use permit for the building. Under this condition, the demolition permit would be permitted only if the full development gets approved. In other words, the developer would not be allowed to demolish the building unless there is approval for a new development. 
Demolition Standards

All this being said, I intend to request the Plan Commission for referral of the public hearing and demolition permit review until the new year. Although some of the steps for submitting a demolition permit application and such have been taken, there has not yet been a robust dialogue between with the developer and the neighborhood association about the demolition or conditional use permit. The steering committee for the development has not yet begun. With an item of such great public interest, it is important that we provide ample opportunity for community engagement prior to making a decision on demolition. 

If you have any thoughts, questions, or concerns about the demolition permit and implications, feel free to email me (district2@cityofmadison.com) or Plan Commission (pccomments@cityofmadison.com). We'd also love to hear your thoughts about the demolition at the Plan Commission meeting. Mark your calendars for Dec. 11th at 5:30p and stay tuned for meeting details. 

State Street Pedestrian Mall Experiment Meeting: Dec. 4th at 5:30p

We are very excited to host a hybrid meeting to share what we've been up to with the State Street Pedestrian Mall experiment. The initial concepts that I've seen are super cool and I'm so excited for it to be public. 

We'd love to receive feedback on the initial concepts. City staff will be sharing preliminary concepts and ask for input on the timing of closures to vehicles, delivery hours, programing and activation, design, art and other whimsy to get people to #FlockToState next summer.

The public meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 4 at 5:30 p.m.

You have two options for attending the meeting:

  • Join the meeting virtually using your computer, smartphone or tablet, or you can listen in via telephone. You will receive login information after registering.
  • Attend the meeting in person at the Madison Municipal Building, Room 215, 215 Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard.

Looking for Neighbors Interested in Participating on the State Street Campus Garage Ad-Hoc Committee

The State Street Campus Garage development provides a unique opportunity to have a significant investment in public art. This is brought about by the Percent for Art program, which requires that 1% of city funding for capital projects go towards public art. In this project, we have a little under $500,000 to play with to complete a major public arts project. 

We are seeking neighbors who are interested in participating as members on the ad-hoc committee. Members will review and help decide upon an artist for the project. People that live or own a business in the downtown and state street area are welcome to submit an application for the committee. If you are interested, please email me (district2@cityofmadison.com) and staff (mekberg@cityofmadison.com). 

City of Madison Updates

Common Council 12/5 6:30p

  • Item 14: Adopting an amendment to the City of Madison Comprehensive Plan.

I shared some of my thoughts about this update in my previous blog. It seems that hopefully there will not be as much dissent on the escalator clause as previously anticipated. Hopefully the Comprehensive Plan Update will be approved without too much issue. 

  • Item 75: Approving the allocation of up to $1,850,000 of additional Affordable Housing Funds to be divided between Wisconsin Housing Preservation Corporation (WHPC) for Gardner Bakery Housing Redevelopment and St. John’s Lutheran Church

As some of you may know, the St. John's affordable housing development came up a bit short in their financing. As such, both the city and the county has allocated additional affordable housing funds to bridge this gap. Thank you to Dane County Supervisor Heidi Wegleitner for collaborating with us on ensuring that these fund were allocated. I'm super hyped to see the project get started!

Alder Wehelie drafted a resolution which "calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and urgent political action to both de-escalate the crisis and to prioritize truth, reconciliation, restitution, and the building of a future for the Palestinian and Israeli people." The resolution also calls for the safe release of hostages and release of humanitarian assistance to Palestinian people. 

  • Item 110: Condemning Islamaphobia and Antisemitism

Alders Vidaver and Wehelie led this resolution. This resolution firmly condemns acts of Islamaphobia and Antisemitism and "encourages all Madisonians to foster an environment of open and constructive dialogue, education, and communication that provides a supportive space as our communities engage in these crucial conversations."

Meetings and Events of Interest

Events

  • Yoga Core, Tuesdays & Fridays, October 6 through December 15, 2023:  Want to build your strength and increase body awareness? Yoga Core is great way to do it! This class incorporates a wide variety of seated, standing, balancing, and mat-based yoga poses focusing on strength, stability, and mobility. Core-based practices can help enhance balance and stability and prevent falls and injuries as we age. All levels are welcome! 
  • Holiday Lights Tour & Reception, Tuesday, December 5: Catch the holiday spirit as we tour Olin Park’s Holiday Lights display! Vans leave from the Goodman Community Center and will stop at the Madison Senior Center on the way to Olin Park. Afterwards, we will return to Goodman to enjoy a holiday reception of cookies & hot chocolate. Registration required! 
  • Wellness Talks: The Energies of Sleep, Wednesday, December 6: If you struggle with sleep, you probably feel like you've tried everything! You may have changed your sleep environment, developed a bedtime routine, tried supplements, or modified your diet. But have you tried balancing your body's energy systems? They play an important role in our ability to get a good night's sleep.
  • Learn to Nordic Walk, Friday, December 8: What is Nordic walking? Join us at Elver Park on Friday, December 8 and get ready for winter! We've partnered with Madison Nordic Ski Club (MadNorSki) for this free workshop. Participants of all ages are welcome and will explore Elver Park and learn where to hike and snowshoe in this park. 
  • Warner Family Fun Night, Friday, December 8: Join us at WPCRC for Warner Family Fun Night! Families can create art projects, play in the game room or the gym, watch a movie or win some prizes playing bingo!
  • Bird & Nature Adventures at Owen Conservation Park, Saturday, December 9: Explore Owen Conservation Park on gentle trails through historic oak openings on a hillside with an Ice Age kettle and along restored prairies with beautiful vistas on this high point overlooking the west side of Madison. Co-sponsored by Madison Parks, Madison Audubon Society, and the Friends of Owen Conservation Park. Free, family-friendly guided nature walks at Owen Conservation Park are held on the 2nd Saturday of each month, year-round 2:30-4pm. No registration is required. No pets are allowed.
  • Bird & Nature Adventures at Turville Point Conservation Park, Sunday, December 10: Follow rolling hiking paths through the Turville Point Conservation Park woodlands and prairie with beautiful vistas of Lake Monona and Monona Bay. Walks at Turville Point held on the 2nd Sunday every month are co-sponsored by Madison Bird City FUN partners, Madison Parks, Friends of Olin Turville, and Madison Audubon Society. Meet at the Turville Point parking lot, entrance at the E. Olin Ave. stoplight from John Nolen Drive at the railroad tracks, south of Olin Park (not at the boat launch). No registration is required. No pets are allowed.
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District 2 - Alder Bennett

Alder Juliana Bennet

Alder Juliana Bennett

District 2
Contact Alder Bennett

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