Common Council

District 3 Updates July 22, 2019

In this update:

1. Beltline improvements meeting

2. Reminder: Dogs in Parks Community Meeting and Survey

3. 5G Cell Phone Coverage

4. Save the Date: Harmony Apartments Follow-Up Meeting

5. What's Happening on Milwaukee Street?

6. Reminder: Community Meeting on The Meadowlands Multi-Family Residences

7. What Happened to the Plans for an Elementary School East of Sprecher Road?

8. City Meetings

9. Events

I. Beltline improvements meeting 

Options extend along the major highway between I-39/90 and Whitney Way 

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is examining a range of alternatives to improve the Madison Beltline's deteriorating pavement and median areas, and to address operational issues during weekday peak traffic periods. 

Meeting date/location
Madison Beltline Improvements Public Involvement Meeting
Wednesday, July 24, 2019, 5 – 8:30 p.m.
Community Room at The Village on Park, 2300 Park Street

Brief presentations by WisDOT staff at 5:15 p.m. and 7 p.m. 

The objectives for the meeting include: 

• Explaining the identified needs for the corridor 

• Outlining options to address identified needs 

• Gathering public input 

Potential improvements 

One option includes resurfacing the pavement, making drainage improvements, and replacing deteriorated sections of median barrier wall. 

WisDOT is also considering upgrades to the median shoulders so motorists can use them as travel lanes. The shoulder lanes would be open during peak travel hours. The added capacity will improve traffic mobility and safety along the Madison Beltline between I-39/90 and Whitney Way. This section currently handles 120,000 vehicles per day. The practice, known as dynamic part-time shoulder use, is currently in place in at least 17 states. 

Part-time shoulder use is recognized as a safe, sustainable and reliable way to alleviate congestion. It allows vehicle traffic on paved shoulders during peak travel times. 

Changeable message signs would be used to indicate when the shoulder is available for use. 

In addition to the mobility improvements, shoulder modifications: 

• Minimize impacts to the environment 

• Does not require additional real estate acquisition from adjacent residences and businesses 

• Could be implemented as early as 2021 

The public is encouraged to attend the meeting to learn more about the proposed options and provide input. 

If you are unable to attend the meeting, or would like more information, contact Brandon Lamers at (608) 246-3852. 

Written comments regarding the project can be mailed to Brandon Lamers, WisDOT Southwest Region Office, 2101 Wright Street, Madison, WI 53704 or brandon.lamers@dot.wi.gov. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing and who require an interpreter may request one by contacting Brandon Lamers at least three working days prior to the meeting via the Wisconsin Telecommunications Relay System (dial 711). 

II. Reminder: Dogs in Parks Community Meeting and Survey

The City of Madison Parks Division and the Parks Long Range Planning Committee are hosting a series of community engagement meetings and a public survey. At the community meetings, staff will provide background information on the current policy (Madison General Ordinance 8.19) and provide a forum for both dog owners and non-dog owners to voice their opinions.

Meeting dates/locations
Tuesday, July 23, The Village on Park Street
2300 S Park St, 53713
The Atrium Community Room

Thursday, July 25, Madison Public Library- Central Branch
201 W Mifflin St, 53703, Room 302

Tuesday, July 30, Sennett Middle School
502 Pflaum Rd, 53716
Dowden Auditorium
 

The ordinance, originally created in 1973, and updated several times since essentially prohibits dogs in most parks and public spaces. Currently, the City of Madison offers eight off-leash dog parks and 26 parks where dogs, on-leash and on path are allowed. The majority of the more than 270 parks do not allow dogs.

"We recognize that our existing policy is outdated and needs to be revisited. Despite the significant growth in licensed dogs in the city and the growth of multi-family housing, most of our parks are not dog-friendly. We also recognize that not everyone wants dogs to be allowed in parks. We want to hear from the community and have a goal of finding an appropriate policy balance that enhances the quality of life for residents," said Eric Knepp, Madison Parks Superintendent.

Information gathered at the community engagement meeting and through the public survey will be the first step in a process of potentially updating or changing the current ordinance. The Parks Long Range Planning Committee (LRP) began considering this project earlier in 2018. With guidance from the public, the LRP will send recommendations for review to the Board of Park Commissioners and Madison Common Council.

The survey is open through mid-August and is posted on the Parks Project page.

III. 5G Cell Phone Coverage

The City of Madison is getting ready for 5G implementation. The City is developing guidelines that will allow cellular companies to locate Small Cell installations in a way that maximizes technological benefits, while attempting to preserve street-side aesthetics.

The growing demand

Wireless companies are installing antennas because there is a growing need for wireless and cellular data. Traditionally, wireless providers used large cellular towers to serve customers, but with newer technology and additional data needs, the towers can't keep up with the increased demand for high speed wireless data. Future 5G technology is also expected to increase download speeds and eventually allow for new capabilities not possible with slower download speeds.

To support the growing need, wireless network providers are starting to install equipment known as "small cells," which are low-powered antennas that provide an area with higher data volume than the large towers, but in a much smaller area. Since the small cells serve smaller areas, the facilities need to be installed much closer together, serving only a couple of blocks in all directions.

The small cell facilities typically are attached to poles within the right-of-way including new standalone poles, utility poles and street light poles. When the small cell is placed on a utility pole or street light pole, the existing pole must be replaced. The small cell equipment is allowed in the public right-of-way per federal and state law, just like utilities. Federal regulations have limited the City's ability to regulate but some regulation is still possible.

IV. Harmony Apartments Follow-Up Meeting

There will be a meeting with Harmony apartments ownership, management and city officials on Wednesday, August 7 at 6:30 pm. The Harmony Apartments will be sharing a number of updates including the installation of cameras, no trespassing signs, nightly security patrols and youth programming. 

Meeting date/location
Wednesday, August 7, 2019, 6:30 pm
Door Creek Church, Room 108, 6602 Dominion Drive
 

V. What's happening on Milwaukee Street?

Resurfacing of Milwaukee Street is planned to start next Monday, and includes the stretch from N Walbridge to I-90. 

The work under the sidewalks of Milwaukee Street in this area is MG&E replacing the gas main.

Information on the resurfacing process, scope of work, and contact person at Engineering can be found here. 

VI. Reminder: Community Meeting on The Meadowlands Multi-Family Residences

This is a development proposal for 6810-6814 Milwaukee Street, 1 Wind Stone Drive, and 45 Wind Stone Drive. KCG Development, LLC proposes to construct The Meadowlands, which would consist of four multi-family buildings with a total of 216 apartments, and seven townhomes. The multi-family buildings would be three to four stories tall, and the townhomes would be two stories tall. This will be a mix of one, two and three bedroom units, though primarily one and two bedroom. 

Meeting date/location
Thursday, August 8, 2019, 6:30 - 8 pm
Door Creek Church, Room 108, 6602 Dominion Drive

The development team and City staff will be on hand to provide information and answer questions. 

This proposal includes units that are workforce housing. This is a subset of affordable housing that targets slightly higher incomes than other forms of affordable housing. In this case, these are individuals making 50-70 percent of the average median income. 

For a single person in the City of Madison, this is an income between $32,100 and $44,940 as of September 2018. An example of rent within this range is $963/month for a 1-bedroom apartment, and $1,101/month for a 2-bedroom.

More information on this proposal can be found in their submitted documents.

The designs are toward the end of the document.

This proposal is now planned to go before the Plan Commission on August 26 and the Common Council on September 3. 

"An important point for residents to understand is that tenants of affordable housing developments have leases, which means they pay rent and must abide by lease terms that are very much the same as any other market rate apartment buildings. Failure to do so puts them at risk of losing their housing. The success of these developments hinges on strong property management," according to Jim O'Keefe, City of Madison Community Development Director. "When it's present, these properties function well; there are examples all over the City."

Other recently constructed apartments receiving Section 42 tax credits include:

The Carbon at Union Corners 

The Madison Mark 

The Breese 

Pinney Lane 

Tennyson Ridge 

8Twenty Park

VII. What happened to the plans for an elementary school east of Sprecher Road?

This is a question I have heard from many folks, and a point of disappointment for many who purchased homes in the Door Creek community 10-20 years ago and were told to expect a brand new elementary school, which never came. 

I've received the latest information from Chad Wiese, Executive Director of  Building and Administrative Services at Madison Metropolitan School District.

The land near Door Creek Church is still owned by the Madison Metropolitan School District and is still intended to be the future site of an elementary school, in fact, it's on their "short list" for building a school. However, it is likely not going to be reviewed for inclusion in a referendum until 2024. MMSD currently is prioritizing investing in the four high schools, and establishing an elementary school on the south side as that is their most underserved area. 

There are going to be extra opportunities coming up for our community to provide input on the Madison Metropolitan School District's plans: there will be a community forum at La Follette likely in the fall, and they are also finalizing an online feedback form for providing input. It's always helpful for the school board to hear from us and our continued interest in having the school built. I'll share the details of the forum and share out the feedback form once those are finalized.

The future location for this school is included on p. 20-21 of the MMSD's Draft Long Range Facilities Plan.

VIII. City Meetings
 

City Weekly Meeting Schedule 

County Weekly Meeting Schedule

District Reports

IX. Events