Council updates, planned developments, events, and transportation updates

Hello neighbors,

Some updates from last night’s Common Council meeting that may be of interest:

• The declawing of cats in Madison will be banned.
• Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) will be allowed as a permitted use rather than a conditional use.
• Bicycle parking will be allowed in front, side and rear yard setbacks, and uncovered decks will be allowed in permitted setbacks.

You may begin adding dry and empty paper cups to your home green recycling cart!

There are a couple of housing developments being proposed in the district, for which I am working on scheduling online neighborhood meetings in January:

• The first one, a redevelopment of the Smoky’s site on University, will be presented for information only at the Urban Design Commission on December 15 at 4:30pm.
• A redevelopment of the former Stop-n-Go gas station site on Speedway is also being planned.

Both redevelopments are proposed as mixed-use housing, with commercial space on the ground floor. Watch for future announcements about neighborhood meeting dates!

By Youth For Youth is looking for student-led projects, clubs, and ideas that will better Dane County. Grants of $3,000 are available. Applications Due: January 9, 2022

There are myriad ways for you to enjoy and give back to your community, particularly at this time of year. Here are a few opportunities that have crossed my in-box lately:

• Zonta Club of Madison invites you to join the First Annual 16 Days of Activism Orange Umbrella Bridge Walk on Saturday, December 11. The walk is the finale to the Global 16 Days of Activism End Violence Against Women & Girls Campaign. Meet at 11am on the State Capitol sidewalk, across from Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
• Madison Bach Musicians will present a concert of seasonal pieces from the Baroque era on December 12.  Pre-concert lecture at 2:45, concert at 3:30 at First Congregational Church, 1609 University.  
• Luna’s Groceries, 2010 Red Arrow Trail, Madison, is collecting new toys for children in the Allied Drive/ Dunn’s Marsh neighborhood. You may drop off unwrapped gifts appropriate for children ages 2-14 through December 23.
• Mentoring Positives is offering 10% off holiday gift boxes (use the coupon code “giftbox”)
• Pasture and Plenty is offering their Bakers Against Racism: Bake the Holidays Better Bake Sale. Order before December 18!

The Greater Madison Metropolitan Planning Organization has shared a number of updates:

• Public involvement meetings for the Connect Greater Madison: Regional Transportation Plan 2050 were held in November. A final series of public meetings is planned for March, and the MPO Board is expected to approve the final plan in May.
• Metro’s Transit Network Redesign project seeks to re-imagine Metro’s service to complement and work with Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). The City of Madison Transportation Policy and Planning Board (TPPB) directed staff to design a transit network that will focus frequent service on a limited number of routes serving areas with high densities of jobs and residents, with some basic service levels also provided to lower-density areas with transit-dependent populations. Look for the Draft Network Plan release in January 2022. Implementation of the new transit network will begin in August 2023, when BRT routes begin operation.
• A summary report and full results of the Greater Madison Telework Survey 2021 are now available. The summary includes an overview of survey results; comparisons to 2020 survey data; and an equity analysis of key questions.
• The MPO Policy Board approved the 2022-2026 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for the Madison Metropolitan Area & Dane County at their meeting on October 6, 2021. The TIP lists major transportation improvements and studies with approved or committed funding during the next five-year period.
• Explore the Capital Area Regional Planning Commission’s draft 2050 Regional Development Framework through a new website. The project site brings the draft Framework to life through narrative, images, and interactive maps.

Be well,

Regina Vidaver