D6 Items of Interest Week of November 6, 2023

Join me Monday for a neighborhood meeting about proposed changes to the Brayton Lot height map. A proposed amendment to the Downtown Height map for the Brayton Lot would allow up to 10 stories for the entire block instead of its current 10/4 story split. The four-story portion faces the residential and historic First Settlement neighborhood on E Main and parts of S Hancock. This 10/4 configuration has been in the adopted Downtown Plan since 2012. See Monday entry for details.

My goal is to have a portion of this city owned site provide deep affordability at 30-50% area median income as part of a plan to provide a mix of affordable and market rate apartments. Based on my experience affordable housing at 30-50% area median income is usually built with less expensive wood construction methods which are limited in height. Constructing a building taller than 6 stories requires more expensive post-tension concrete construction methods than wood construction which is typically 4 or 5 stories of stick-built housing over a concrete podium. The affordability range in a 10-story building would likely be 60-80% area median income at best, not 30-50%, and if construction pricing continues its inflationary upward trend, then even the 60-80% AMI range might not be financially feasible unless the city contributes a lot of money into the project. If maximum affordability is our goal, not maximum revenues from selling air rights for the block allowing up to 10-stories, then I am not convinced that pushing for the maximum height for the entire block will provide more affordable housing. Let’s make height changes based on our understanding of how affordable housing projects get funded and built.

Instead of the proposed amendment, I would ask neighbors and policy makers to consider keeping the current portion of the block at 10 stories (even possibly up to the Capitol View height limit) but allowing up to 6 stories (4 or 5 stories of stick built + 1 concrete podium) for the current 4-story portion facing S Hancock and E Main St- if- at the street level there was a 2-3 story townhouse type street façade with a 30' stepback.  

Next to the Brayton lot are the two State owned GEF buildings on S Butler St. The state will sell the buildings in the next year to the highest bidder. We will likely see the blocks filled with high end market rate apartments that could go up to the Capitol View height limit. No matter what happens to the current 4-story portion of Block 113, we will be getting more housing in this part of the neighborhood in the next 5 years. Further down E Wash, in the Urban Design District 8, we have successfully used transitions adjacent to the residential neighborhood using a 30-45 degree stepback angle on the north side of E Wash. I think that could be a useful model for the Brayton Lot.

On Monday, O’Keeffe Middle School, along with Blackhawk, Sennett, Sherman, and Whitehorse Middle Schools will see a 20-minute change in start/dismissal times due to the school district’s challenge in maintaining bus transportation. MMSD update school start and dismissal times . One unintended consequence: middle school students will no longer be covered by the city’s school crossing guard program.

The city’s school crossing guard program is designed to serve elementary school students and at this point there is no policy or funds to extend the service to middle schoolers to accommodate the change in hours. I have received emails and calls sharing the alarm about students crossing Williamson St during rush hour at 4:30p without assistance from crossing guards. One email was from a current O’Keeffe crossing guard who states: "I cross 200 kids every morning and afternoon and at least 2 times every day I physically stop kids who are texting or reading messages or talking on phones and not paying attention. There are anywhere from 25 to 40 cars picking up kids, 2 large buses, 2 cabs, 2 vans picking up kids with disabilities. It's an extremely busy and potentially dangerous street to not have crossing guards."​

I share the concerns about inattentive drivers and students. I have been in contact with city staff, the mayor, school district officials, and school board members about this. The city’s Traffic Engineering staff are working with MMSD and specifically O’Keeffe staff to ensure that families know of this change and the city will be providing some education and encouragement for families and students related to safe crossing. Traffic Engineering is also working to get a mobile speed board out to remind drivers of their speeds after the school time changes as it will help remind drivers to slow down. But the speed board will be in place for about 2 weeks. TE has previously upgraded the light at Williamson/Thornton crosswalk to LED. There is a rapid flashing beacon light at that crossing and the city will be encouraging the students that cross there to press the button and use it. According to the City Traffic Engineer, Yang Tao “We do plan to review the [crossing guard] policy with the Transportation Commission in the near future, and we will bring up the discussion. If the Commission recommends changes to the existing policy, we will work with the Common Council on another update to the policy. For your reference, here is a link to the current school crossing guard protection criteria approved by the Common Council in 2016.”https://www.cityofmadison.com/trafficengineering/documents/SchXngProtectCriteria2016.pdf PDF

The Parks Division has two potential designs for the parkland surrounding Garver Feed Mill on the north plat. Both have additional surface parking. One has a dog park, the other proposes walking paths. A public meeting is scheduled for Thursday, December 7 at 6p via Zoom -REGISTER IN ADVANCE and be sure to fill out the survey to gather your input that is open until November 26th.  At the meeting, staff will present background information, survey results, draft plans, listen to feedback, and answer questions. To see the plans, fill out the survey and learn how to participate visit the link below: https://www.cityofmadison.com/parks/projects/olbrich-park-north-parcel-park-development-plan

In addition to Monday’s neighborhood meeting on the Brayton Lot, the Council meets Tuesday and takes up whether alders should be allowed to speak more than 10 minutes on a topic. On Wednesday, UDC will get an informational presentation on the proposed hotel at 929 E Wash and the Board of Public Works will review the proposed changes to the city’s greenway encroachment policy. Also Wednesday, the Transportation Commission will take up requests for traffic signals including several intersections in D6 and the Board of Parks Commissioners will get a presentation on updates to the Interim Comprehensive Plan. More details below. It’s one of those weeks!

Monday November 6 – Landmarks Commission – 5p LC Agenda 11.06.23

5. 79099 3701 Council Crest - New Construction on a Designated Madison Landmark site (District 10)

Staff report 08.14.23 “The proposed project is to construct a new principal structure on the west side of the Old Spring Tavern landmark site. The Old Spring Tavern was designated a Madison Landmark in 1972 for the building, which was constructed in 1854 as a stagecoach stop and tavern. It is listed as significant for its architecture and for its association with transportation history. At the time of designation, the property contained two lots, which became the landmark site.”

Staff report addendum 11.06.23 “During its consideration of this project [on 08.14.23], the Landmarks Commission asked the applicants to reduce the length of the proposed new structure by scaling back the building on the north side, using the 20-foot side setback from the end of Spring Trail as the guide. ..Staff believes that the standards for granting a Certificate of Appropriateness are met...”

This has been a contentious project. We’ll see if LC members agree that the massing, scale and size of the redesigned 4,200 sf house has been altered enough to meet the standards to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness and while the 250-year-old black walnut on the lot is not protected as a part of the landmarked site, we’ll see if the applicant can protect the tree if the project is approved.

Monday November 6 – Neighborhood Meeting – 6:30p St. John’s Lutheran Church, Gathering Center, 322 E Washington Ave

Please join me, Alder Juliana Bennett, and Alder Mike Verveer to discuss the proposal made by several Council members to amend the Downtown Height Map for the Brayton Lot in preparation for the City of Madison to issue a Request for Proposals for a master developer to redevelop this city owned block. The zoning map amendment proposes to change the height map from its current 10 story/4 story split to allow 10 stories on the entire block, 80307. The proposed amendment to the Downtown Height Map goes to the Plan Commission on November 13 and Common Council on November 21.

You have two options for attending the November 6 neighborhood meeting:

• Attend the meeting in person at 6:30pm at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Gathering Center, 322 E. Washington Avenue
• Join the meeting virtually at 6:30pm using your computer, smartphone or tablet, or you can listen in via telephone. You will receive login information after registering at bit.ly/473jkT8

Block 113 Redevelopment Update. The update contains the community survey results which clearly show that maximizing affordability was the highest priority of respondents.

Brayton Lot (Block 113) Get more details and sign up for email alerts.

Tuesday November 7 – Common Council Executive Committee – 4:30p CCEC Agenda 11.07.23

2. 80630 MPD 2023 Third Party Transport Experiment Update

Last June, the Madison Police Department started using a third-party service for emergency detention transports to Winnebago Mental Health Facility. The pilot program was approved in the 2023 operating budget to keep more officers in Madison responding to calls.

Traditionally, transport cases take two officers out of the mix for long periods of time. These officers spend hours waiting on a patient’s placement then hours driving when that placement is halfway across the state.The new pilot program allows MPD to work with REDI Transports, a driving service company created to assist law enforcement agencies. REDI staff are allowed to transport any patient in police custody to Winnebago. This includes cases when someone is involuntarily committed, Chapter 51 returns and other Chapter 51 transports such as alcohol commitments.Madison officers will remain at a local hospital until a patient is medically cleared for transport. Protective custody will then be transferred to REDI during the trip and picked up by Winnebago upon patient arrival. REDI was selected after a competitive proposal process. The pilot program ran through the summer.

3. 80342 Amending Section 2.29(3) related to Alder question and answer following public comments of the Madison General Ordinances to impose a time limit for each Alder questioning public comment registrants.

DRAFTER’S ANALYSIS: Currently, alders may question individuals who provide public comments with no time limit. This ordinance establishes a “five-minute rule” similar to that used by the committees of the U. S. House of Representatives. Under the ordinance, each alder has up to five minutes to ask questions and receive answers from each speaker offering public comments. After the alder has finished their question period, regardless of whether they have used their entire five minutes, their opportunity for asking questions of the same speaker is completed. The amendment allows alders to extend their questioning beyond five minutes upon a two-thirds vote of the Common Council.

Tuesday November 7 – Common Council – 6:30p

1. 80585 Declaring November 20, 2023 to be Transgender Day of Remembrance.
2. 80590 Recognizing November as Homelessness Awareness Month

4.79918 2024 Executive Operating Budget

9. 80088 Public Hearing - New License Lhotse LLC • dba Ama Restaurant 809 Williamson St • Agent: Rajan Pradhan Estimated Capacity (in/out): 40/30 Class B Combination Liquor & Beer • 20% alcohol, 80% food Police Sector 408 (District 6)   10/18/23 ALCOHOL LICENSE REVIEW COMMITTEE RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO GRANT WITH CONDITIONS - The patio shall close by 9pm, daily.51. 80348 Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to amend the 2023 Capital Budget and execute Amendment No. 1 to the existing Purchase of Services contract between the City of Madison and Sasaki for consultant services for the Lake Monona Waterfront (District 4, District 6, District 13, District 14).

59. 80307 Amending map in Section 28.071(2)(a) related to downtown height limits of the Madison General Ordinances to update the Downtown Height Map in the Brayton Lot area. (District 6) AGENDA NOTE: File 80307 was not taken up at the 10/30 Plan Commission meeting, recommended action is to re-refer to Plan Commission 11/13/23, Common Council 11/21/23.

63. 79974 Amending Section 2.13 of the Madison General Ordinances to reduce the time allotted to each Alder for discussion and debate.

DRAFTER’S ANALYSIS: Currently an alder may not speak more than twice nor more than ten minutes at any one time regarding any motion without a two-thirds vote of the members present. This ordinance would reduce the amount of time allowed for an alder to speak to six minutes at any one time. This ordinance retains the rule that alders may not speak more than twice on any motion without a supermajority vote of the Council. The alternate reduces the amount of time allowed for an alder to speak to three minutes at any one time.

My experience is that alders rarely speak for 10 minutes on most items pulled from the consent agenda but as policy makers should their speaking time be reduced? The times alders do speak at length are the exceptions such as making and motivating a motion, controversial items in their district, or a policy item that has generated a lot of public comment, etc. Alders are limited by open meetings law and must limit discussing public business in private to avoid violations of walking quorums. As public servants, we have to be mindful of our democratic obligation to conduct city business in public.  Alders can attend committee meetings as an appointed member or as ex officio member we are entitled to be recognized and speak on policy matters as items come before committee, where there isn’t usually a time limit. But each week, several recurring committees meet on the same day (for example this week Wednesday has multiple meetings). At the end of the process, the business of the city lands on the biweekly Council agendas where alders can discuss any item that is pulled from the consent agenda and speak for up to 10 minutes at a time. Should that be reduced from 10 minutes to 6 minutes or 3 minutes per the alternate? I don’t want to govern in soundbites.

Wednesday November 8 – Urban Design Commission – 4:30p UDC Agenda 11.08.23

5. 78514 1904 Bartillon Drive - Public Building, City of Madison and Dane County Men's Homeless Shelter. (District 12)

7. 77926 3100 E Washington Avenue - New Multi-Family Building in Urban Design District (UDD) 5. (District 12)

Per the city’s previous staff report:  According to the F-35 EIS Staff Analysis, the site falls within the “65 decibel” Day and Night Average Sound Level (DNL) area. The FAA has determined the 65 decibel DNL area is the noise exposure level where land use compatibility issues may begin to arise surrounding airports. Additionally, the site is subject to considerable road noise as it is adjacent not only to East Washington Avenue, but also to Aberg Avenue at its transition from a limited access freeway to a surface arterial, as well as the Aberg on- and off-ramps.

I am struggling with the environmental justice implications of this proposal. The 65 decibel DNL/day and night average is NOT how people experience noise from F-35s which is a pulse of sound up to 110 decibels. This is a “land use compatibility issue” because it is a public health issue. I know we need more housing, especially affordable housing, and while the developer can insulate the building, they can’t mitigate the noise exposure when you open the windows or go outside, noise at these levels have been shown to be detrimental to human health.

9. 80425 929 E Washington Avenue - Major Alteration to a Previously Approved Project in Urban Design District (UDD) 8. (District 6)

Staff report for 929 E Washington The applicant is proposing the construction of a 15-story dual brand hotel comprised of 265 rooms and 160 parking stalls that was previously approved as a mixed-use office/commercial building with 105 residential units.

The development proposal includes a request for three bonus stories for an overall height of 15 stories/155’-6”. As noted in UDD 8, the maximum building height is 12 stories without any bonus stories. A total of three bonus stories may be allowed provided that the proposal provides sufficient public benefit to warrant the additional height, including but not limited to affordable housing, energy efficiency, sustainability, structured parking, pedestrian connectivity, and open space.

929 E Washington plans

929 E Washington legistar 54198 previously approved c2019 (This project was the catalyst for the bird glass ordinance...)     

Wednesday November 8 – Board of Public Works – 4:30p BPW Agenda 11.08.23

5. 80362 Amending Section 8.15(1) and Creating Subsection 37.05(11) of the Madison General Ordinances to allow for certain greenway encroachments and the creation of a greenway privilege.

DRAFTER’S ANALYSIS: Under existing ordinances, most encroachments into City greenways and park lands are not authorized, even if similar encroachments may be approved on other City owned lands. This ordinance would amend Sec. 8.15(1) to create a limited exception to this prohibition and allow for some encroachments into greenways that are solely managed by the Engineering Division, including lands managed by the Stormwater Utility (such as ponds and other detention basins). While gardens and temporary fencing may be allowed with notification and approval of the City Engineer, more extensive encroachments, including permanent fencing, retaining walls, stairs, outbuildings, hardscape and parking areas would require the granting of a greenway privilege under the newly created 37.05(11). A greenway privilege would be similar to a privilege in street under Sec. 10.31, and would be within the discretion of the City Engineer to grant. The City will retain the ability to remove any greenway encroachment that interferes with City operations or that presents a risk to the public health, safety and welfare.

Staff power point

13.* 80652 Subcontractor List for Contract 8587, Tenney Park Beach Shelter, to TRI-North Builders Inc for 56.97%. (District 2)

Dear city staff- this is in District 6 now...

15.* 80680 Subcontractor List for Contract 8595, Madison Public Market, to Joe Daniels Construction Co. Inc., for 72.62%. (District 12)

Onward to the Public Market!

16.* 80657 Awarding Public Works Contract No. 9086, Metro Transit Hanson Rd. Bus Facility Remodel. (District 17)

Wednesday November 8 – Transportation Commission – 5p TC Agenda 11.08.23

80706  Traffic Signal Priority List Review and Selection

In the signal priority list, there are D6 intersections (some are now in D15 and misidentified as D6) including Dickinson/Willy, Few/Willy, Dickinson/E Wash, 2nd/E Wash, Marston/Sherman, and Gorham/Livingston that were requested for review. Signal warrants are the framework for analyzing and comparing the need for traffic signal control at intersections. Madison’s Priority List is an annual effort to evaluate relative needs for traffic signal control at major un-signalized intersections.

According to an email to alders from TE staff: Next week (November 8th) City Traffic Engineering Staff will present to the Transportation Commission a list of intersections that we received requests for installing a traffic signal and discuss recommendations for intersections to perform further studies on. This meeting provides an opportunity for anyone to request that we add any intersections to the list for consideration. We evaluate the intersections requested and approved by the transportation commission in order to compare them against the 2009 Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices signal warrants. Typically these studies are wrapped up by next February or March and a final discussion at the Transportation Commission around that time is held.

Wednesday November 8 – Board of Parks Commissioners-  6:30p BPC Agenda 11.08.23

7 80661 November 2023 Superintendent's Report

The Supt’s report is always full of interesting details about running our Parks system.

9 80682 Informational Presentation of 2023 Amendments to the City of Madison Comprehensive Plan

The Park and Open Space Plan (POSP) is a supplemental document to the City’s Comprehensive Plan, and Parks Division staff are leading efforts to update the POSP, anticipating adoption in late 2024 or early 2025. Common Council authorized the Planning staff to lead efforts to conduct public engagement processes and plan update in June 2023. The City of Madison Planning Division has introduced amendments to the City of Madison Comprehensive Plan (Legislative File 80281), which are awaiting review and approval from Plan Commission and Common Council. The Plan Commission reviewed potential changes in September 2023, and a public hearing will be held at the November 13, 2023 Plan Commission Meeting regarding the proposed amendment. Planning Division staff will provide an informational presentation to the Board of Park Commissioners regarding the proposed amendments and potential implications to the POSP.

12 80688 Informational Update on the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park