D6 Items of Interest Week of January 22, 2024
postedLast week, the Transportation Commission held an informational meeting on the passenger rail station study which proposes 8 potential stations, three of which are in District 6. Legistar 81573 Passenger Rail Station Study and TC Rail Study Presentation contains the study and the power point presented at TC which has a brief analysis of each station. The city is hosting two upcoming public meetings to gather feedback https://www.cityofmadison.com/news/2024-01-18/next-passenger-rail-meetings-for-madison-station-location. When the link to watch the meeting is available, I will post it. The TC also discussed street geometry for Rutledge St reconstruction. Engineering staff proposed a new Option 1C after learning that the City of Monona wishes to contract for Metro service and Metro staff would propose to use Rutledge St. There were several unanswered questions about Metro plans, and the TC did not make a recommendation. Engineering staff will send additional information to affected property owners before it goes to the Board of Public Works on February 21. Sign up for email updates.
Monday at Plan Commission there are three D6 items: 702 E Washington, 929 E Washington, and 506-518 E Wilson et al request for outdoor uses. On Tuesday, in addition to appointing a new D19 alder and reading the resolution celebrating Black History Month, the hot topic of the Common Council meeting will be amending salaries for alders. More details below.
Alders are hearing lots of comments from the public about winter road conditions. Alder Derek Field did an informative blog a couple of days ago Road Condition Updates, What to Expect that provides a lot of good information. Here’s a link to the latest update from Sunday night: https://www.cityofmadison.com/residents/winter/SnowIce/snowPlowUpdates.cfm
Monday January 22- Plan Commission – 5:30p PC Agenda 1.22.24
The January 8th Plan Commission meeting was cancelled due to technical glitches with Zoom and all items referred to this meeting.
In addition, the PC will review several D6 items: the proposed demo and new construction of a 15 story building at 702 E Washington that requires a second amendment to UDD 8 to clarify how stories are measured in UDD 8, a proposal for a 15 story hotel at 929 E Washington, and a request for an alteration to allow outdoor recreation, weekly outdoor events, and special seasonal events in the parking lot for the adjacent restaurant-taverns 506-518 E Wilson Street and 134-148 S Blair Street (Essen Haus, Come Back In and Up North).
If you want to submit comments, email them to pccomments@cityofmadison.com. Details about how to register to speak are in the agenda link.
8. 81199 33 W Johnson Street (District 4): Consideration of a conditional use pursuant to MGO Section 28.134(3) for projections into the Capitol View Preservation Limit
Note: Items 9 and 10 are related and will be considered as one public hearing. Following the public hearing, the Plan Commission shall make separate findings and motions on each agenda item.
9. 81251 1003 Huxley Street (District 12) (Noticed as "2007 Roth Street (Lot 1 of proposed Certified Survey Map")): Consideration of an alteration to an approved conditional use in the Traditional Residential-Urban 2 (TR-U2) District for a multi-family dwelling with greater than 60 units to allow architectural changes to an approved six-story, 250-unit apartment building
10. 81252 905 Huxley Street (District 12) (Noticed as "2007 Roth Street (Lot 2 of proposed Certified Survey Map")): Consideration of an alteration to an approved conditional use in the Traditional Residential-Urban 2 (TR-U2) District for a multi-family dwelling with greater than 60 units to allow architectural changes to an approved seven-story, 303-unit apartment building.
The applicant is proposing to remove individual balconies and to narrow patio doors in an attempt to manage the rising costs of construction. Many of the public comments request referral back to Urban Design Commission.
"On balance, staff believes it may be possible for the Plan Commission to find the conditional use standards met for the proposed changes to the doors, balconies, and roofline. While the Plan Commission has jurisdiction over conditional uses and major alterations to approved conditional uses, the zoning code also provides the Plan Commission the procedural option to further refer the modifications to the Urban Design Commission for an advisory opinion, should that be found necessary in order to find Conditional Use standard 9 is met.”
Note: Items 11-13 are related and will be considered as one public hearing. Following the public hearing, the Plan Commission shall make separate findings and motions on each agenda item.
11. 81083 702 E Washington Avenue (District 6): Consideration of a demolition permit to demolish a two-story commercial building.
12. 81316 Amending Section 33.24(15)(e)12.b. related to Upper-Level Development Standards of the Madison General Ordinances to clarify how stories are measured in Urban Design District 8. (Alder District 6)
13. 81081 702-734 E Washington Avenue; Urban Design Dist. 8 (District 6): Consideration of a conditional use in the Traditional Employment (TE) District for dwelling units in a mixed-use building; consideration of a conditional use in the TE District for a building exceeding five stories and 68 feet in height, and; consideration of a conditional use in the TE District for accessory outdoor recreation; all to allow the construction of a 15-story mixed-use building containing approximately 15,000 square feet of commercial space and 244 apartments.
"The applicant proposes to demolish a two-story commercial building at 702 East Washington Avenue and construct a 15-story mixed-use building containing approximately 15,000 square feet of commercial space, 244 apartments, and an outdoor pool at 702-734 East Washington Avenue.
Concurrent with this application, a new amendment to the Urban Design District ordinance has been proposed that would clarify the story-height measurement of a building within UDD 8. The Plan Commission is advisory on amendments to the Urban Design District ordinance. The proposed change is limited to Block 2b and clarifies that if internal structured parking is screened and does not appear as a visually distinct story when viewed from East Washington Avenue, it would not count as a story for the purpose of the UDD ordinance compliance. The Urban Design Commission (UDC) Secretary prepared a Staff Memo regarding the proposed amendment (ID 81316).
Staff also note that while it is a 15-story building per the zoning code, the building reads as a 14-story building due to the liner building and overall architectural design.”
TLNA Steering Committee Report
“The Tenney Lapham Neighborhood Association has worked collaboratively with all the developers along E Washington Ave. to protect the bike boulevard, which is a City-wide transportation resource. Of the four bike routes that traverse Tenney-Lapham, the East Mifflin Bike Boulevard is the most used because there is a significantly lower volume of motorized traffic. Ideally the Blount/E Washington intersection can be modified to facilitate eastbound traffic and to preserve the safety of the bike boulevard. Without an analysis of the traffic impact of the proposed development and without a plan to protect the bike boulevard, the steering committee recommends that the review be deferred until “Measures . . . to ensure public safety and adequate traffic flow” are presented.”
19. 81082 929 E Washington Avenue; Urban Design Dist. 8 (District 6): Consideration of a conditional use in the Traditional Employment (TE) District for a building exceeding five stories and 68 feet in height; consideration of a conditional use in the TE District for a hotel; consideration of a major alteration to a conditional use per Section 28.137(2)(e) of the Zoning Code for a planned multi-use site containing a hotel; consideration of a conditional use in the TE District for a food and beverage use (including but not limited to a restaurant, restaurant-tavern, or brewpub); consideration of a conditional use in the TE District for an outdoor eating area for a food and beverage use; and consideration of a conditional use in the TE District for accessory outdoor recreation, all to allow construction of a 15-story, 265-room hotel with a food and beverage use and outdoor eating area
The Urban Design Commission found that the project is consistent with the requirements and guidelines in Urban Design Dist. 8 and granted initial approval of the building at its January 10, 2024 meeting, including the request for three bonus stories. Final approval of the project by the Urban Design Commission is required prior to final review of the plans and issuance of building permits.
23. 81267 506-518 E Wilson Street and 134-148 S Blair Street (District 6): Consideration of an alteration to an approved Planned Development District-Specific Implementation Plan (PD-SIP) to allow outdoor recreation, weekly outdoor events, and special seasonal events in the parking lot for the adjacent restaurant-taverns.
I support the redevelopment of this site in the long term. In the short term, for 2024, I would support allowing the related establishments to hold outdoor events using the conditions of approval the Plan Commission adopted for 2023 and include the current staff recommendation to limit the 6 special seasonal events to 2. I would like to add a condition to use the stage with the least noise impacts to adjacent neighbors. The applicant Is again requesting what they asked for in 2023 including live music on three evenings a week.
"Note: The proposed PD(SIP) alteration is unrelated to ongoing discussions to redevelop most of the subject site with a mixed-use development, which has been the subject of informational presentations at the Landmarks Commission and Urban Design Commission, as well as two community meetings. As of the writing of this report, no formal land use-, urban design-, or landmarks-related applications have been submitted for review.
On May 22, 2023, the Plan Commission approved an alteration to an approved PD-SIP to allow outdoor recreation, weekly outdoor events, and special seasonal events in the parking lot for the adjacent restaurant-taverns at 506- 518 E Wilson Street and 134-148 S Blair Street subject to conditions, which included: [highlights below, the staff report link provides an itemized list]
• That the sand volleyball/ outdoor recreation, weekly outdoor live music/performance events (Sunday and Monday only), and seasonal events (see below) in the parking lot for the restaurant-taverns at 506-518 E Wilson Street and 134-148 S Blair Street are hereby approved for calendar year 2023 only.
• Seasonal outdoor events (as approved in the preceding condition), which shall not start before 11:00 AM and shall end by 9:00 PM. Outdoor live music/performance events on Sunday and Monday only; these events shall not start before 4:00 PM, and shall end by 9:00 PM. Sand volleyball/outdoor recreation shall only be allowed between 5:30-10:30 PM on Monday–Friday and from 12:00-9:00 PM on Sunday. The Plan Commission approved sand volleyball/ outdoor recreation until 10:30 PM for 2023 only.
• When not associated with an approved outdoor live music/performance event or approved seasonal outdoor event, no outdoor amplified sound or similar sound-producing devices shall be allowed in the parking lot. (For example, no outdoor amplified sound or similar sound-producing devices shall be allowed for sand volleyball on Sunday at 2:00 PM or Tuesday at 7:15 PM.)
As a starting point for a potential approval of the PD(SIP) alteration for outdoor events in the subject parking lot in 2024, the conditions of approval recommended by the Planning Division in the following section generally follow those approved by the Plan Commission on May 22, 2023.
The proposed conditions, however, include the approval of only the two specific outdoor events outlined in the letter of intent and require re-approval for 2025 and potentially beyond. The conditions proposed also include limits on the live music/performance events from May 15 to September 15 consistent with the limitations approved in 2023, which were proposed by the applicant during a neighborhood meeting in May 2023.”
A neighbor resubmitted all the public comments from 2023.
Upcoming Matters – February 5, 2024
- 139 W Wilson Street - Demolition Permit and Conditional Use - Demolish apartment building and construct 16-story apartment building with 320 units in UMX zoning. The developer will be at UDC on Wednesday.
Upcoming Matters – February 26, 2024
- 117-125 W Mifflin Street - Demolition Permit - Demolish five commercial buildings
Tuesday January 23 – Common Council Executive Committee – 4:30p CCEC Agenda 1.23.24
2. 81528 Interviews of Alder District 19 Candidates
ANNOUNCE BALLOT RESULTS, CCEC REVIEW & RECOMMENDATION OF FINAL APPLICANT TO THE COMMON COUNCIL
3. 81389 BY TITLE ONLY: Appointing XXXXX as Alder for District 19 to serve until the Spring 2025 election
Tuesday January 23 – Common Council– 6:30p CC Agenda 1.23.24
1.81389 BY TITLE ONLY: Appointing XXXXX as Alder for District 19 to serve until the Spring 2025 election
2.81617 Celebrating February 2024 as Black History Month in the City of Madison
3.81631 Commending and Recognizing the members of the Lake Monona Waterfront Ad Hoc Committee for their dedicated service to the City of Madison Parks Division. (District 4)
4. 81616 Presentation about current state legislative session - Nick Zavos, State Government Affairs Liaison
7. 81411 Approving Plans, Specifications, And Schedule Of Assessments For E Wilson St and E Doty St Reconstruction Assessment District - 2023. (District 4 and District 6)
64. 81016 Amending Section 3.50 of the Madison General Ordinances related to Salaries of Officials to update salaries for Alders
This item was referred from our January 9 meeting. If the salary is updated, the change won’t take effect until the next term begins in April 2025.
Currently the base pay for alders is 13.98/hr or $15,128/yr. The Council president and vice president receive higher pay based on additional duties. The assumption is that alders work an average of 1080 hours/yr to be eligible for WRS benefits. (Full time is 2080 hr/yr.) The proposed amendment would increase the base salary to $24,218 which translates to $22.38/hr, a 60% increase.
I support paying alders a living wage. According to the City’s Finance Department, effective Jan 1, 2024, the City’s living wage rate will be $15.87/hr. While being an alder is not a typical job (our boss is our constituents), and most of us who run do it as a community service, serving as alder requires a variety of skills and we want to attract candidates that reflect the diversity of our community.
The amendment to increase alder salaries requires a three-fourths vote of the Council. I don’t know if the proposed increase to $22.38/hr ($24,218/yr ) will get 15 votes. I don’t support a 60% increase. I would support a range starting at $15.87 (or 17,171/yr) up to $18.50/hr (or 19,980/yr). If you want to share your thoughts, email allalders@cityofmadison.com
INTRODUCTION OF NEW BUSINESS FOR REFERRAL WITHOUT DEBATE ORDINANCES
67. 81522 Amending Section 25.25(2) of the Madison General Ordinances related to Bows and Arrows to allow for bows to be shot or discharged pursuant to a supervised event demonstration
68. 81515 Creating the City of Madison Honorary Street Name Program
69. 81566 Authorizing a non-competitive service contract with Sustain Dane through 2026 to administer the Efficiency Navigator Program to provide energy efficiency upgrades to naturally occurring affordable housing.
73. 81621 Authorizing the process to select a public art feature for the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park and authority to transfer of $25,000 in Percent for Art Funds from the Metro Transit Satellite Facility to the Imagination Center (District 12 and District 17)
74. 81622 Accepting $400,000 from Dane County, authorized in the County’s 2024 Adopted Budget to support the Dairy Drive urban campground, amending the Community Development Division’s 2024 Operating Budget to reflect receipt of those funds, authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into a contract with Dane County, and authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into a contract with MACH OneHealth to use these funds to support the Dairy Drive campground, to supplement City-administered American Rescue Plan Act funds previously allocated to the campground and other funding secured by MACH OneHealth from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). (District 16)
75. 81625 Authorizing amendments to Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP) funded contracts with Urban Triage, Inc. and LGBT Outreach, Inc. on behalf of the Madison/Dane County Continuum of Care (CoC), authorizing an amendment with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to extend the YHDP grant’s performance period, and authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute new Purchase of Service agreements for services performed between January 1, 2024 and February 28, 2025.
77. 81628 Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute contract amendments, utilizing federal Emergency Rental Assistance funds awarded by the U.S. Treasury Department and authorized under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, to the African Center for Community Development; Meadowood Neighborhood Association/Meadowood Health Partnership; Nehemiah Community Development Corporation, with FOSTER of Dane County; and Tenant Resource Center to sustain efforts to prevent evictions and promote housing stability for eligible households in Dane County. (Citywide)
78. 81632 Endorsing and Prioritizing Improvement of Pedestrian and Bicycle Connectivity as Part of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s I-39/90/94 Study and Reconstruction
Wednesday January 24 – Street Use Staff Commission – 10a SUSC Agenda 1.24.24
In the link is a hint of fun outdoor events coming in March.
8. 81649 UNCORK ME WISCONSIN Saturday, May 11, 2024 / 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm No Street Closure - request for parking around Breese Stevens Field Wine tasting event inside Breese Stevens Field See attached for parking details Brothers Molloy / Lucas Molloy RECOMMEND APPROVAL
Wednesday January 24 – Urban Design Commission – 4:30p UDC Agenda 1.24.24
2. 81637 Appeal to the UDC from Decision of the Zoning Administrator, MGO Ch. 31, Sign Control Ordinance
The Zoning Administrator (ZA) sent Adams a letter in April of 2023 informing them the City does not allow digital signs and requesting their compliance. The ZA sent a similar letter to all other former Town of Madison property owners with digital signs. In September of 2023, staff inspected Adams’ sign and issued an Official Notice since it was still operating as a digital sign, in violation of MGO 31.045(3)(i).”
Adams Outdoor Advertising Appeal
Staff Report describing appeal process.
4. 77769 Informational Presentation of West Area Plan Update Discussion item only, no formal action will be taken by the Commission
5. 70108 139 W. Wilson Street - New Residential Building in UMX Zoning. 4th Ald. Dist. Owner: Phil Hees Applicant: John Seamon, SEA Design Initial/Final Approval is Requested UDC is an Advisory Body
Capitol Neighborhood Inc Comments
Wednesday January 24 – Board of Public Works – 4:30p BPW Agenda 1.24.24
11. 81592 Updating the City’s policy for the assessment of sanitary sewer improvements to serve unsewered and sewered lands located within the current and future boundaries of the City of Madison. (Citywide) Sponsors: Marsha A. Rummel, Derek Field And Amani Latimer Burris
Sanitary Sewer Assessment Policy (2024 Update) Changes Shown Sanitary Sewer Assessment Policy 2024 update with changes Lead and only agency is Board of Public Works. REPORT BY CITY ENGINEERING RECOMMEND TO ADOPT
The sponsors have been working with the Mayor and Engineering staff to address the impacts of city requirements to upsize sewer pipe size in new developments, especially eligibility of affordable housing projects for tax incremental financing and projects in the Transit Orientated Development/TOD Overlay districts, where residential growth is being encouraged. Stay tuned for additional initiatives.
Under existing policy, even though most sanitary upsizing costs are incurred directly by developers under a Developer’s Agreement, the costs of sanitary sewer upsizing may be assessed to a developer through a public works process. This assessment option, while rarely used, prevents those developer incurred costs from being eligible for tax incremental financing.
The proposed policy change will update the existing Sanitary Sewer Assessment policy to remove the rarely used assessment option for sanitary sewer upsizing, to allow for possibly alternate financing options for these types of improvements.
24. 81644 Differentiating Upcoming Stormwater Projects Attachments: PBE Informational_1-24-24.pdf Stormwater design constraints power point
There are key differences in design constraints and project approach for 2 upcoming stormwater projects in the Pheasant Branch watershed. One project, the Sauk Creek Greenway, is a greenway stabilization project that is in the planning stage, and the other, the Pheasant Branch Enhancement project, is a FEMA BRIC grant funded flood mitigation project in the design phase. These projects have significantly different design factors, including adjacent flood impacts, stormwater flows, topographical constraints, and historical use.”
Alders have received dozens of letters from residents near the Sauk Creek Greenway concerned with the proposed plans.
Thursday January 25 – Housing Strategy Committee – 5p HSC Agenda 1.25.24
2. 81681 Housing Financing Panel Attendees:
Nicole Solheim- Cinnaire
Sean O'Brien- Northpointe Development
Rich Arnesen- Stonehouse Development
Alder Marsha A. Rummel
District 6
Contact Alder Rummel