City Highlights for the Week of April 8, 2024

On Monday, the Plan Commission will take up the proposal to allow Accessory Dwelling Units for properties with up to eight dwelling units and remove owner-occupancy requirement for ADUs. ADUs have been allowed on properties with owner-occupied single-family dwellings since 2012. In 2021, the City’s Zoning Code was revised to allow ADUs to be developed as permitted uses on single-family properties, without Conditional Use consideration. With last year’s adoption of the Transit Overlay District (TOD), ADUs rules were expanded to also allow their construction on two-family dwelling properties. 

Since 2012, approximately 32 ADUs have been built or are under construction. 

ADUs, regardless of whether they are attached or detached, are expensive to construct, with a detached unit commonly costing between $200,000 and $300,000 today. According to the staff report, adding dwelling units to existing buildings that create three or more units is cost prohibitive due to additional building code requirements that are triggered. Further, when adding a unit to an existing building, at least one unit in the building must be made an accessible unit, and the entire building needs to be sprinklered. However, a new detached accessory dwelling unit at a property containing a multifamily building would only need to comply with the one- and two-family building code, which does not require accessibility or sprinklers. 

Allowing ADUs at small multifamily, missing middle properties may result in more ADUs being built because existing multi-family property owners may have the equity to construct and maintain ADUs. Currently most of the multi-units of 3 BR or more are not owner-occupied.  

See the legistar link for public comments and the staff report linked below for more details. Comments can be sent to pccomments@cityofmadison.com. Comments received after 3:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting may not be added to the public record until after the meeting.  

Let me know what you think.

• Yoga Core, Tuesday, April 9: Yoga Core is a great class to help build strength and body awareness. 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. Participants will need to be able to get up and down off the floor. Chairs or walls may be used for balance assistance.
• Learn How to Ride Metro, Tuesday, April 9: Learn how to use Metro Transit’s fixed route city bus service. Topics include using Google Maps, the Transit app, and other digital options; paper schedules and phone service; and discounted fare options. Metro employees will answer your questions about bus travel and provide one-on-one assistance in English and Spanish.
• Learn to Fall Safely, Wednesday, April 10: SAFELY Learn to fall safely and to get back up without injury. Falls are a leading cause of death for older adults in Wisconsin. We will use thick “crash mats” for practicing. Classes are progressive. Attending all 4 classes recommended. Scholarships available.
• Strategies to Prevent Basement Flooding, Wednesday, April 10: Ever had water in your basement? Whether it’s a reoccurring issue or has only happened during extreme weather conditions, in most cases, it can be avoided. With some planning, a few rules and basic landscaping tools, most homeowners can address this problem on their own. Sponsored by MG&E. No registration is required, but sign up for an email or text reminder if you like.
• Meditation At Monona Terrace, Thursday, April 11 (VIRTUAL): Life can be stressful, meditation can give you a sense of calm, peace, and balance that benefits both your emotional well-being and your overall health. All experience levels and drop-ins welcome. 
• Futsal at Penn Park Ribbon Cutting, Thursday, April 11: The community is invited to join Forward Madison FC, Madison Parks Foundation and the City of Madison in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly constructed courts - futsal and basketball - in Penn Park! 
• Yoga Core, Friday, April 11: Yoga Core is a great class to help build strength and body awareness. 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. Participants will need to be able to get up and down off the floor. Chairs or walls may be used for balance assistance.
• Warner Family Fun Night, Friday, April 12: 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!
• Homebuyer Education Workshop, Saturday, April 13: Take the first step to owning a home and join us in this Home Buyer Education Workshop. This FREE Homebuyer Education workshop takes place in-person at the Sunshine Place (18 Rickel Rd., Sun Prairie, WI) on Saturday, April 13 from 8:30am-3:30pm! Lunch will be provided. Home Buyers Round Table of Dane County's first time home buying workshops cover the following:..
• Prescribed Burn Crew Training, Saturday, April 13: Learn what it means to be part of the Burn Crew! New and current Madison Parks volunteers are invited to participate in this small-group workshop on prescribed burning at Elver Park. This class will include a prescribed burn in the prairie vegetation at the park if the weather and conditions allow.
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Owen, Saturday, April 13: 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, Badgerland Bird Alliance, 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 | Turville Point, Sunday, April 14: 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, Badgerland Bird Alliance, 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.