Week of November 3, 2025

District Niners,

The Planning Division is seeking your help.

Perhaps you are not an architect, but you do have fantasies and envision some structures that you have seen to be esthetically pleasing; structures such as IM Pei's  Dallas, TX City Hall or his World Trade Center in Baltimore, MD. You also know that those structures would not be permitted in Madison because of current design and zoning codes.  If you believe that your fantasy design merits review, what would you suggest as needed change(s) for zoning as well as design by the Planning Division for Madison?  Follow the link:  ttps://www.cityofmadison.com/news/2025-10-31/feedback-wanted-for- with your suggestions.

2026 / 2027 Trash and Recycling Calendars Now Available:  Contact the Streets Division to request a mailed copy to you, or use our website and download your copy.

Boards, Commissions, & Committee Meetings

• Plan Commission: The Plan Commission meeting will take place on Monday, November 3, at 5:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include development-related requests in District 4 and District 14.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• Transportation Commission: The Transportation Commission meeting will take place on Wednesday, November 5, at 5:00 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include reviewing the results of the test removal of the peak-hour travel lanes on Williamson Street.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• Board of Health for Madison and Dane County: The Board of Health for Madison and Dane County meeting will take place on Wednesday, November 5, at 5:00 p.m. in hybrid format. Agenda items include restricting the sales of hemp-derived cannabinoid products to those under the age of 21 and prohibiting the sale of cats or dogs in retail pet stores.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online

If you would like more information about becoming a member of a City board, commission, or committee, please visit the page linked here.

Public Information Meetings (PIMs)

• Southeast Area Plan Public Meeting: Virtual Option, Tuesday, November 4: Residents, community organizations, businesses, and others are invited to join in the second phase of the planning for the Southeast Area Plan with a series of public meetings in the coming weeks.

Announcements and News Releases

• Feedback Wanted for Urban Design Code Update Project: The City of Madison’s Planning Division is looking for public feedback as it evaluates the City’s decades-old urban design goals and guidelines.
• Nakoma Road Sidewalk Project Update: Starting Friday, October 31, Nakoma Road will fully re-open to traffic, from Tumalo Trail to Manitou Way, by the end of the day. Utility work will resume with a full closure on a small portion of Manitou Way, near Nakoma Road.
• Closure of N 7th Street Starting Monday, November 3: From Monday, November 3 until Friday, November 7, RG Huston will close N 7th Street, between E Washington Avenue and E Mifflin Street, for utility installation for the development project at 2430 E Washington Ave.
• Madison Code Enforcement Officer Named State Fire Inspector of the Year: The Madison Fire Department celebrates the recognition of veteran Code Enforcement Officer Scott Strassburg as Fire Inspector of the Year.
• City of Madison Accepts Donation of Historic Mosaic Mural for Public Display: The "Wisconsin Landscape" mosaic will be displayed in the boardroom of the Parks Lakeside Offices at 330 E. Lakeside Street.
• Madison Region Awarded Catalytic Grant to Strengthen Equitable Access to Nature: The Madison region has been awarded a catalytic grant through the Nature Everywhere Communities initiative, a partnership of the Children & Nature Network, the National League of Cities, and KABOOM!.
• Public Notice to All Customers of Madison Water Utility: Madison Water Utility has filed an application with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) to increase water rates.
• Join Alder Badri Lankella for an Engaging Lunch and Learn with Madison Police Department Leadership: Alder Badri Lankella invites you to a virtual lunch-and-learn featuring the newly sworn-in Chief of Police John Patterson and West District Captain Timothy Patton from the City of Madison Police Department.
• Results announced for 2025 City of Madison Food Cart Review: The City of Madison’s annual Food Cart Review, which helps determine where food vendors will be located for the next vending season, has been completed and the final scores have been tallied.
• Latest Housing Forward proposals adjust TOD requirements, allow new housing type : The latest measures being introduced to the Common Council on October 28 focus on creating a new option for the city’s neighborhoods and making more efficient use of Madison’s most-traveled corridors.
• Crime in Madison Continues to Decline: Today, City of Madison officials provided an update on public safety. Police Chief John Patterson says in 2025 there have been “significant and impressive reductions” in all of the major crimes tracked by the Madison Police Department.
• Black Film Festival Coming to Three Madison Public Library Locations November 13-15: MADISON, WI – The Black Film Festival, created by the Nehemiah Center for Urban Leadership Development, will be hosted within Madison Public Library locations for the first time this fall.

Please visit the City news webpage to find additional news and announcements and to subscribe to receive notification of news releases as they are posted.

Events

• Elver Bike n' Boogie - Southwest Area Plan!, Tuesday, November 4: The Southwest Area Plan is coming to the Park Edge/Park Ridge area to ask residents about public projects they'd like to see built in their neighborhood. We'll have bike games, bike repairs, a dance party and a Latinx style meal in the spirit of Day of the Dead.
• Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) Training, Wednesday, November 5:  You can make the difference in your safety and the safety of others in that first three minutes. Learn the principles of what to do if an active shooter incident happens and increase your chance of survival through the lessons taught during this free training.
• Wellness Talks: Getting Older – Should We Care More About Our Nutrition?, Wednesday, November 5: This talk will cover the evolving research on nutrition as we age. As we get older, we may think some changes in our health are inevitable. However, good nutrition and remaining active can help us keep strong enough to keep doing all the things we enjoy.
• Learn to Nordic Walk, Thursday, November 6: Turn your walk into a full-body workout with Nordic walking! We've partnered with Madison Nordic Ski Club (MadNorSki) for a free class.
• Understand and Maintain your Furnace by Project Home, Thursday, November 6: Don’t let a cold house or unexpected repair bills ruin your winter! This comprehensive course empowers you to take control of your home’s heating system. Learn everything from the basic components of your furnace to troubleshooting common issues.
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Owen, Saturday, November 8: 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.
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Turville Point, Sunday, November 9: Fat Bears and Chonky Squirrels ~ Join amazing wildlife Naturalist Kathlean Wolf for a free guided walk on easy nature trails at Turville Point.  Wild critters are busy fattening up and hunkering down as days gets colder.  Learn about wildlife and how they change their bodies and their environment in preparation for winter.