Plan Commission
The Plan Commission's responsibilities include making recommendations to the Common Council on the City's plans.
This includes:
- The Comprehensive Plan
- Area plans
- Neighborhood development plans
- Neighborhood, corridor, and special area plans.
The Plan Commission's also makes recommendations to the Common Council on:
- Changes to the Zoning Map (rezonings) and other Zoning Code regulations
- The subdivision of land within City limits or within three miles of City limits.
- The annexation of land to the City
- The sale or lease of City-owned land
The Plan Commission has final approval authority over:
- Conditional use permits
- The demolition of principal buildings when the Landmarks Commission determines that the building has historic value.
The Plan Commission meeting dates are available on Legistar.
Upcoming Meetings
| Tuesday, Mar. 31, 2026 | 5:00pm | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday, Apr. 13, 2026 | 5:30pm | ||
| Monday, Apr. 27, 2026 | 5:30pm | ||
| Monday, May. 11, 2026 | 5:30pm | ||
| Monday, Jun. 1, 2026 | 5:30pm |
Click here for the Plan Commission and Urban Design Commission Schedule (To understand which application submittal deadlines correspond to which meetings)
Development Proposals
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Current Development Proposals
Visit this page to see a list of the current development projects. This means Plan Commission and/or Common Council will review the project soon.
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Past Development Proposals (Aug 2015 to Present)
Visit this page to see a list of development projects dating back to August 2015 which the Plan Commission and/or Common Council has already reviewed and permits may or may not have been issued for.
Resources
Plan Commission Meeting Information
- The Plan Commission meeting dates are available on Legistar.
- Video Recordings of Past Meetings
Information about Current or Past Development Proposals
- Current Development Projects -- Visit this page to see a list of the current development projects. This means Plan Commission and/or Common Council will review the project soon.
- Past Development Proposals (Aug 2015 to Present) -- Visit this page to see a list of development projects dating back to August 2015 which the Plan Commission and/or Common Council has already reviewed and permits may or may not have been issued for.
- The Legislative Information Center (Legistar) - The City's public record. You can find legislation, agendas or meeting minutes, and files related to development projects, etc.
Application Forms, Submittal and Meeting Schedules (for Applicants)
Applications
- Land Use Application - For Conditional Use and Rezoning requests
- Land Use Application Checklist & Supplemental Submittal Requirements
- Demolition Application
- Subdivision Application - For Preliminary & Final Subdivision Plats and Land Divisions/Certified Survey Maps (CSMs)
Submittal and Meeting Schedules
Information about the City's Development Review Process
- Development Services Center - Site with information related to the City's Development Review process including: Conditional Uses, Demolition Permits, Rezonings, Subdivisions, Annexation of Land, Zoning Variances, Landmarks & Construction in Historic Districts, and Urban Design Approvals.
Below is a general guide to which committee or commission - Landmarks, UDC, Plan Commission, or Council - makes which development decisions.
| Request | Landmarks Commission | Urban Design Commission | Plan Commission | Common Council |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Demolition | Final Action (if LC finds that the building has no known historic value). Advisory Rec. to PC (if building found to have historic value) | Advisory Recommendation (only if referred by PC) | Final Action (for buildings LC finds have historic value) | Appellate Body |
| Conditional Use | Advisory Recommendation (only if referred by PC) | Final Action | Appellate Body | |
| Minor Alteration to Conditional Use | Advisory Recommendation possible | |||
| Rezoning | Advisory Recommendation | Final Action | ||
| Planned Development Rezoning | Advisory Recommendation | Advisory Recommendation | Final Action | |
| Minor Alteration to PD | Advisory Rec. or may not review (depending on magnitude) | Final Action or may not review (depending on magnitude) | ||
| Development in Urban Design District | Final Action | Appellate Body | ||
| Development in Downtown Core (DC) or Urban Mixed-Use (UMX) Zoning Districts | Final Action or Advisory Rec. to PC, (depending on magnitude) | Final Action or may not review, (depending on magnitude) | Appellate Body | |
| Public Projects | Final Action or Advisory Rec., (depending on magnitude) | |||
| Development in Local Historic District | Final Action | Appellate Body | ||
| Alterations to Landmark Buildings | Final Action | Appellate Body | ||
| Development Adjacent to Landmark Buildings | Advisory Recommendation (if also reviewed by UDC or PC) | Appellate Body | ||
| Certified Survey Map (creation of <5 lots in 5 yr period) | Advisory Recommendation (if Landmark Site or in Local Historic District) | Final Action (if extraterritorial or referred by PC Secretary with no dedication of public land) | Final Action (if dedication of public land) | |
| Plats (Preliminary and Final) | Advisory Recommendation (if Landmark Site or in Local Historic District) | Advisory Recommendation | Final Action | |
| Annexation | Advisory Recommendation | Final Action | ||
| Zoning Text Amendment | Advisory Recommendation | Final Action | ||
| Adoption of Plan, or Amendment to Adopted Plan | Advisory Recommendation (if referred by Council) | Advisory Recommendation (if referred by Council) | Advisory Recommendation | Final Action |
| Purchase and Sale of Land | Advisory Recommendation | Final Action (with input from Board of Estimates and others) |
Note: This is a broad overview created by Planning Division staff in May, 2015 as a reference for members of the Common Council. Further detail is provided in MGO Chapter 16 (General Planning), Chapter 28 (Zoning Code), and 33 (Boards, Commissions, and Committees), as well as the Plan Commission Policies and Procedures Manual.
Approval Standards, Policies and Procedures
- Development Review Standards - The approval standards that the Plan Commission uses to review land use requests.
- Plan Commission Policies and Procedures Manual
Links to Relevant Chapters of Madison General Ordinance
- Chapter 16 - General Planning - Defines the Plan Commission's duties. Also includes development standards related to Subdivisions, Certified Survey Maps (CSMs), and Condominiums.
- Chapter 28 - The Zoning Code - Specifies standards on how a property can be used and developed. Outlines procedures for land use requests (Conditional Uses, Demolitions, and Rezonings).
- Section 33.19 - The Landmarks Commission - Outlines the Commission's role and additional development standards.
Section 33.24 - The Urban Design Commission - Outlines the Commission's role and additional development standards.
- Zoning District Summary - A table to help understand the similarities and differences between the City's zoning districts.