City Meetings and Updates Week of Dec 14
posted- City Meetings:
- Plan Commission 12/15
- Common Council – Special Discussion on Lake Health 12/16
- Board of Public Works 12/17
- Alcohol License Review Committee 12/17
- Housing Policy Committee 12/18
- Streets Division Drop-Off Sites on Winter Hours
- Reminder: East District Coffee With a Cop 12/16
- Events & Announcements
City Meetings
Plan Commission
The Plan Commission meeting will take place on Monday, December 15, at 5:30 p.m. in virtual format. The agenda includes two items related to District 3:
- Items 7, 8, and 8 are a revision to the previously approved Reiland Grove subdivision plat. Per the applicant’s letter of intent, the changes “adjust the distribution of housing within the neighborhood and incorporate a neighborhood community center. These changes are designed within the current roadway framework and result in a slight increase in density but a greater diversity of housing and amenities within the neighborhood.” Here’s the Planning staff report which recommends approval. Here’s the proposed final plat, which looks pretty similar to the one adopted this past summer.
- Item 21 update from Planning Division staff on the Southeast Area Plan. See this blog post I shared earlier today for a closer look at the proposed plan recommendations so far, based on what Planning staff has been hearing from residents. Here is the staff presentation on the Southeast Area Plan.
Meeting info:
Common Council
The Common Council is holding a special meeting will take place on Tuesday, December 16, at 6:00 p.m. in hybrid format. This special meeting is only for the purpose of appointing election inspectors. Following that item of business, the Council will conclude it’s official meeting and then move into a discussion of City strategies to maintain and improve the health of our lakes. Here’s the presentation, to be given by Engineering Stormwater, Streets, and Parks staff.
Board of Public Works
The Board of Public Works meeting will take place on Wednesday, December 17 at 4:30pm in virtual format. The agenda includes one item in District 3: Legistar 91201 is a resolution establishing a special assessment district for the traffic signals coming to Milwaukee Street and Sprecher Road. Per the resolution, the purpose of the assessment district “is to install, operate and maintain traffic signal improvements at the intersection of Milwaukee Street & Sprecher Road”. Installation will likely take place in 2026.
Alcohol License Review Committee
The Alcohol License Review Committee meeting will take place on Wednesday, December 17 at 5:30pm in virtual format. Agenda item 19 is an application for a new alcohol license in District 3: La Bonita, an existing restaurant located at 4915 Commercial Avenue, is asking for a Class B Beer license.
Housing Policy Committee
The Housing Policy Committee meeting will take place on Thursday, December 18 at 4:30pm in virtual format. I’m covering this meeting because the primary agenda item, #2, is a staff presentation and discussion of the City’s use of Tax Increment Financing and Land Banking. These are some of the City’s primary tools used to incentivize housing development and shape new Madison neighborhoods through urban infill redevelopment (as opposed to brand new development on the edge of the City). Here’s a link to the staff presentation.
Streets Division Drop-Off Sites on Winter Hours
The Streets Division drop-off sites at 4602 Sycamore Avenue (serving the East Side) and 402 South Point Road are now on winter hours. The winter hours will run through Friday, April 10, 2026. Expanded hours return on Saturday, April 11, 2026.
The winter hours for the South Point and Sycamore drop-off sites are:
- Monday: 7:30am to 2:30pm
- Tuesday: 7:30am to 2:30pm
- Wednesday – Closed
- Thursday: 7:30am to 2:30pm
- Friday: 7:30am to 2:30pm
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed
The drop-off site at 121 E. Olin Avenue is closed. In 2026, there will be a new address and new entrance for the centrally located drop-off site.
More information about the drop-off sites is available on their webpage.
Additional details about all Streets Division operations can be found on the Streets and Urban Forestry website.
Reminder: East District Coffee With a Cop Tuesday
As a reminder, East District Madison Police Department is hosting another Coffee With a Cop event on the morning of Tuesday, December 16th. Detectives from MPD’s financial crimes unit will be present to discuss frauds.
When: December 16th from 10am-12pm
Where: Pinney Branch Library (516 Cottage Grove Rd)
Events & Announcements
- Love Our Lakes: City Strategies to Maintain and Improve Lake Health: The City of Madison Common Council will host a focused discussion titled “Love Our Lakes: City Strategies to Maintain and Improve Lake Health.” This conversation will highlight both ongoing and future initiatives to protect, restore, and enhance the… [posted December 12, 2025]
- Affordable Housing Fund to Support 400+ New Homes: The City of Madison’s Common Council has approved nearly $14 million from the Affordable Housing Fund to support the creation of approximately 425 new rental homes across the City, with more than 260 of those offering permanent affordability. [posted December 10, 2025]
- Common Council passes third Housing Forward package of 2025 : The City of Madison Common Council approved two more housing-focused ordinances during its December 9 meeting, capping off a year of impactful policy changes to make it easier to build more homes across Madison. [posted December 9, 2025]
- New Snowplow Trading Cards Now Available!: The City of Madison is proud to present a new set of trading cards featuring our named snowplowing fleet. The cards are available for free at any Madison Public Library location and from the Streets Division offices while supplies last. [posted December 8, 2025]
- Conservation Volunteer Workday, Saturday, December 20: We invite volunteers to help make a difference in the health of our local environment by joining us for invasive species removal. These hands-on conservation efforts are essential in restoring native ecosystems and ensuring the vitality of our natural spaces.
- Bird & Nature Adventures | Starkweather Creek Area, Saturday, December 20: Holiday Nature Walk ~ Join Friends of Starkweather Creek for a healthy holiday walk outdoors to enjoy the beauty of winter along Starkweather Creek!
- Holiday Fantasy in Lights, Saturday, November 15, through Monday, January 5, 2026: Lighted holiday-themed displays set in beautiful Olin Park. Drive through from dusk until 10:00pm to enjoy this magical light show for free, brought to you by The Electric Group.
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. Additional upcoming events can also be found on the City events calendar.
