West Area Plan

September 11, 2024 Update: West Area Plan adopted by the Common Council
The City of Madison Common Council adopted the West Area Plan on September 10th.  The adopted version includes edits recommended by the Transportation Commission, Landmarks Commission, Urban Design Commission, and Plan Commission (see the 9/3/24 update below). In the coming weeks, staff will revise the document to reflect these edits and post a final version.  Along with adopting the plan, the adopting resolution archived the previously adopted plans in the same area as the West Area Plan.  This means they will no longer guide City actions, including the review of development proposals.  Archived plans are:

• Odana Area Plan
• University Hill Farms Neighborhood Plan
• Hoyt Park Area Neighborhood Plan*
• Midvale Heights/Westmorland Joint Neighborhood Plan*
• Southwest Neighborhood Plan*
• Spring Harbor Neighborhood Plan

(*only the portion of the plan underlying the West Area is considered archived)

September 3, 2024 Update: 
The West Area Plan is visiting the boards, committees, and commissions listed below for their review and comment.  Each will make a recommendation to the Plan Commission, which will make a final recommendation to Common Council.

• July 17 – Economic Development Committee: Recommended adoption 
• July 31 – Transportation Commission: Recommend adoption with the shift of the cross-Beltline connection to the east, as discussed in the staff memo, and inclusion of the revised connection as a planned on-street bike route on the Shared-Use Path and Bicycle Network map. 
• August 5 – Landmarks Commission: Recommend adoption with deletion of 5117 University Avenue from the Properties of Historic Interest listing in the appendix (property was mistakenly included - there is a new building on the site).
• August 14 – Urban Design Commission: Recommend adoption with an update to the UDD 3 action on page 42 to consider other areas where a new UDD may be appropriate. 
• August 14 – Board of Park Commissioners: Recommended adoption
• August 26 – Plan Commission: Recommend adoption with incorporation of edits recommended by other Boards/ Committees/ Commissions and the edits listed in the staff memo.  
• September 10 - Common Council

July 22, 2024 Update: 
As discussed in the ordinance introduced at the July 16th Common Council meeting, the City's Comprehensive Plan is anticipated to be amended to reflect the Generalized Future Land Use (GFLU) Map and the Shared-Use Path & Bicycle Network Map that are included in the West and Northeast Area Plans. Other maps and text in the Comprehensive Plan, such as maps of area plans and text summarizing adopted area plans, would also be edited to reflect the West and Northeast Area Plans.  A summary of Comprehensive Plan edits is available here.  

July 10, 2024 Update: West Area Plan to begin City’s Review Process

The West Area Plan is about to begin the City’s formal review and approval process.  The final draft is now available.  The Plan will be introduced at the Common Council meeting on July 16th.  Introduction is when the Common Council determines the Boards, Commissions, and Committees that will review the draft Plan.  However, the Plan won’t be discussed or acted on at this meeting.

The anticipated review schedule is below, however it is subject to change.  If changes occur, a revised review schedule will be sent to the email list.  There is an opportunity to comment on the draft at each of these meetings.  Agendas and instructions on how to participate can be found on the meeting information pages linked below.  Agendas are typically posted one week in advance.

• July 17 – Economic Development Committee
• July 31 – Transportation Commission
• August 5 – Landmarks Commission
• August 14 – Urban Design Commission
• August 14 – Board of Park Commissioners 
• August 26 – Plan Commission 
• September 10 – Common Council

The West Area Plan draft is accompanied by both an adopting resolution and an ordinance amending the Comprehensive Plan. The resolution includes archiving previously adopted underlying plans. The Comprehensive Plan amendment (ordinance) is limited to key maps, such as the Generalized Future Land Use and Bicycle Facilities map, among others.

Thanks to everyone who have participated in this planning process!

July 2, 2024 Update: Questions from June 6th Meeting
Staff was not able to answer all questions during the public meeting of June 6th.  Answers to submitted questions that staff was unable to get to during the meeting are now available here.  
 

Planning Framework

The West Area and Northeast Area Plans will be the first created under the City’s new Planning Framework, which was adopted by the Common Council on August 2, 2022. With the new framework approach, the Planning Division will create 12 Area Plans over the next 8 to 10 years that will cover the entire City. With a timeline for covering the City and a consistent set of topics to be addressed, this approach will also ensure that people who have traditionally been underrepresented in planning processes will receive services, leading to greater equity in planning across the City.

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