Forum on Housing and Demoliton Ordinance Changes plus Updates for the Week of February 3rd

Hi Everyone,

Week two of the new administration raises concerns about Madison's access to federal funds appropriated by Congress. Though the freeze of these funds was paused by two federal judges, we cannot be certain these kinds of actions on the part of the new administration won't resurface.

Here is Mayor Rhodes-Conway's response last week: 

"Today’s directive from the federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has the potential to impact tens of millions of dollars in services for the residents of Madison. We are currently evaluating, at all levels of city government, what the tangible effects of this directive will be both immediately and in the future. Right now, there are many unanswered questions and we are working rapidly to make sense of this sweeping action which seems to be evolving by the hour.  

City staff are working on an initial inventory and dollar amount of federal funds the City receives and the services that could be impacted by recent federal actions. We will provide a more detailed update as soon as that information is complete."

On thing is for certain, it will be an interesting next four years. 

Forum on Proposed Housing and Demolition Changes in the Madison Zoning Code

The Vilas Neighborhood Association is hosing an informational forum to hear more about proposed zoning code amendments. The changes are intended to facilitate infill and other housing development, create more housing options, and balance the public’s interest in preserving historic buildings with that of accommodating Madison’s growing population.

The City’s Planning Director - Megan Tuttle, Zoning Administrator - Katie Bannon, and Historic Preservation Planner - Heather Bailey will in attendance to provide information and answer questions.

Wednesday, February 5 at 7:00 pm Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82775682058

Meeting ID: 827 7568 2058

One tap mobile: +13092053325,,82775682058# US

 The proposed changes would:

•  Increase the allowable size of Accessory Dwelling Units from 900 to 1000 sq. ft.; provide more flexibility in the configuration of ADUs, 2-3 unit residential buildings and front facing garages; and decrease some side yard setbacks for garages, open porches, and 2-story homes, largely for the purpose of consistency.
• Eliminate usable open space requirements.
• Allow demolition of non-historic buildings to be approved administratively.
• Repeal and recreate the standards for Plan Commission approval to demolish historic buildings to streamline the process and balance preservation and housing development needs. 
• The text of the housing changes are found here and the demolition changes here.

The proposed changes are scheduled to go before the Plan Commission on Feb. 17 and the Common Council on Feb. 25. This forum is an opportunity to learn about the proposed changes, ask questions, and provide feedback.

Anyone with an interest in the issues is welcome to attend.

Here are the rest of the updates:

Boards, Commissions, and Committee Meetings

Note: This is not a complete list of meetings for this upcoming week. All meetings and their details can be found at the Meeting Schedule page.

• Finance Committee: The Finance Committee meeting will take place on Monday, February 3, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include a presentation of the Finance Department’s 2025 internal audit plan.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• Plan Commission: The Plan Commission meeting will take place on Monday, February 3, at 5:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include accepting a Comprehensive Plan progress update report, as well as development-related requests in District 9 and District 16.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• Urban Design Commission: The Urban Design Commission meeting will take place on Wednesday, February 5, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include amending the report of the Lamp House Block Ad Hoc Plan Committee.
  • 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 (PIM’s)

• Block 113 (Brayton Lot) redevelopment draft RFP public meeting, Monday, February 3: The City of Madison’s Department of Planning, Community and Economic Development will be holding a virtual public meeting from 6:30pm to 8:30pm on Monday, February 3, 2025 to outline a first draft for a Request for Proposals (RFP) to redevelop Block 113 – formerly known as the Brayton Lot – in downtown Madison.
• Public Input Meeting - Sandburg Park, Thursday, February 6: Madison Parks is replacing five existing playgrounds in 2025. On Dec. 5, a virtual playground workshop was held for all five playgrounds, including the playground in Sandburg Park, 2818 Independence Lane. Parks staff presented an overview of the playground replacement program and asked for input on design decisions during break-out sessions specific to each park location.

Announcements and News Releases

• Applications now open for 2025 Arts Grants: The Madison Arts Commission (MAC) is inviting individual artists and non-profit organizations to apply for its annual grant program. [posted January 30, 2025]
• Early Ridership Numbers : Overall, ridership is up systemwide by 10 percent since the launch of the Bus Rapid Transit. The Rapid A Route is up nearly 20 percent over ridership numbers in 2023. [posted January 29, 2025]
• CARES Program Expands Service to Sun Prairie Starting in February: The City of Sun Prairie is excited to announce the expansion of services from the Madison Fire Department’s Community Alternative Response Emergency Services (CARES) Program to the community, beginning Monday, February 3. This expansion is made possible through an agreement between the City of Sun Prairie, the City of Madison, and Dane County. [posted January 29, 2025]

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

• In-Person Absentee Voting Begins, Tuesday, February 4: Early voting (in-person absentee) begins today for the February 18 Spring Primary. Check our website for locations and hours.
• Mobile Vaccination Clinic – Elver Park Neighborhood Center, Thursday, February 6: We're hosting a mobile vaccination clinic at Elver Park Neighborhood Center! All vaccines are free to those eligible…
• Learn to Cross-Country Ski, Thursday, February 6: Join us for a free cross-country ski workshop at Elver Park, hosted by Madison Nordic Ski Club (MadNorSki)! Open to all ages, you'll learn the basics and practice your skills while exploring the park. Limited to 30 participants. Advanced registration is required and may be done online or by calling 608-266-4711.
• Groove & Glide, Friday, February 7: Make the most of winter at a Groove and Glide event! Experience the fun and beauty of ice skating under the lights with fun music and games.  All ages and experience levels are welcome. Grab your friends, a date, or family, and have fun on the ice. 
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Owen, Saturday, February 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. Co-sponsored by Madison Parks 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 1:30-3pm. No registration is required. No pets are allowed.
• Skate Cinema, Saturday, February 8: Join us for an evening of ice skating and a movie at Skate Cinema! Bring a lawn chair and a blanket and make it an evening. This event is free to attend and no advanced registration is required. Ice skating will be allowed while the movie is playing - just not in front of the screen! A limited number of loaner skates will be available or bring your own skates. We’ll have an outdoor fire pit for warming up and Travelin' Tom's Coffee for purchase.
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Turville Point, Sunday, February 9: 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 and Friends of Olin Turville. 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.

Additional upcoming events can also be found on the City events calendar.

That's all for now.

Take care and stay safe,

Tag