Meetings and Updates Week of August 26

• City Meetings:
  • Finance Committee 8/26
  • Plan Commission 8/26
• Northeast Area Plan at Plan Commission on 8/26, discussion of Nakoosa Trail street extension
• Bus Rapid Transit Launches 9/22, Navigating New Bus-Only Lanes
• Events and Announcements

City 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, August 26, in virtual format at 4:30 p.m. Agenda items include amending the 2024 Resource Recovery Special Charge, as well as accepting a donation of Narcan, fentanyl test strips, and educational posters for overdose prevention (I'm a cosponsor).

• Meeting Details
• Meeting Agenda
• Register for Public Comment
• Watch Online

Plan Commission

The Plan Commission meeting will take place on Monday, August 26, in virtual format at 5:30 p.m. Agenda items include development-related requests (none in District 3), two zoning text amendments, approving a new report with housing recommendations that serve to strengthen efforts to expand rental, homeowner and student developments that were prepared by the Housing Strategy Committee, as well as adopting the Northeast Area Plan (more on this below) and the West Area Plan.

• 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.

Northeast Area Plan at Plan Commission on Monday

The Plan Commission will take up the Northeast Area Plan in its August 26th meeting, where the Commission vote on an advisory recommendation to the Common Council. The Northeast Area includes two neighborhoods in District 3: Mayfair Park and Burke Heights. Those interested can check out the “final” draft of the Plan here, or read through my July 14th blog post for a summary of relevant District 3 details in the Plan.

The draft Plan includes a recommendation to extend Nakoosa Trail from Ziegler Road where it currently ends to Jana Lane to improve Burke Heights residents’ access to North Thompson Drive. The City already owns right-of-way between Ziegler Road and Pulley Drive, but the rest of the extension further east to Jana would require the use of some land that is currently part of the southeast corner of Sycamore Park. It’s important to note that there are no funds for actual construction of a street in the City’s six-year-long Capital Improvement Plan, so if the City would ever actually want to build the street, it won’t be any time soon.

Here is City Planning staff’s explanation of the street extension’s merits, provided in this memo: “Staff believes the Nakoosa Trail extension has value and the Parks Division can determine an appropriate alignment in the future.” […..] “Staff also sees value in providing additional access to the area, particularly because improving one of the major entrances to the Burke Heights Neighborhood presents some challenges. Residents indicated during the planning process that the intersection of Pulley Drive and Commercial Avenue was dangerous for all users. However, this intersection presents a complex mix of jurisdictions, with portions owned by the City, WisDOT, and Dane County. While the City can implement some physical improvements, these would not fully address the primary concerns, which are safety and connectivity.” 

This proposed street extension has proven to be unpopular with many neighbors of Sycamore Park, several of whom have raised concerns about a potential street extension reducing the footprint of the park, cutting off the southeastern-most leg of Sycamore Park from the main Park parcel, and bringing more east-west traffic through the neighborhood. Neighbors have noted that the existing paths through Sycamore Park already accommodate many pedestrians and bicyclists, and so a potential street extension would primarily benefit cars. A street extension is not included in the recently-adopted Sycamore Park Master Plan, which envisions a “proposed off-road bike trail corridor” in the southeast corner of Sycamore Park. Burke Heights residents have been asking that the street extension be removed from the Northeast Area Plan and I think they’re making a strong case.

In their August 14th meeting, the Board of Park Commissioners voted 5-1 to recommend adopting the Northeast Area Plan without the Nakoosa Trail street extension on park land. In the Transportation Commission meeting of July 31st meeting, that group voted to recommend approval of the Northeast Area Plan with the Nakoosa Trail street extension. This memo from City Planning staff summarizes changes recommended to the final draft of the Plan so far, including that from the Board of Park Commissioners. In the memo, City Planning staff propose that language in the Northeast Area Plan continue to support an extension of Nakoosa Trail, but with language that allows the Parks Division to determine a street route that minimizes park impacts.

The Plan Commission has a chance to weigh in on this part of the Northeast Area Plan on Monday, August 26th in its 5:30pm meeting. Residents can share input with Plan Commission members either by emailing pccomments@cityofmadison.com or by registering to speak using the information on page 1 of the agenda. 

After the Plan Commission’s recommendation vote on Monday, the Common Council will take up the Northeast Area Plan for a final vote on Tuesday, September 10th. I will write about this again with an update in my weekly updates post before that Common Council meeting.

Bus Rapid Transit Launches September 22nd, Navigating New Bus-Only Lanes

As the city prepares for the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system to launch on September 22, the Madison Department of Transportation wants to make sure drivers understand how to navigate new dedicated bus lanes. Indicated by segments of red pavement, “BUS ONLY” lane markings, lane striping, and signage these dedicated lanes will not only improve reliability for buses but will contribute to smoother traffic flow and improve safety for all users of our streets.

Metro released a short, informational video that provides clear and concise instructions on how to safely interact with the bus-only lanes. View the informational video below, or by opening this link. 

As the video highlights, only buses, emergency vehicles, and—in some locations—bicycles should continuously use bus lanes. Where there are white dashed lines, drivers can cross into or through a bus lane to make a turn. As construction of the BRT system is completed and service launches on September 22, drivers should follow lane markings and signage along the BRT route. Enforcement of bus-only lanes will focus on education and safety as everyone learns how to adapt to these changes.

For more information about the new service, visit Metro Transit’s BRT website or this very helpful Frequently Asked Questions page (which also explains City Budget impacts). Questions can be directed to: mymetrobus@cityofmadison.com.

Events & Announcements

• Capitol View Farmers' Market, Wednesday, August 28: The Capitol View Farmers' Market is held weekly on Wednesdays (3:00-7:00pm) from late May through mid-October. Join us each week for great local vendors, live music, food carts, and special activities from week to week. Visit our website and follow us on social media for the most up-to-date information and schedules!
• Commercial Avenue Sanitary Sewer Reconstruction, Wednesday, August 28: This project will replace and upsize approximately 1,678 feet of sanitary sewer along the Commercial Avenue service roads on both the north and south sides of State of Wisconsin Highway 30 (Highway 30) and along North Fair Oaks Avenue.
• Madison Public Libraries Will Be Closed for Labor Day, Sunday Hours Return, and More: All library locations will be closed to in-person service on Monday, September 2 in observance of Labor Day. Libraries will reopen on Tuesday, September 3 with regular hours. [posted August 19, 2024]
• Lunch Time LIVE! Yid Vicious, Tuesday, August 27: On Tuesdays - June through August - a FREE outdoor concert series will take place from noon-1pm on the King Street walkway of the Wisconsin State Capitol. Chairs will be available, and blankets and lawn chairs are welcome on the lawn nearby. And don't forget to grab 'to-go' lunch at dozens of downtown restaurants.
• Imagination Center Update: Town Hall to Inform, Educate, Advocate, Tuesday, August 27: Join us for a Town Hall led by Alder Sabrina Madison and the Sandburg Area Neighborhood Association to discuss the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park. Get informed about the current budget threats, educate yourself on the library’s benefits, ask questions, and learn how to advocate effectively to support this important community resource.
• Dane Dances: Aniba & the Sol Starz / Rebulu Group, Friday, August 30: Dane Dances is a free, family-friendly event held every Friday evening in August on the beautiful Monona Terrace rooftop. The much-anticipated summer music series promotes inclusivity for all ages and is a great way to get down and dance with your friends, family, or coworkers. FREE! NO TICKETS NEEDED OR REQUIRED

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.