D6 Items of Interest Week of May 20, 2024
postedOn June 3, join me and Traffic Engineering staff for a discussion on potential improvements to the E Mifflin St. Bike Boulevard at a Virtual Public Input Meeting. The City of Madison is looking at making additional safety and other improvements along the E. Mifflin St. Bike Boulevard to enhance biking and walking along this corridor. The public is invited to come learn more about potential improvements, offer input into what would help improve the corridor and ask questions. Virtual Meeting: Mon, June 3 at 6:30pm Register for the Zoom meeting
At Landmarks, Monday is the Wilson + Blair proposal for review of the residential component only. The changes made to the facade are linked below. The entire project will be at Plan Commission on June 10.
At Plan Commission, Monday the Parks Division has a request to renew the approved but expired demolition permit for some of the Sands properties the city purchased for McPike Park. Parks Division staff will review the master plan for McPike Park in early 2025 for the Baldwin/E Wilson triangle for potential reuse of 214-222 E Wilson and consider options for the vacated portion of the site, including a possible dog park.
Tuesday’s Common Council meeting will likely have public comment on the Appeal of the Plan Commission action on the demolition permit for 428-444 State Street in District 2 and authorization for Parks to apply for and accept a $4M grant if awarded from the state for Breese Stevens improvements in District 6. The grant if awarded must be matched with city funds. More details below.
As of May 17, Madison residents should not set out yard waste for curbside collection. The 2024 spring yard waste pick up dates for all neighborhoods have passed. More Yard Waste details
Several housing developers in Madison received word on Thursday that they will receive millions of dollars in state and federal tax credits from the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) to help support the addition of hundreds of new affordable rental units in the city. List of City backed projects awarded WHEDA tax credits
Also last week, the Madison Water Utility officially started construction on a PFAS treatment facility for Well 15 on Madison’s east side. Well 15 has been shut down since 2019 due to PFAS contamination. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently finalized regulations for PFAS in drinking water. Six new enforcement standards, or maximum contaminant levels (MCLs), were established for PFAS compounds, most notably PFOA and PFOS. The new rule requires utilities to monitor for PFAS by 2027. Madison has comprehensively tested all wells for PFAS over the last five years and will continue to meet these new strict standards for PFAS. Well 15 is the only City of Madison drinking water well that does not currently meet the new EPA PFAS standards. The project will be fully financed through the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program, which is made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. With a total project cost of $5.9M, roughly half of the financing will be received as a grant (no repaymentrequired) while the remainder will be a low-interest loan. More details on Well 15 and link to Annual Drinking Water Quality Report
Monday May 20 – Landmarks Commission – 5p LC Agenda 05.20.24
2. 79566 134-150 S Blair-Land Combination & New Construction in the First Settlement historic district (District 6)
The Applicant is requesting that the Landmarks Commission approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for an Alternative Design Variance, land combination, and new construction of a principal structure in the parking lot on S Blair St. Landmarks is not reviewing the proposed hotel on E Wilson since it is not in the First Settlement Historic District.
Staff Report : “At the April 15, 2024, Landmarks Commission meeting, the commission approved the Certificate of Appropriateness for the land combination but referred consideration of the variance and new construction to a future meeting with guidance to the applicant on how to meet the standards for new construction within the parameters of the variance request.
The new design makes strong references to the architectural vocabulary of the buildings within 200 feet that are in the Third Lake Ridge historic district, including wall-cladding materials, window configurations, and cornice style for the base level of the building. There is now a 10-foot step back from the two-story base to the four-story middle portion of the building, and then another 10-foot step back to the top story. Masonry is the wall cladding for all of the visible areas on the front façade with metal serving as a decorative element in the spandrel panels of the middle section of the building and the architectural canopy for the front entrance. Masonry is also the predominant material for the sides of the building visible from the developed public right-of-way with the standing-seam metal panels serving as the wall cladding on the inset areas, making them minimally visible.
Staff believes that the standards for granting a Certificate of Appropriateness could be met and recommends that the Landmarks Commission approve with the following conditions: 1. Redesign the front entry to include an architectural canopy that spans the central bay of the building 2. Final door, window, railing, and fencing specifications to be administratively approved by staff. Arched windows need to be in the arched openings on the front façade 3. Information on mechanicals and utility locations on the building to be administratively approved by staff”
I support this proposal and appreciate the design changes. The applicant JCAP Real Estate has stated in their initial application that they intend to provide affordable housing units using the new bonus story ordinance and have responded to neighborhood interest in preserving two historic facades on E Wilson St.
Monday May 20 – Plan Commission - 5:30p PC Agenda 05.20.24
7. 82947 2927 E Washington Avenue (District 15): Consideration of a conditional use in the Commercial Corridor-Transitional (CC-T) District to allow free-standing vending (food cart) in the parking lot of a multi-tenant commercial building.
SASY D15 neighbors please note the reference in the staff report: the Minocqua Brewing Company has applied for a minor alteration to a previously approved conditional use which allows for an outdoor eating area behind the building without further Plan Commission review.
Staff Comments “In the letter of intent, the applicant provides anticipated operating hours, though indicates they wish to keep some flexibility. The applicant anticipates that carts could operate up to 4 times per week during peak business hours. The tap room is open from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 2 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday, and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
As a reference, the applicant has also applied for approval of minor alteration to the previously approved tap room conditional use to allow for an outdoor eating area behind the building. That request is not before the Plan Commission. As proposed, that outdoor eating area is scheduled to close by 9 pm and would not have outdoor amplified sound. As the proposal would be operated in accordance with the permitted use standards, a separate conditional use to establish the outdoor eating area was not required.”
8. 83270 202-212 S Baldwin Street (District 6): Consideration of a demolition permit to demolish three commercial buildings.
Staff Report “On October 19, 2020, the Plan Commission approved a demolition permit request to raze three existing commercial buildings in order to expand McPike Park at 202-212 S. Baldwin Street. (Legistar File 62095) However, given that over three years has passed without the applicant pulling the actual demolition permit, this approval has expired.
Please note that the most southerly building on the lot, addressed as 214-222 S. Baldwin Street, and running the length of the E. Wilson Street frontage, is not proposed for demolition. Rather, the Parks Division plans to further evaluate its potential for reuse as a park amenity.
The applicant has also noted in their submitted materials that the other reason why the 202-208 S. Baldwin Street building needs to be razed is the fact that in exchange for approval to construct a pedestrian crossing over the Wisconsin Southern Railroad (WSOR) railroad tracks at S. Few Street, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is requiring the City to grant a new, wider, permanent easement along the tracks as they pass through the park. Relatedly, Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is also requiring the City to construct a permanent safety fence along the length of the easement and since the 202-208 building falls within this area, it must therefore be removed.”
Upcoming Matters – June 10, 2024
- ID 81923, 82903, 81925 & 81945 - 506-518 E Wilson Street and 134-150 S Blair Street - Demolition Permit, Rezoning from PD to UMX, Conditional Use, and Certified Survey Map - Create two lots in (proposed) UMX zoning, and demolish five buildings to construct eight-story, 178-unit apartment building on S Blair Street and six-story, 100-room hotel on E Wilson Street with shared parking and open space
- ID 83269 - 709-711 E Johnson Street - Conditional Use for an outdoor eating area for a restaurant-tavern in a mixed-use building
- Amendments to Tax Incremental Districts (TIDs) 45, 46, 48, 52, and 53
- ID 82950, TBD, 82972, 82979 - 6610-6706 Old Sauk Road - Demolition Permit, Rezoning from SR-C1 & SR-C3 to TR-U2, Conditional Use, and Certified Survey Map Referral - Demolish two single-family residences and a two-family residence to construct three-story, 138-unit apartment building on one lot. Expect lots of public comment when this comes to Plan Commission.
Upcoming Matters – June 24, 2024
- ID 82973 - Urban Design Commission Code Update Project, Phase 1 Amendment
Tuesday May 21 – Common Council – 6:30p CC Agenda 05.21.24
1. 82648 Presentation by the City Assessor: Property values, levy limits, and new construction.
3. 82802 Appeal of the Plan Commission action on the demolition permit for 428-444 State Street. Legistar ID 81565. (District 2)
I blogged about this on May 5. “The Comp Plan speaks to the importance of preserving our cultural assets, not just to focus on new housing. As the alder for a district with three of the city’s five historic districts, I have attempted to balance preservation and new infill development. As others have noted in public comments, old buildings, even if they are not official landmarks or part of a historic district, add to the desirability of a place. Many older buildings often have a level of design, detail, materials and craftsmanship not found in newer buildings. Rehabilitation of these buildings achieve many of our sustainability goals, such as keeping materials out of landfills and not wasting the embodied energy contained within the existing building. In addition, older buildings are often less expensive for residential and commercial tenants than new construction”.
The city has provided funds for businesses downtown and throughout the city, especially after the damage from demonstrations on State St by people outraged by the police murder of George Floyd and the devastating effects of COVID. At last week’s Economic Development Committee, the EDD April 2024 Financial Assistance Dashboard was presented. Page 7 focuses on investments in State Street using TID 50 funds: “The goal of this program is to support a diverse and thriving State Street neighborhood where all Madisonians and visitors feel welcome. Funding in 2024 is for Building Improvement Grants, Facade Grants, Madison Pop Up Shop Program, Business Ready Program, Commercial Ownership Assistance Program.”
In my blog I provided links to several structure reports I found in legistar and stated: “If the applicant provided a thorough review of the building condition as shown in these examples, they may be able to convince Plan Commission and me that these buildings are unsafe and not salvageable, otherwise my approach is to try and preserve these commercial buildings.” At time of publication, I did not see any additional information provided by the developer, but I understand they are working on a more substantial structure report. Stay tuned.
6. 81965 Amending Sections within Chapter 28 of the Madison General Ordinances related to drive-through windows.
7. 82903 Creating Section 28.022-00669 of the Madison General Ordinances to change the zoning of properties located at 506-518 East Wilson Street and 134-150 South Blair Street, from PD (Planned Development) District to UMX (Urban Mixed-Use) District. (District 6)
5/6/24 PLAN COMMISSION RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO RE-REFER - PUBLIC HEARING to the PLAN COMMISSION On a motion by Ald. Field, seconded by Mendez, the Plan Commission referred the zoning map amendment to June 10, 2024 pending approval of the project by the Landmarks Commission and a recommendation by the Urban Design Commission on ID 81925.
16. 83182 Authorizing the City’s execution of a Purchase and Sale Agreement between Starkweather, LLC, and the City of Madison for the disposal of City-owned vacant land located at 3614 Milwaukee Street. (District 15)
The Voit Farm project is slowly moving forward.
34. 82750 Approving a Certified Survey Map of property owned by Willow Partners, LLC located at 702-734 E Washington Avenue (District 6)
The proposed Certified Survey Map has been administratively approved as allowed by MGO Section 16.23(4)(f) subject to the conditions included in the attached letter [in the legistar link]. Staff recommends adoption of the resolution.
37. 82711 Authorizing the Parks Division to submit, and if awarded, to accept a grant of $4,000,000 from the State of Wisconsin Grants for Local Projects Program for the Breese Stevens Field Improvement Project and authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into a contract with the State of Wisconsin to accept the grant award; and amending the 2024 Adopted Capital Budget of the Economic Development Division and the Parks Division. (District 6)
Fiscal Note: “The proposed resolution authorizes the Parks Division to apply for and accept if awarded, grant funding from the State of Wisconsin Grants for Local Projects Program. The grant will fund a portion of the costs of improvements at Breese Stevens Field. The City must demonstrate that it has $4,000,000 in match funding for this project.
The Parks Division’s 2024 Adopted Capital Budget authorizes $200,000 for Breese Stevens Improvements within the Park Facility Improvements Major. If the grant is awarded, the Parks Division 2024 Adopted Capital Budget will be amended to reflect a total project cost of up to $8,000,000 and appropriate the grant funding of up to $4,000,000. The Economic Development Division’s 2024 Adopted Capital Budget will be amended to add $2,000,000 in new City-issued General Obligation borrowing authorization to the Breese Stevens Field Improvements to support overall project costs.
The resolution also directs City staff to pursue an amendment to the TID #36 Project Plan from the TIF Joint Review Board to utilize up to $2,000,000 in TID #36 funding in lieu of GO borrowing. If the Project Plan amendment is approved, TIF funding would replace GO Borrowing. The resolution also amends the 2024 Adopted Capital Budget of the Parks Division to appropriate $1,800,000 in Park Impact Fees ($1,300,000 from City-Wide and $500,000 from North District) to the Breese Stevens Field Improvements Project Munis #15039, within Park Facility Improvements Program MUNIS Major #17443.”
I am a sponsor of this resolution. I support amending the TID 36 project plan for $2M if we receive the grant as one of the sources for the match. Breese Stevens Field has become a destination in the Cap East district, and now new housing and hotels have been built around the field to capture the premier views. I believe the city must take care of its assets and invest in them. At Finance last week, Matt Mikolajewski, the city’s Economic Development Director, noted that we have not received any requests from developers who want to apply for tax incremental financing for housing.
Parks Division Staff indicate that Breese Stevens Field will need up to $30M in upgrades. Here is the 2017 Breese Stevens Field Facility Plan that provides an estimate of probable costs (pp 38-48) and priorities (pp 52-60). Granted the costs are seven years old but they itemize the work and give us a good overview. I requested a memo for the Council from Parks staff providing more details about the $8M in improvements in response to questions alders have received. Once it is provided, I will attach it.
The key elements of the improvement project for purposes of the grant include replacing the artificial turf, the expansion of the locker rooms and seating areas to facilitate the use of the stadium by higher level professional sports leagues, and the construction of spectator suites to enhance the experience for spectators at the stadium’s wide range of activities. Currently, the stadium has a capacity of 5,000 for athletic events with a total capacity of 10,000 for events that utilize the playing field for seating. Improvements will also include the restoration and reconstruction of the historic facades of the building, and repair work to address water damage and leaking, and other historic renovations, to ensure the facility is able to serve its purpose for years to come.
Breese Stevens Field is both a local historic landmark and on the National Register of Historic Places.
Bringing high school, college and now professional sports (The Radicals and Forward Madison FC) to Breese Stevens Field has been the main driver in preserving this historic resource built as a baseball stadium in 1925 by Claude and Starck. The opportunity to bring professional women’s USL soccer to Madison also presents challenges as the locker rooms and bleachers will need to be upgraded. After returning to Breese Stevens Field in 2015 after a 40-year hiatus, East High football no longer uses Breese Stevens due to the small locker rooms that do not meet Big 8 conference standards according to Parks Division staff.
My District 2 predecessors who represented Breese Stevens Field before redistricting worked hard to find the balance between new active uses and impacts on the adjacent Tenney Lapham neighborhood. The approach taken was “preservation through purpose.” As part of the contractual agreement, Big Top LLC is required to develop an annual community and neighborhood impact plan that includes the requirement to meet with and work with the Neighborhood Association. Big Top is also required to submit an annual Multi-Modal Fan Access Plan to the Board of Park Commissioners with Big Top’s plan to provide sufficient parking at or near the Stadium, and address customer access to the Stadium by bus, bicycle, and foot. These contract provisions have proven to be an effective mechanism in keeping the community informed and engaged with the programming, services, and events at the stadium. In my experience, Big Top has been an attentive partner and very responsive to neighborhood concerns. I have worked proactively with Big Top, city staff, and TLNA on addressing the parking impacts.
The city will need to develop a capital improvement plan for Breese Stevens in order to determine what is needed to bring women’s professional soccer. The contract with Big Top formally expires in 2028 and policymakers will need to consider if changes should be made to the contract. The current agreement carefully balances potential revenues and neighborhood impacts, with a limit to the number of concerts. That will continue to be my approach as this process and project moves forward.
INTRODUCTION OF NEW BUSINESS FOR REFERRAL WITHOUT DEBATE
65. 83478 Creating Section 28.022-00674 of the Madison General Ordinances to change the zoning of property located at 201-205 South Stoughton Road from IL (Industrial-Limited) District to THV (Tiny House Village) District. (District 3)
Another Tiny House Village is in the works!
67. 83285 Amending the Police Department’s operating budget, and authorizing the Mayor and Chief of Police (or designee) to accept a Project Safe Neighborhoods grant award of $12,888 and a Byrne Justice assistance grant of $40,000 from the State of Wisconsin Department of Justice for overtime for patrol-level problem-oriented policing initiatives and National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) firearm ballistic casings investigative cases
68. 83301 Amending the Parks Division 2024 Capital Budget to receive $10,000 in private funding support and transferring $50,000 in existing GO authority from Madison Senior Center Courtyard project to the Lake Monona Waterfront project; and Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into a contract for Purchase of Services with Sasaki Associates, Inc., to provide professional design consultant services for the first phase of implementation for the Lake Monona Waterfront (District 4, District 13, and District 14).
Fiscal Note The proposed resolution amends the Parks Division’s 2024 Capital Budget and transfers $50,000 in existing GO authority from the Madison Senior Center Courtyard project (MUNIS# 12728) to the Lake Monona Waterfront (MUNIS# 17362). The Senior Center Courtyard project was substantially complete on April 24, 2024, and the proposed transfer leaves sufficient funding for project close out. Additionally, the proposed resolution authorizes the acceptance of $10,000 in private funding support from the Friends of Nolen Waterfront to the Lake Monona Waterfront project. The proposed budget amendments align sufficient resources for design development and staff support for the first phase of master plan implementation in 2024.
The proposed resolution also authorizes the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into a contract for Purchase of Services with Sasaki Associates, Inc., for professional consultant services for the first phase of implementation of the Lake Monona Waterfront to include the Community Causeway improvements as identified in the adopted master plan. The Purchase of Services contract amount is $600,000. If approved, funding will be available in Munis #17362.
69. 83413 Authorizing the Mayor, Police Chief and City Clerk to sign an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Milwaukee to provide support to City of Milwaukee law enforcement from July 13, 2024 through July 20, 2024; and amending the Police Department’s operating budget to receive reimbursement for said expenses
Republican National Convention is going to require MPD provide assistance to Milwaukee PD.
70. 83420 Adopting the Sustainability Plan Update and directing staff to implement the recommendations in the plan.
Referrals: Sustainable Madison Committee (7/22/24), Transportation Commission (6/12/24), Plan Commission (7/8/24), Economic Development Committee (7/17/24), Common Council (8/6/24)
71. 83422 Recognizing the fourth annual Civic Season from Juneteenth to Independence Day
77. 83444 Approving Design and location for the Darbo-Worthington Neighborhood Public Art project by Austen Brantley (District 15)
78. 83449 Authorizing the Parks Division to submit, and if awarded, to accept a grant of $12,000,000 from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration for the Lake Monona Waterfront Project and authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into a contract with the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration to accept the grant award. (District 13 and District 14)
Fiscal Note: The proposed resolution authorizes the Parks Division to apply for and accept if awarded, grant funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration’s Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program (ATIIP). The grant will fund a portion of the costs of improvements of the Lake Monona Waterfront Project. The City must demonstrate that it has $3,600,000, or at least 20 percent of the proposed project costs in match funding for this project. The Parks Division’s 2024 Adopted Capital Improvement Plan authorizes $6,000,000 for Lake Monona Waterfront Improvements during the 2026 budget year. The Parks Division’s published Agency Request for 2025 is consistent with the 2024 Adopted Capital Improvement Plan. If the grant is awarded, the Parks Division’s Capital Improvement Plan will be amended to reflect a total project cost of up to $18,000,000 and appropriate the grant funding of up to $12,000,000 within Munis #17362.
80. 83481 Approving the 2024 Neighborhood Grant Program recommendations, authorizing the execution of agreements required to administer the program, authorizing the Planning Division Director and Finance Director to execute grant agreements on behalf of the City, and authorizing the acceptance of any grant-funded improvements to be located on City-owned lands.
88. 83256 To grant Class A Liquor, Class A Beer, Class A Cider, Class B Beer, Class B Combination Liquor & Beer, Class C Wine 2024-2025 License Renewals with restrictions as previously approved and to include any change of corporate structure and amended conditions as set forth in the report.
The annual renewal of liquor licenses.
Alder Marsha A. Rummel
District 6
Contact Alder Rummel