Finally Plan Commission approved a new stadium at Edgewood High School at 2219 Monroe. It will include 1200 seat stadium, with concessions, bathrooms, press box, locker rooms, office, storage sheds, and sound system. Edgewood previously wanted lighting for night games, but that was rejected.

Plan Commission also approved a conversion of small commercial building at 3602 Atwood to 2 units. Developer said the outside building is in good condition, but needs a new roof. Looks like a perfect example of mid-century commercial to me! Legistar 93509: madison.legistar.com/LegislationD...

One note is that developers are using the color scheme on the left, not the one on the right shown in most of it's plan (I honestly can't tell the difference...). PC approved conditional use approval with staff recommended conditions, and recommended approval of zoning & CSM to Council.

West siders are losing their minds at Madison Plan Commission over a new Edgewood stadium, but other things happened tonight! They approved 163 unit (321 brm)4 story WHEDA funded building at 1201 Huxley,204 parking stalls. Zoning allows 6 stories, but dev says they didn't have room for more parking.

I guess we know now how East Towne Mall is becoming a city Landmark. UW-Milwaukee is giving the city money to drive around looking for historically significant buildings from the '60s-'80s. Honestly can't think of a building more sig. for the late 20th century economy and culture than a 1970s mall.

John Imes is fighting his removal as Shorewood Hills president, asking Dane County Circuit Court to review it. In other news, Trustee Utschig has so far refused to provide me texts he stated existed during Imes' removal hearing.

Common Council next looking to allow non-residential buildings in residential districts to add 50' of height through a conditional use approval. The immediate need for this zoning change is to allow a taller gym for a new school. This is only for uses already allowed in res districts.

CC eliminated the requirement that several uses (including places of worship, hospitals & schools) require access to at least a (higher traffic) collector street. Traffic engineering & Plan Commission will still review. Cherokee Heights Middle Schl redevelopment requires this under current plans.

The city isn't most of the property tax - half of it goes to schools.

To close the budget gaps, all agencies will need to plan for 2% cuts (grant funded programs excluded), and can't ask for more positions over continuation of service plans. They can't just fill gaps with inter-agency charges. They will try to use data in the process, bringing service indicators.

Metro revenues have remained stable, but costs have increased. Federal aid from after pandemic are gone. The difference must be supplied by the general fund.

Some shortfall is due to continuation of service assumptions, like 3% salary increase. One thing to keep in mind is that some of the revenue gap was anticipated in the 2026 budget,though it didn't anticipate as much inflation or increased metro subsidy. Increased special charges help fill the gap.

OK, I know they want to make a point that our expenditures are too high, but this is a bit of a graph crime. Madison total operating expenditures are $450M, and the shortfall is only $11M.

So far in 2026, expenditures are running above the budget and above the state expenditure limit. Biggest increases are salary+benefits and Metro subsidy.This is one reason the Mayor is looking for cuts in city agencies for the 2027 budget.

It's Madison Common Council tonight. Budget season is in full swing. Historically the levy limit was the primary constraint on spending, but our higher levy limit (from ref.) and higher inflation means that we are running up to a state expenditure restraint limit, could mean losing $8M if we go over

YIMBY Index is in a drought. I can't post new alder rankings until we get at least 2 non-unanimous YIMBY votes...and we've had 0 since the beginning of this term. Can we please get a 5 over 1 on the near west side, or a fight over ADUs? Trees? Something!?! Anything!?!

It also looks like the city may use their zoning powers to limit the size of possible data centers, through limits on building size and form. Any direct regulation of power and water use would have to come from utilities or state gov. Dane county may also institute a moratorium outside of Madison.

The city imagines most large data centers limited to commercial or industrial zones, and so zoning will be written with that in mind. The availability of space, high-voltage power, and appropriate zoning make it less likely that a "hyperscale" data center would be built in Madison.

Staff also gave an update about possible ordinance changes for data centers - there is a moratorium as the city investigates zoning changes. The city can't directly regulate water use, but can limit the size, form, and location of them. Presentation: madison.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=...

If PC did approve amplified sound, Staff wanted to limit it to before 8pm (instead of 9pm some weekends) at the latest, and also require the business to come back next year for a new approval. Staff noted the nearby houses, and that other recent approvals had similar conditions.

The news was talking about data centers, but the really big issue at last night's Madison Plan Commission was approval of amp sound permit for Zuzu Café, 1336 Drake. They have had music with small amps since Covid but never had permit. Staff was concerned, but neighbors & Ald Evers wanted approval.

Am I a weirdo for thinking that tall buildings provide the best shade?

SW area plane has a significant focus on transportation. They hope to improve bike path and sidewalk connectivity, street connectivity, and specific improvements for Verona Rd, Raymond Rd, and others.

One important feature of area plans is that they are eliminating local plans that existed in the area. They also alter the city Comprehensive Plan (required by state law). The idea is that people can look in one place for plans - the Comp Plan - www.cityofmadison.com/dpced/planni...

Dems have a really good chance of winning state Senate, with 3 open seats currently GOP, all of which went to Harris. The Assembly will be very close. WI could easily end up with anything from Dem trifecta, to split control.

The City's state lobbyists are presenting about their activities - not much was accomplished this year (other than the budget), but legislative & gov leadership will change next year. So let's hope for better things next year! Priorities & accomplishments. madison.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=...

Tonight at Madison Common Council, Master Hall is up for landmark designation. Although staff and Landmarks Com. recommended it be placed on file because it is set to be demolished, they also said that it is worthy of landmark status. Nomination here: madison.legistar.com/LegislationD...

Madison's Southwest Area Plan will feature some limited density increases, many coming from converting some Low-Medium Res (LMR) to a new lower density Medium Res (MR1). Instead of standard Medium Residential, they only allow 4 (not 5) stories. It is paired with elimination of LMR escalation clause.

Of course, if the state allows S Stoughton Rd. to be transformed into an urban boulevard with a 35mph speed limit, that could totally transform the SE area. Unfortunately that is likely pie in the sky, as WISDOT loves highways.

And let us never forget the great butter fire of 1991!