The Madison Common Council adopted an inclusionary zoning ordinance as of press time Wednesday morning, which requires developers to have a mix of priced housing in divisions by Feb. 15.
\This is a very big deal,"" said Ald. Mike Verveer, D-4. ""It is one of the most comprehensive ordinances in the midwest and in the country.""
Mayor Dave Cieslewicz has made inclusionary zoning his number one campaign promise, and has been working on it throughout his nine months in office. Verveer said members of the common council have been discussing it for two years prior to the start of Cieslewicz's term. It requires developpers to set aside a percentage of rental housing units for persons of all economic means.
According to Verveer, there were several no-votes from members of the developing commission, but the decision was a ""very exciting"" step for the city of Madison.
Officials charged two University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire students Friday for smashing windows during the 2003 Halloween party on State Street, according to The Capital Times.
Sarah M. Tromp and Jonathan M. Negro face charges of disorderly conduct and criminal damage to property totalling over $2,500 for their actions during the early morning riot Nov. 2.
The criminal complaint says Negro and his 21-year-old brother, Ryan C. Negro, noticed a crowd near the end of State Street, and reportedly moved toward it to ""be in the action."" According to police, Ryan Negro had a gun, which they later discovered was fake.
Madison Emergency Response Team officials responded to fears that his gun was real. Police also have a video tape of Ryan Negro smashing a window of University Inn, 441 N. Frances St., with a rock. There is also a tape of Jonathan Negro throwing unidentified objects toward University Inn and Tromp throwing objects into the crowd.
There were 14 windows broken at the hotel, which cost $1,000 to repair.
