Madison’s Planning Commission met Monday to discuss demolition and reconstruction plans for several buildings on Washington Avenue, Wilson Street and Park Street.
The commission unanimously approved plans to demolish an office building and construct a mixed-use building on East Wilson Street. The new building would have 127 apartment units and 9,100 square feet of commercial space.
Members of the neighborhood and surrounding residents opposed the construction plans because of aesthetics, concern for pedestrians and possible commercial uses of the building.
“People love Madison for its lakes… people get less excited about apartments on the lakes,” Madison resident Jay Van Cleave said.
Van Cleave said he and a group of other residents decided to raise funds to buy the land and to stop the plans, but this action will be unlikely to succeed since the commission approved current plans to build the new structure.
Ald. Mike Verveer, Dist. 4, also voiced similar concerns as his constituents who spoke at the meeting. While Verveer acknowledged the applicant’s compliance regarding the loss of six units in redesign, he said there are still issues to be discussed.
“It kind of took my breath away when I stood in some of the units of my directly affected constituents and tried to visualize a wall of apartments so close to them across the fire lane, and it’s hard to take,” Verveer added.
Common Council will review the plans for final action with the commission’s recommendation. Verveer will vote as part of the Council.
“My head says yes, but my heart says no,” Verveer concluded.
The commission also unanimously approved a demolition permit to remove three buildings and a portion of a fourth, including a factory and retail store on East Washington Avenue and East Main Street respectively.
The permit would allow the construction of an addition to an existing five-story building and surface parking. While the project is still in “phase one,” staff has given the plans initial approval, and the Urban Design Commission was generally pleased with the plans.
Commissioner Michael Rewey raised concerns with the plans, namely regarding bikers access to parking in the new lot without having to ride on sidewalks, which construction manager Steve Harms said he will look into further.
Additionally, the commission unanimously approved the construction of a residential building complex containing 11 townhouse units in two buildings, and the demolition of three single-family residences on South Park Street and Taft Street.
