Zenz
@therealzenz.bsky.social
Mostly Madison, WI development and political news. I live-tweet most Madison Plan Commission and Common Council meetings. Views are my own. Councilytics.com
Get the popcorn. An upzone in a trendy low density residential area is the true test of whether an alder is committed to YIMBY.
madison.com/news/local/b...
madison.com/news/local/b...
November 14, 2025 at 4:56 AM
Get the popcorn. An upzone in a trendy low density residential area is the true test of whether an alder is committed to YIMBY.
madison.com/news/local/b...
madison.com/news/local/b...
OK, kids. Don't go to the municipal building on the 25th.
November 12, 2025 at 3:42 AM
OK, kids. Don't go to the municipal building on the 25th.
They spent (almost) all the money. Good job to all. They paid for a some amendments with extra rainy day fund balance. MUCH easier budget night than in the past. Figueroa Cole giving some final words celebrating the funding of the new temp men's shelter, Madison saying there is lots of demand.
November 12, 2025 at 3:35 AM
They spent (almost) all the money. Good job to all. They paid for a some amendments with extra rainy day fund balance. MUCH easier budget night than in the past. Figueroa Cole giving some final words celebrating the funding of the new temp men's shelter, Madison saying there is lots of demand.
Common Council also passed Operating Budget amendments, including both Finance Committee and those proposed in Common Council. They also passed a cost neutral floor amendment from Vidaver for EColi testing pilot.
madison.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=...
madison.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=...
madison.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=...
madison.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=...
November 12, 2025 at 1:51 AM
Common Council also passed Operating Budget amendments, including both Finance Committee and those proposed in Common Council. They also passed a cost neutral floor amendment from Vidaver for EColi testing pilot.
madison.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=...
madison.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=...
madison.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=...
madison.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=...
Madison Common Council passes the Finance Committee recommended Capital Budget unanimously with no discussion.
madison.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=...
madison.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=...
November 12, 2025 at 1:51 AM
Madison Common Council passes the Finance Committee recommended Capital Budget unanimously with no discussion.
madison.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=...
madison.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=...
Harrington-McKinney also pointing out that OIMP hasn't spent their entire budget in the past. They have routinely had various positions not filled. The budget is around $400k for 2.6 FTE.
November 12, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Harrington-McKinney also pointing out that OIMP hasn't spent their entire budget in the past. They have routinely had various positions not filled. The budget is around $400k for 2.6 FTE.
The amendment is really recent, so I can't find it in Legistar - or maybe I'm just being dense (it isn't one of the listed operating budget amendments that would have had to be submitted last week). I stole this from Brenda Konkel's facebook page!
November 12, 2025 at 12:29 AM
The amendment is really recent, so I can't find it in Legistar - or maybe I'm just being dense (it isn't one of the listed operating budget amendments that would have had to be submitted last week). I stole this from Brenda Konkel's facebook page!
The Capital Budget amendments passed at Finance Committee included a plan for the future purchase of body worn cameras, but noted that a plan would need to be developed for future operating expenses.
madison.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=...
madison.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=...
November 12, 2025 at 12:18 AM
The Capital Budget amendments passed at Finance Committee included a plan for the future purchase of body worn cameras, but noted that a plan would need to be developed for future operating expenses.
madison.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=...
madison.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=...
kind of a global warming sign
www.cityofmadison.com/news/2025-11...
www.cityofmadison.com/news/2025-11...
November 4, 2025 at 4:44 AM
kind of a global warming sign
www.cityofmadison.com/news/2025-11...
www.cityofmadison.com/news/2025-11...
The last item of the night was a condition use permit for 2 2-unit buildings in the backyard of two 3-unit buildings at 511 W Dayton st. UDC wanted cladding changes plus another side window and a window in bike parking area. UDC also wanted it sent back to UDC for a final approval.
November 4, 2025 at 2:57 AM
The last item of the night was a condition use permit for 2 2-unit buildings in the backyard of two 3-unit buildings at 511 W Dayton st. UDC wanted cladding changes plus another side window and a window in bike parking area. UDC also wanted it sent back to UDC for a final approval.
This building is really what urbanists have been pushing for years to push down market-rate prices for housing. It is small units, 16 stories, and no parking. This maximize housing density for the lot while keeping prices down. It's really these core ideas that are getting pushback.
November 4, 2025 at 12:45 AM
This building is really what urbanists have been pushing for years to push down market-rate prices for housing. It is small units, 16 stories, and no parking. This maximize housing density for the lot while keeping prices down. It's really these core ideas that are getting pushback.
"Traffic calming mural"....ok I don't think that is a thing...
November 4, 2025 at 12:38 AM
"Traffic calming mural"....ok I don't think that is a thing...
On to conditional use for a 320 unit 16 story apartment building at 139 W Wilson. Staff is concerned about the density of the building on a narrow lot, and particularly space for pickup/drop off and service vehicles. Dev. provides scenario for service/garbage vehicles, and plans on staggered move in
November 4, 2025 at 12:38 AM
On to conditional use for a 320 unit 16 story apartment building at 139 W Wilson. Staff is concerned about the density of the building on a narrow lot, and particularly space for pickup/drop off and service vehicles. Dev. provides scenario for service/garbage vehicles, and plans on staggered move in
The big item at tonight's Madison Plan Commission will be the 320 units I mention below, but first they are talking about changing the name of southern Ruskin to Huxley with the new through connection by the Hartmeyer. Some addresses will change.
bsky.app/profile/ther...
bsky.app/profile/ther...
November 4, 2025 at 12:09 AM
The big item at tonight's Madison Plan Commission will be the 320 units I mention below, but first they are talking about changing the name of southern Ruskin to Huxley with the new through connection by the Hartmeyer. Some addresses will change.
bsky.app/profile/ther...
bsky.app/profile/ther...
Monday at Madison Plan Commission a downtown 320 microunit unit apartment building downtown at 139 W Wilson St up for approval; staff is concerned that it may be too dense for the narrow lot and, without any parking, might mean too much loading/pickup activity.
madison.legistar.com/LegislationD...
madison.legistar.com/LegislationD...
November 3, 2025 at 4:31 AM
Monday at Madison Plan Commission a downtown 320 microunit unit apartment building downtown at 139 W Wilson St up for approval; staff is concerned that it may be too dense for the narrow lot and, without any parking, might mean too much loading/pickup activity.
madison.legistar.com/LegislationD...
madison.legistar.com/LegislationD...
October 29, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Madison Common Council sure has changed. Tonight sidewalks on Sycamore received objections by neighbors saying they didn't want sidewalks and worried about (4) trees being cut down.But Council unanimously approved, noting that sidewalks were necessary, not paid by homeowners, and part of city plans.
October 29, 2025 at 2:47 AM
Madison Common Council sure has changed. Tonight sidewalks on Sycamore received objections by neighbors saying they didn't want sidewalks and worried about (4) trees being cut down.But Council unanimously approved, noting that sidewalks were necessary, not paid by homeowners, and part of city plans.
I didn't even say anything :-/
But is this it?
But is this it?
October 24, 2025 at 2:42 AM
I didn't even say anything :-/
But is this it?
But is this it?
On the bright side there are some redevelopments on the horizon in Shorewood hills, and seemingly an openness for ADUs. All of this in response to a need to increase net new construction. Ideas from Garden Homes neighborhood plan, largely destroyed in floods.
shorewoodhillswi.gov/vertical/sit...
shorewoodhillswi.gov/vertical/sit...
October 22, 2025 at 2:22 AM
On the bright side there are some redevelopments on the horizon in Shorewood hills, and seemingly an openness for ADUs. All of this in response to a need to increase net new construction. Ideas from Garden Homes neighborhood plan, largely destroyed in floods.
shorewoodhillswi.gov/vertical/sit...
shorewoodhillswi.gov/vertical/sit...
This has some pretty dramatic elevation changes, and the city is requiring a traffic study to understand any negative impacts on the surrounding neighborhood. Primary parking and bike entrance on E Wash entrance, though a split parking garage. It is also U-shaped with a courtyard.
October 20, 2025 at 11:40 PM
This has some pretty dramatic elevation changes, and the city is requiring a traffic study to understand any negative impacts on the surrounding neighborhood. Primary parking and bike entrance on E Wash entrance, though a split parking garage. It is also U-shaped with a courtyard.
Next a 5 story 91 unit affordable senior apartment building with offices or a social services. This is very near the 171 unit building just approved tonight. Though not required, stepped down to a 2 story building along the neighborhood to the west.
Legistar: madison.legistar.com/LegislationD...
Legistar: madison.legistar.com/LegislationD...
October 20, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Next a 5 story 91 unit affordable senior apartment building with offices or a social services. This is very near the 171 unit building just approved tonight. Though not required, stepped down to a 2 story building along the neighborhood to the west.
Legistar: madison.legistar.com/LegislationD...
Legistar: madison.legistar.com/LegislationD...
Staff is telling PC that before the final plat is approved the developer needs to make some refinements. They will include some more outlots for park, stormwater, and some raod refinements. Tonight the zoning and initial plats are up recommendation to Common Council.
October 20, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Staff is telling PC that before the final plat is approved the developer needs to make some refinements. They will include some more outlots for park, stormwater, and some raod refinements. Tonight the zoning and initial plats are up recommendation to Common Council.
The "Leo Living" subdivision on the far east side has come back. This was rejected earlier, because staff did not think that the plan accounted for areas needed for only stormwater use. Now the southwest part of the property will not have any development, and part will be dedicated as a Park.
October 20, 2025 at 11:24 PM
The "Leo Living" subdivision on the far east side has come back. This was rejected earlier, because staff did not think that the plan accounted for areas needed for only stormwater use. Now the southwest part of the property will not have any development, and part will be dedicated as a Park.
At Madison Plan Commision they approved a 171 unit apartment building at E Wash and Fair Oaks on the consent agenda. A 91 unit building at more units at 3222 E Wash yet to come on the agenda. Another building at 120 N Orchard (48 units) placed on file. Will dig into that more below.
October 20, 2025 at 11:09 PM
At Madison Plan Commision they approved a 171 unit apartment building at E Wash and Fair Oaks on the consent agenda. A 91 unit building at more units at 3222 E Wash yet to come on the agenda. Another building at 120 N Orchard (48 units) placed on file. Will dig into that more below.
New Madison Common Council YIMBY voting scores are up, along with voting record details. This time we also include a list of non-housing votes as well. There is an election in Spring!
www.councilytics.com
www.councilytics.com
October 12, 2025 at 5:06 PM
New Madison Common Council YIMBY voting scores are up, along with voting record details. This time we also include a list of non-housing votes as well. There is an election in Spring!
www.councilytics.com
www.councilytics.com