Madison, WI Header
File #: 86649    Version: Name: Demolition Approval
Type: Ordinance Status: Passed
File created: 1/8/2025 In control: Attorney's Office
On agenda: 2/25/2025 Final action: 2/25/2025
Enactment date: 3/9/2025 Enactment #: ORD-25-00010
Title: AMENDED SUBSTITUTE: Repealing and recreating Section 28.185 and creating Section 41.28 of the Madison General Ordinances related to demolition of buildings to update the approval processes.
Sponsors: Marsha A. Rummel
Attachments: 1. 86649 Body - Version 3, 2. Zoning Text Memo 2-17-25 Housing Package & Non-Historic Demolition.pdf, 3. Public Comment 02-04-25.pdf, 4. Public Comment 02-05-25.pdf, 5. 86649 - Public Comment 2-10-25 12pm.pdf, 6. 86649 - Public Comment 2-10-25 4pm.pdf, 7. 86649 LC Action Report 2-10-25, 8. Public Comment 02-11-25.pdf, 9. 86649 Body - Version 2, 10. 86649 Master - Version 2, 11. 86649 Body - Version 1, 12. 86649 Master - Version 1, 13. DemolitionApproval_STAFFComments_Addendum_021325.pdf, 14. Public Comment 02-14-25 Legistar 86649 & 86650.pdf, 15. Public Comments 02-14_02-17-25.pdf, 16. Alder Rummel comments 02-17-25.pdf, 17. Demolition Code Changes Presentation 02172025 Plan Commission.pdf, 18. Demolition Presentation to Common Council_02-25-2025 Legistar 86649.pdf, 19. 022425-022525_CC_public_comments.pdf, 20. 022525_CC_public_comments.pdf, 21. Rummel alternate, 22. 022625_CC_public_comments.pdf
Date Ver.Action ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsWatch
2/25/20252 COMMON COUNCIL Adopt the following Amendment(s) to the SubstitutePass Action details Meeting details Not available
2/25/20252 COMMON COUNCIL Adopt As AmendedPass Action details Meeting details Not available
2/17/20251 PLAN COMMISSION RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT - PUBLIC HEARINGPass Action details Meeting details Not available
2/17/20252 PLAN COMMISSION RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT - PUBLIC HEARINGPass Action details Meeting details Not available
2/10/20251 LANDMARKS COMMISSION Return to Lead with the Recommendation for ApprovalPass Action details Meeting details Not available
1/14/20251 PLAN COMMISSION Refer  Action details Meeting details Not available
1/14/20251 COMMON COUNCIL Referred  Action details Meeting details Not available
1/8/20251 Attorney's Office Referred for Introduction  Action details Meeting details Not available
Fiscal Note
No City appropriation required.
Title
AMENDED SUBSTITUTE: Repealing and recreating Section 28.185 and creating Section 41.28 of the Madison General Ordinances related to demolition of buildings to update the approval processes.
Body
DRAFTER’S ANALYSIS: This proposed ordinance changes how demolition applications are reviewed by city staff and the Plan Commission. Under the current MGO 28.185, all applications for demolition are approved by the Plan Commission. This change proposes that only demolitions of buildings determined by the Landmarks Commission to have historic value by the Landmarks Commission will require Plan Commission approval. All demolitions of non-historic buildings can be processed administratively after Landmarks Commission reviews for historic value.
Currently, all principal buildings proposed for demolition are first reviewed by the Landmarks Commission for historic value. This proposed change would maintain that review for all applicants. The Landmarks Commission would review the proposed demolition for historic value and assign a Category (either A, B, or C) to the application. The descriptions of Categories A, B, and C are codified in the new subsection MGO 41.28. Category C demolitions, or those with no known historic value, will then be processed administratively. Category A and B applications, or those with historic value, move to the Plan Commission for review and approval. The Landmarks Commission already assigns a designation to all applications using similar methodology.
The Plan Commission will then evaluate the proposed demolition under the new standards in MGO 28.185(6)(c). Staff believes the new standards will help Commissioners better determine if a historic building should be demolished.
The substitute responds to questions and feedback staff and policymakers have received in relation to the proposed ordinance. The purpose of these changes is to:
· Update the purpose statement to include a statement about ...

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