Fiscal Note
There is no fiscal impact associated with the adoption of the Plan. Implementing recommendations within the
Plan will require the inclusion of expenditures in future capital and operating budgets, subject to Common
Council approval at that time.
Title
Adopting the Arbor Hills - Leopold Neighborhood Plan as a Supplement to the City of Madison Comprehensive Plan.
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Madison Comprehensive Plan, adopted January 17, 2006, recommends the adoption of neighborhood plans for established residential neighborhoods within the City; and
WHEREAS, the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Committee designated the Arbor Hills - Leopold Planning Study Area (Census Tract 14.02 and a portion of Census Tract 14.03 - see attached map) as a CDBG Concentration Neighborhood for the purposes of providing planning assistance and CDBG funding for eligible improvement projects; and
WHEREAS, representatives from the City of Madison, City of Fitchburg, Town of Madison, Leopold Neighborhood Association, Arbor Hills Neighborhood Association, Leopold Elementary School, and other community groups organized extensive outreach involving three stakeholder meetings; numerous stakeholder interviews and discussions, including with non-native English speakers; four Public Open House events; and participation in area neighborhood association and other community group meetings (with interpretation and translation for non-native English speakers); and
WHEREAS, the Plan describes the desired vision for the future of the planning study area and provides recommendations to guide land use and investment decisions to improve the safety and efficiency of transportation, to improve community health and wellness, to expand community programming and services, to enhance parks and open spaces, to increase owner-occupied housing and improve housing quality, and to improve access to jobs skills training and employment resources; and
WHEREAS, the top four recommendations identified through the planning process are shown below in priority order:
1. Create a neighborhood focus centered on the Leopold Elementary School by expanding the Leopold Open Schoolhouse, enhancing public open space use at Aldo Leopold Park and future use at Nine Springs Golf Course, and establishing a hub of community and economic empowerment services and programming.
2. Increase owner-occupancy and upgrade residential property especially in the Turbot/Sunfish, Greenway/Churchill and Ashford/Ardsley Housing Areas.
3. Explore crime and safety issues further with resident and business focus groups, identify challenged areas and create strategies.
4. Improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety in planning study area especially along the W. Beltline Highway Frontage Road, Post Road, Greenway Cross and Traceway Drive; and
WHEREAS, CDBG will work with the Department of Planning and Community and Economic Development to implement eligible projects with CDBG funding in 2013 and 2014.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Common Council does hereby adopt the Arbor Hills-Leopold Neighborhood Plan and the goals, recommendations and implementation steps contained therein as a supplement to the City's Comprehensive Plan.
Be it Further Resolved, that any changes to the Comprehensive Plan's Generalized Future Land Use Plan Map recommended in the Arbor Hills-Leopold Neighborhood Plan be considered for adoption during the next annual Comprehensive Plan evaluation and amendment process.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the appropriate City agencies consider including the recommendations of the Arbor Hills-Leopold Neighborhood Plan in future work plans and budgets.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Department of Planning and Community and Economic Development shall monitor the implementation status of recommendations included in the Plan and shall work to update the Plan within 10-15 years.