Fiscal Note
On March 23, 2020, the Mayor issued an Emergency Proclamation based on the increasing transmission of the COVID-19 virus within the City of Madison. The proposed resolution would suspend the requirement under MGO 28.098(5)(a)2 that developers hold a pre-application Planned Development Concept Presentation with the Urban Design Commission. Under the ordinance, these meetings are for informational purposes only, and the Commission takes no action on the plans. The intent of this presentation is to explore issues associated with the proposal prior to investment of significant resources in development of design plans. No fiscal impact is anticipated.
Title
Suspend the requirement that developers hold a pre-application presentation with the Urban Design Commission pursuant to Madison General Ordinance Section 28.098(5)(a)2.
Body
WHEREAS, on March 23, 2020, pursuant to Madison General Ordinance Section 3.19, the Mayor issued an Emergency Proclamation, based on the increasing transmission of COVID-19 within the City of Madison; and
WHEREAS, on March 24, 2020, the Governor of Wisconsin issued Emergency Order #12 ordering individuals to remain home except for Essential Travel; and
WHEREAS, as part of the Governor’s Order all Nonessential Businesses are required to close; and
WHEREAS, the closure of numerous businesses throughout the City has the potential to have significant negative financial impact on business owners; and
WHEREAS, businesses declared essential, such as those providing construction services, are facing a unique and uncertain economy; and
WHEREAS, it is important for the City’s economy to encourage the continuation of development as much as possible during the global health pandemic; and
WHEREAS, currently any developer wishing to construct a Planned Development must hold an “informational” meeting with the Urban Design Commission to review the developer’s overall concept; and
WHEREAS, due to the global health pandemic, the Urban Design Commission cannot meet absent an emergency meeting ordered by the Mayor and Common Council President; and
WHEREAS, temporarily suspending the requirement that developers hold a pre-application meeting with the Urban Design Commission will allow developers to apply to construct Planned Developments without first meeting with the Urban Design Commission, but would not eliminate the need for them, where required, to receive further feedback or approval from the Urban Design Commission after the application is submitted.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that effective immediately, the City will temporarily suspend the requirement contained in Madison General Ordinance Section 28.098(5)(a)2 that requires developers hold a pre-application Planned Development Concept Presentation with Urban Design Commission until the Director of Public Health Madison and Dane County and the Governor of Wisconsin determine to end the emergency actions they have taken to combat the coronavirus pandemic.