Fiscal Note
No City appropriation required.
Title
Adopting the Hawthorne-Truax Neighborhood Plan as a supplement to the City of Madison Comprehensive Plan
Body
WHEREAS the City of Madison Comprehensive Plan (2018) recommends the preparation of sub-area plans for established residential neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Plan established a vision and policies to guide future growth such as concentrating the highest intensity growth on transit corridors, improving pedestrian and bicycle networks, creating complete neighborhoods with a wider mix of housing and building vibrant and inviting places; and
WHEREAS the Common Council adopted Resolution 22-00146 (ID 69493) on February 22, 2022 authorizing the Planning Division to prepare an update to the Carpenter-Ridgeway-Hawthorne-Sycamore-MacArthur-Truax Neighborhood Plan (2001) for the Hawthorne-Truax area to better reflect current conditions and community needs and to align with the Comprehensive Plan; and
WHEREAS the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Committee designated the Hawthorne-Truax area (portions of Census Tracts 25.0, 26.01 and 26.02) as a CDBG eligible neighborhood, with higher concentration of low- and moderate- income residents, for the purposes of providing planning assistance and to facilitate deeper public engagement and guide future neighborhood investments; and
WHEREAS, Planning Division staff facilitated a robust public participation process, holding more than 25 meetings and other engagement activities with neighborhood residents, stakeholders and a Community Partners Group, soliciting community feedback on issues and reviewing draft plan materials, with public comments that centered on the need for affordable housing, community services, and placemaking; and
WHEREAS, over the last 5 years Madison grew 50% faster than projected in the Comprehensive Plan, adding approximately 4,000 new residents per year, and new housing construction must keep pace with population growth to reduce market pressures and limit future housing cost increases; and
WHEREAS, the Equitable Development Report (2019) found the Hawthorne-Truax area had populations vulnerable to displacement and relatively high housing cost increases, and maintaining affordable housing options is essential to neighborhood stability; and
WHEREAS, Bus Rapid Transit and Metro Transit network redesign will improve levels of transit service for residents, employees and visitors in the Hawthorne-Truax area starting June 11, 2023; and
WHEREAS, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation is studying new designs for Hwy 51, and those should reflect the community’s desire to connect neighborhoods safely and comfortably and not be solely focused on moving vehicles; and
WHEREAS, the Hawthorne-Truax Neighborhood Plan (the Plan) establishes a new framework for to guide neighborhood improvements and growth in the coming years, linking transit and new growth, expanding options for missing middle housing and pursuing continued affordable housing development; and
WHEREAS, the Plan recommends improved pedestrian and bicycle safety and comfort by adding missing sidewalks, re-envisioning street design, addressing problematic intersections and enhancing the bicycle network; and
WHEREAS, the Plan recommends steps to enhance neighborhood character and activity, through open space expansion, public art installation and neighborhood events; and
Whereas, the Plan identifies paths to link residents with needed community services utilizing City resources as well as those of community partners.
NOW, BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Hawthorne-Truax Neighborhood Plan is hereby adopted as a supplement to the City of Madison Comprehensive Plan.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that staff is directed to implement the recommendations contained in the Plan, including Community Development Block Grant-funded projects.