Madison, WI Zoning Board of Adjustment
Sundays tracks every public Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting in Madison, WI and summarizes what was decided — variances, site-plan and subdivision applications, and Board of Adjustment hearings. Land-use items are kept off the weekly Sundays email (they're a specialist read), but every one is archived here and verified against the official meeting record. 46 items on file; most recent August 13, 2026.
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Recommendation for approval: Oakwood Village amended GDP/SIP, TOD frontage waiver, and bike parking exception
The commission voted to recommend approval of the Oakwood Village University Woods amended planned development GDP and SIP for a five-story, 92-unit multi-family independent living building, subject to Urban Design Commission recommendations and staff/agency conditions, including a waiver of TOD frontage requirements and a reduction from otherwise required bike parking to the proposed amount.
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Referral to August 31: 502 Farm Road / 502 Flowering Road — Sennett Middle School conditional uses
The commission referred Legistar 93276 to the August 31 meeting. The item concerns conditional uses for construction of a new Sennett Middle School building and related parking and adjacency to a city-owned public park.
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Secretary’s Report: Upcoming Agenda Items and Planning Updates
Staff provided a secretary’s report previewing upcoming matters, including anticipated Edgewater Hotel modifications, additional school projects (Toki and Orchard Ridge), a far west side plat (Hawk Nest), ongoing work on planned development zoning changes, a rescheduled boundary review presentation, and a future data center discussion.
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Approval of Conditional Uses: New Public Middle School at 4301 Cherokee Drive
The Commission approved conditional use requests for a public/private school use in the TR-C1 district, a building exceeding 10,000 square feet, and an increase of 20 parking spaces (also exceeding the 10 maximum parking requirement) to construct a new public middle school building replacing the existing Cherokee building. One commissioner expressed disappointment about drop lines; the motion passed unanimously by roll call.
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Staff Q&A: Conditional Use Standards, Access on Cherokee Drive, and Transportation Demand Management
A commissioner asked staff about conditional use standards and whether the Cherokee Drive entrance would incentivize driving. Staff described internal review through a development assistance team, transportation engineering review, a transportation demand management plan requirement, and conditions for a drop-off/pick-up parking plan.
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Public Hearing Testimony: Cherokee Heights Middle School Replacement Project (4301 Cherokee Drive)
During the public hearing, school district representatives described the site plan and building design for the new Cherokee Middle School and answered questions. Testimony covered building placement, entrances, bus staging, drop-off loop, landscaping, preservation of a heritage oak, topography-driven two-level design, and a planned chimney swift feature.
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Public Hearing and Staff Presentation: 4301 Cherokee Drive (Cherokee Heights Middle School Demolition and New School Conditional Uses)
The Commission opened a combined public hearing for items 6 and 7 at 4301 Cherokee Drive. Planning staff presented the demolition permit and conditional use requests, including Landmarks Commission findings, the district’s cost rationale for replacement, and parking and design review details.
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Referral to Next Meeting: 502 Flambeau Road (New Senate Middle School Building)
The Commission referred Legistar 93276 for 502 Flambeau Road to the next meeting (August 10, 2026). The item involved a conditional use request to construct a new building in the Campus Institutional (CI) District without an adopted campus master plan.
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Conditional Use: Outdoor Amplified Sound for Outdoor Eating Area at 1336 Drake Street (NMX District)
The commission held a public hearing on a conditional use request for outdoor amplified sound at a restaurant patio at 1336 Drake Street. Multiple residents and performers spoke in support; one registrant was listed in opposition but did not speak. The commission approved the conditional use with modified conditions, including specific days/hours and removing the one-year expiration condition.
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Zoning Text Amendment: Increase Maximum Height for Certain Non-Residential Buildings in Residential Districts (Conditional Use)
Staff presented a zoning text amendment to allow non-residential buildings in residential zoning districts to exceed the 35-foot height limit through conditional use approval. The public hearing included one registered supporter (not speaking) and one registered opponent (not speaking). The commission voted unanimously to recommend approval.
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Amending code to increase maximum height allowed for non-residential buildings in certain districts with conditional use approval
The Council adopted Legislative File 93404 to allow certain non-residential buildings in residential zoning districts to exceed the standard maximum height through conditional use approval, up to 50 feet. Staff emphasized it applies only to limited non-residential uses (e.g., schools) already allowed as conditional uses, not apartments.
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Public comment on item 13 (Legislative File 93404) — request to hold ordinance changes
One resident spoke on item 13, asking the Council to place Legislative File 93404 (and companion 93403) on hold to allow alders and residents time to understand and discuss the impacts of the proposed zoning changes, including the proposed increase in allowable non-residential building height.
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362 Atwood Avenue: Conditional use to convert office building to two-unit residence
The Commission held a public hearing and approved a conditional use at 362 Atwood Avenue (Legistar 93509) to convert an existing two-story office building into a two-unit, two-family dwelling in the Neighborhood Mixed-Use District, subject to staff conditions. The item passed unanimously.
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Consent agenda referral: 110 Rusk Avenue / 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way (Alliant Energy Center) conditional use for exhibition hall additions
The Commission referred Legistar 93275 regarding 110 Rusk Avenue / 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way for a conditional use in the Parks and Recreation District to allow construction additions to the exhibition hall at the Alliant Energy Center. The referral was to the July 27 meeting and passed unanimously.
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Secretary’s Report: Recent Council Action and Upcoming Plan Commission Matters
The secretary reported on a withdrawn appeal related to a conditional use approval at 555 Odana Road/5534 Medical Circle, upcoming elections for chair/vice chair and committee appointments, pending member appointments, and planning topics for upcoming meetings including area plans, a June 11 special meeting agenda, and data center policy work.
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Referral of Conditional Use Request (2010–2030 Pennsylvania Avenue / 1902 East Johnson Street)
The commission referred Legistar 91511 to the June 15, 2026 meeting. The item involved a conditional use request for an outdoor recreation pool serving a seven-story, 493-unit multifamily development in an Urban Design District with RMX zoning and a Transit-Oriented Development overlay.
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21+ Entertainment License and New License — La Taguara Bar & Grill (310 Crossroads Dr) — Approved with Conditional Use Permit Compliance
The committee granted agenda items 54 and 62 for La Taguara Bar & Grill, noting the application was due to a partner retiring and the need to reapply under a new entity. The applicant described Latin music and dancing events and potential outdoor amplified sound. The committee approved with a condition to abide by conditional use permit provisions and corrected capacity figures on the record.
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Public Hearing — New License — Mi Baro Authentic Mexican Food (824 E Johnson St) — Approved with Conditions
The committee held a public hearing for a new license for Mi Baro Authentic Mexican Food at 824 E Johnson Street. The applicant sought alcohol sales to increase income and meet customer requests. The committee granted the license with conditions to comply with conditional use permit provisions and to cease alcohol sales at 10:00 p.m. daily.
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Change License Premise — Taco Madre (2827 Atwood Ave) — Patio Use Approved with Conditional Use Permit Compliance
The committee considered a request to use a patio for Taco Madre. Members discussed the need to comply with zoning/conditional use permit requirements for outdoor dining and closing times. The committee granted the change of premise with a condition that the establishment abide by conditional use permit provisions.
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Conditional Use: 1111-1135 Regent Street and 2 South Mills Street
The commission approved conditional uses for a six-story mixed-use building featuring 108 dwelling units and increased commercial frontage on Regent Street.
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Conditional Use: 7401 Mineral Point Road
The commission approved a conditional use for a two-story multi-tenant commercial building with a two-lane drive-through at 7401 Mineral Point Road.
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Appeal of Plan Commission Action: 2927 East Washington Avenue
The Council voted unanimously to uphold the Plan Commission's denial of a conditional use request for outdoor amplified sound at 2927 East Washington Avenue.
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Public Comment on Item 7: Appeal of Plan Commission Action (2927 East Washington Avenue)
Residents and an architect provided testimony regarding an appeal of the Plan Commission's denial of a conditional use request for outdoor amplified sound at Manqua Brewing.
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Separated Liquor License Renewal: Hayes Place
The committee recommended the renewal of the liquor and entertainment licenses for Hayes Place with a condition requiring live entertainment to cease by midnight on weekends and 10:00 p.m. on weekdays to align with the conditional use permit.
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Land Use Law and Legal Standards Refresher
Assistant City Attorney Kate Smith provided a detailed legal refresher on Wisconsin land use law, focusing on the commission's role as a quasi-judicial body, the limits of municipal discretion in conditional use permits, and best practices for creating defensible records.
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Conditional Use Request for Friends Applaud Restaurant
The commission approved a conditional use request for Friends Applaud restaurant at 1602 Gilson Street, allowing outdoor dining and amplified sound under strict conditions, including hours of operation and noise mitigation measures.
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Conditional Use Referral for 2010-2030 Pennsylvania Avenue Mixed-Use Development
This resolution refers the conditional use application for a seven-story, 493-unit mixed-use development to the May 11, 2026, meeting.
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Conditional Use Referral for 1010 Street Parking Facility
This resolution refers the conditional use application for a private parking facility at 1010 Street in Alder District 14 to the April 27, 2026, meeting.
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Conditional Use for Multifamily Dwelling and Outdoor Recreation at 1051 South Pleasant View Road
The resolution approves the conditional use of a five-story, 226-unit multifamily dwelling with an outdoor pool at 1051 South Pleasant View Road in Alder District 9.
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Conditional Use Approval for 1111-1135 Regent Street Development
This ordinance considers conditional use approval for a six-story mixed-use building at 1111-1135 Regent Street, including 1,200 square feet of commercial space and 111 residential units. Key discussions include the need for increased ground-floor commercial frontage and compliance with step-back and height transition requirements.
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Discussion on Outdoor Eating Area Conditional Use
The commission discussed a conditional use request for outdoor eating areas with amplified sound at Friends Applaud, addressing neighborhood concerns about noise and accessibility.
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Conditional Use Permit for Mixed-Use Development at 5555 Odana Road and 5534 Medical Circle
The resolution approves a conditional use permit for constructing mixed-use buildings at 5555 Odana Road and 5534 Medical Circle, ensuring alignment with urban planning goals. Public objections focused on impacts on the Montessori Children’s House and neighborhood character.
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Approval of Conditional Use for Six-Story Mixed-Use Building at 437 South Yellowstone Drive
A conditional use request for a six-story mixed-use building at 437 South Yellowstone Drive was approved. The project includes 130 dwelling units, 650 square feet of commercial space, and exceeds the district height limit of five stories.
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Approval of Conditional Use for South Yellowstone Drive Mixed-Use Building
This resolution approves conditional uses for a six-story mixed-use building at 437 South Yellowstone Drive, including 130 dwelling units and 650 square feet of commercial space, exceeding the district height limit.
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Referral of Conditional Use for North Walter Street Development
This resolution refers the consideration of conditional use for a residential complex at 111 North Walter Street, involving two six-unit townhouse buildings and a shared storage building, to a future meeting on April 27, 2026.
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Alteration of Conditional Use for North Butler Street Development
This resolution seeks an alteration to approved conditional uses for a five-story, 73-unit apartment building at 121 North Butler Street in the downtown residential district (DR2), focusing on the use of an alternative material palette.
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Alteration of Conditional Uses for Rise Lane and Fair Oaks Avenue Development
This resolution considers alterations to approved conditional uses for a mixed-use site at 942-963 Rise Lane and 969-979 North Fair Oaks Avenue. It involves adjustments to screening along the boundary of residential properties and aligns with the commercial corridor transitional district (CCT).
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Conditional Use Request for South Yellowstone Drive
This ordinance involves the conditional use approval for constructing a six-story mixed-use building with commercial space and dwelling units exceeding the height limit in the suburban employment (SE) district.
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Conditional Use Referral for North Walter Street
This ordinance concerns the referral of a conditional use request for a residential building complex containing two six-unit townhouse buildings and a shared storage building in the TRV2 district. The referral was deferred to April 27, 2026.
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Conditional Use Alteration for North Butler Street
This ordinance involves the alteration of approved conditional uses for a downtown residential (DR2) district multifamily dwelling of greater than eight units. It permits alternative material palettes for a five-story, 73-unit apartment building.
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Conditional Use Alteration for Rise Lane and North Fair Oaks Avenue
This ordinance involves the alteration of approved conditional uses in a commercial corridor transitional (CCT) district for a mixed-use building containing multifamily dwellings. It aims to allow alternative screening along the boundary complex adjacent to residentially zoned properties.
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Discussion on Conditional Use Standards for Amplified Sound at Manakqua Brewing Company
The Plan Commission deliberated on a request from Manakqua Brewing Company for conditional use of amplified sound at their outdoor eating area. Concerns were raised regarding noise impacts on nearby residential properties, leading to a decision to place the request on file without prejudice due to unresolved compliance with standard three of conditional use standards.
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Conditional Use for South Yellowstone Drive Development
A six-story mixed-use building with 130 dwelling units and commercial space was proposed on South Yellowstone Drive, with conditional use approval recommended.
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Conditional Use for Amplified Sound at East Washington Avenue
This resolution addresses a request for conditional use approval for amplified sound and extended hours at an outdoor eating area for Manakqua Brewing Company.
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Conditional Use for Amplified Sound at 2927 East Washington Avenue
This ordinance reviews a conditional use application by Manakqua Brewing Company for amplified sound in an outdoor eating area at 2927 East Washington Avenue.
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Discussion on Amplified Sound for Outdoor Area at Manakqua Brewing Company
The commission considered a conditional use request from Manakqua Brewing Company for amplified sound in its outdoor area, with public feedback reflecting mixed opinions.