Marsha Rummel email to Marquette Neighborhood Listserv, July 20, 2014:

On July 17, I filed an appeal of the Plan Commission's July 7th, 2014 decision to grant
conditional use for 706 Williamson Street (File ID 34335). The appeal is pursuant to Section
28.183(5)(b) of the Zoning Code, which allows the alderperson of the district to file an appeal
within 10 days of the Plan Commission decision.

The appeal will be introduced on August 5 for a public hearing to be held during the Common
Council meeting of September 2. I will need 2/3 vote of the Common Council to modify the
decision of the Plan Commission.

There is considerable public interest in protection and appropriate development in the Third
Lake Historic District. This corner building will be the gateway to the historic district but it has
been approved without a corner entrance and lacks sufficient entry articulation on Williamson
St as required by ordinance.

Here is a link to the proposal.
http://www.cityofmadison.com/planning/projects/conditional/706ws.html

At the September 2 meeting, I will ask the Council refer the decision back to the Plan
Commission and if I get 2/3 of my colleagues to agree, I will ask the PC to require that the
developer, Marty Rifken, present his design for the ground floor entrances for public review
and feedback at a subsequent PC meeting.

In the TSS district, the mixed use Commercial Block Building form requires "Principal entry to
each ground floor unit shall be a direct entrance from a primary abutting street. Buildings shall
be designed with storefronts stoops or patios along at least 40% of the front ground floor
facade along the primary abutting street." (emphasis added)


There is a public interest in the design of street facades and the importance of
entrances for commercial buildings is referenced in several places in the general
requirements for Mixed-Use and Commercial Districts MGO Sec 28.060(2)(a) and (b)
and specific requirements for the Commercial Block Building form MGO Sec
28.173(1)(b) .

I believe the public should be able to review and give feedback to the Plan Commission on the
street facade articulation before the project gets final approval for construction. In my opinion,
the Plan Commission is the appropriate body to approve design elements required in the zoning
code, not Planning Division staff -after- the proposal is adopted.

Whether you support 706 Williamson or oppose it, I hope you will support me in insuring an
approval process where all of the required zoning elements as well as relevant adopted plans
are addressed by the Plan Commission.

Marsha