Plan Commission approves 5‑story mixed‑use affordable housing at Verona Road interchange amid divided public input

The Madison Plan Commission on June 23 approved a conditional use permit for a five‑story mixed‑use building at 4506–4514 Verona Road, allowing demolition of two commercial buildings and construction of a 93‑unit apartment building with about 324 square feet of leasable commercial/community service space.

Planner Colin Punt of the City of Madison summarized the staff report and an addendum. Punt said the comprehensive plan recommends a “general commercial” future land use for the site and noted that, in the May 19 staff report, staff had identified concerns with conditional‑use standards (particularly standards 1, 2 and 4). After the applicant submitted additional materials and staff published an addendum, Punt said staff believed it “may be possible for the commission to find that standard to be met,” and that staff’s recommendation was approval provided the commission makes findings for the conditional‑use standards. Punt also advised that a motion should state findings and reasoning.

The applicant team (Kenilworth & Bruce Architects and Lincoln Avenue Communities) presented plans showing a U‑shaped building pushed south and west on the site to form a sheltered central courtyard with an outdoor play area and an indoor playroom intended for children, underground and surface parking, and a small dedicated community service / leasable space near the main entry. Architect Kevin Burrow described exterior materials and…