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City staff brief ALRC on proposed zoning changes to simplify entertainment licensing process
Summary
ALRC members reviewed proposed changes to Chapter 28 (zoning) that would remove duplicative Plan Commission review of entertainment-related conditional uses and clarify definitions (restaurant/tavern) so the ALRC’s municipal licensing role is streamlined.
City planning staff and Alders briefed the Alcohol License Review Committee on a proposed amendment to Madison’s zoning code (Chapter 28) that would streamline how entertainment-related uses are handled and remove duplicative Plan Commission review.
Alder Figueroa Cole explained that the draft ordinance aims to end a duplicative step in which entertainment proposals are heard by both the ALRC and the Plan Commission, requiring applicants to pay additional fees and face two reviews for substantially the same question. The draft changes proposed moving responsibility for certain conditional-use approvals to the Plan Commission’s existing tables and updating related definitions (including restaurant and tavern) to align with state law and current city practice. Staff provided a color-coded summary table showing each affected use table item and the change proposed.
Members said the proposed changes make the process clearer and reduce applicant burden. Assistant City Attorney McReynolds confirmed the ALRC would receive the briefing as an informational step; the zoning amendment itself will go to the Plan Commission for formal recommendation and then to Common Council for adoption. No formal vote occurred; staff said they will transmit the ordinance package to planning bodies and make materials available for further review.
