Planning commission recommends rezoning at 3483 N. Michigan Road to residential-agriculture

The Madison City Planning Commission on Monday voted to recommend that City Council rezone two parcels at 3483 North Michigan Road from light-industry (M-1) to residential-agriculture (RA).

The request, filed as application PCRZ-25-1 by Brandon Dougal on behalf of property owner Sheila Racher, covers parcel IDs 39-08-14-000-016.000-006 and 39-08-15-000-014.000-006. Dougal said the owner wants to “rezone it to agriculture so I can do a thousand square foot addition on it.” Nicole (staff member) told the commission the property “has historically been in home,” and that the applicant intends renovations.

Commission discussion focused on why the RA designation was sought instead of a residential classification such as R-4. Commissioners and staff noted R-4 rules would not permit livestock without a conditional use permit or variance; the applicant said there are horses on the property and that keeping them was a primary reason for pursuing RA. Commissioners also discussed the irregular patchwork of zoning on the west side of the road and raised spot-zoning concerns while weighing whether a variance or conditional use might be an alternative.

After discussion the commission moved and seconded a recommendation to City Council. Nicole conducted a roll call; the transcript records the following recorded votes in favor: Rick Perez — yes; Josh Wilbur — yes; Jerry Ralston — yes; Carl Eveland — yes; Zach Laughlin — yes; Mike Armstrong — yes; Joel Storm — yes; Patrick Tavanagh — yes. The motion passed and the commission recommended approval to City Council.

Because the commission’s action was a recommendation, final approval will rest with City Council. The applicant and staff signaled no immediate changes to utilities or lot configuration beyond the stated plan to combine the parcels and add roughly 1,000 square feet to the house.

The commission did not take public comment on the item at the meeting.