Plan Commission approves 5-story, 93-unit mixed-use affordable housing at 4506–4514 Verona Road after contested hearing

The Madison Plan Commission voted unanimously June 23 to approve a conditional use permit for the construction of a five-story mixed-use building containing 93 apartments and 324 square feet of leasable commercial space at 4506–4514 Verona Road (Alder District 10).

Planning staff summarized the application and the record. Colin, the project planner, told commissioners the Comprehensive Plan’s future land-use designation for the site is “general commercial,” which typically favors large-format retail and can discourage residential uses adjacent to highways; staff initially raised concerns under conditional-use standards 1, 2 and 4 but published an addendum after the applicant supplied supplemental materials. “If the plan commission can find that all conditional use standards… can be found met given the additional information conveyed in… the applicant supplemental letters, staff recommend that the commission approve the conditional use request,” the staff memo said.

The applicant team presented a site plan and extensive supportive materials. Architect Kevin Burrow (Kenilworth & Bruce Architects) described the layout, which places a sheltered outdoor courtyard and a dedicated outdoor play area away from Verona Road; he said the building will include underground resident parking, a community service room and…