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Draft UDO would map floodplain, historic and airport overlays to flag development constraints
Summary
The draft ordinance adds three overlays—flood hazard, historic district and airport protection—that mirror existing DNR/FEMA and FAA guidance to flag areas for extra review; the airport overlay includes a 60‑foot local cap and deed-based noise acknowledgement for buyers in certain zones.
Amy, the UDO consultant, told the Planning Commission the draft adds three overlays to the zoning map that function as regulatory 'red flags' to guide applicants and staff.
Flood hazard overlay: The UDO mirrors Department of Natural Resources and FEMA flood hazard maps so properties within mapped zones are clearly flagged for compliance with floodplain rules. Amy said the overlay does not change substantive flood regulations already enforced by state or federal law but helps staff and applicants spot those constraints quickly.
Historic overlay: The UDO carries forward existing historic-district protections and design-review processes; it will appear as an overlay layer so users see where special review and design standards apply.
Airport protection overlay: For airport and heliport parcels, the draft creates an overlay that coordinates with FAA and the state Office of Aviation. Amy described a simplified local approach: "We've said the max height in any district is 60 feet," and where FAA requires different standards the federal standard controls. The overlay also encourages review by the Madison Airport and includes buyer acknowledgement language for noise-sensitive areas so new owners understand airport noise and approach-zone constraints. Amy said the overlay is meant to avoid costly mistakes for property owners and reduce conflicts with airport operations.
Why it matters: The overlays seek to increase clarity at the map level and reduce later conflicts (e.g., building into a flight path or a mapped floodplain). The airport overlay specifically targets uses that have high concentrations of people (like hospitals, nursing homes, multifamily) and activities that attract birds.
Next step: Staff will incorporate feedback and coordinate with the airport and state agencies as part of the Planning Commission and Council review process.
