Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the 501 Whitney topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission OKs rezoning and 5‑story 42‑unit infill at 501 N. Whitney with facade and lighting conditions
Summary
The commission recommended rezoning 501 N. Whitney from NMX to Traditional Shopping Street (TSS) and approved conditional use for a 5‑story, 42‑unit building, asking the applicant to refine north/west facades and comply with dark‑sky lighting standards to limit impacts on nearby homes.
The Plan Commission forwarded a rezoning and approved conditional use Dec. 1 for a proposed five‑story, 42‑unit apartment building at 501 N. Whitney Way. The project will demolish an existing 3‑story, 15‑unit building and replace surface parking with a five‑story structure featuring enclosed parking (two levels of at‑grade enclosed parking afforded by site topography), a second‑floor roof plaza and stepped massing to reduce apparent height along Whitney Way.
Staff recommended rezoning from Neighborhood Mixed Use (NMX) to Traditional Shopping Street (TSS) because the NMX district does not permit multifamily developments with more than 36 units. Staff also recommended conditions addressing façade treatments along the northern and western elevations to reduce perceived mass and to revisit the fifth‑floor proportions. Commissioners and a nearby resident agreed on the importance of dark‑sky and down‑cast lighting to avoid light spill into adjacent bedrooms; the applicant committed to meeting Madison’s lighting standards and limiting exterior glare.
The commission approved the rezoning recommendation to Council and the conditional use subject to staff conditions, and recommended the certified survey map to Council. Staff said it will work with the applicant on façade refinements and final permit details.
What happens next: the Common Council will consider the rezoning and certified survey map; staff will require final façade and lighting plans during site‑plan and permit review.
