Madison panel approves 6‑story, 130‑unit senior affordable building at 437 S. Yellowstone
Loading...
Summary
The Madison Plan Commission unanimously approved a conditional use allowing a six‑story, 130‑unit age‑ and income‑restricted mixed‑use building at 437 S. Yellowstone Drive (Odana Heights). Developers said the project will include 173 parking stalls, 650 sq ft of commercial space and is pursuing WEDA tax credits; worker advocates raised past unpaid‑wage concerns tied to a subcontractor, and the developer described steps taken to address them.
The Madison Plan Commission on Feb. 16 approved a conditional use to allow construction of a six‑story mixed‑use building at 437 S. Yellowstone Drive, permitting 130 dwelling units and 650 square feet of commercial space. The vote was recorded as unanimous after commissioners found the applicable standards of approval, including Standard 11, were met.
Planner Colin Putt told the commission the SE zoning district generally allows buildings up to five stories and 68 feet, and that the commission must explicitly find standards are satisfied to grant height in excess of the district maximum. Staff’s report noted the West Area Plan and recent nearby six‑story projects as context and recommended conditions tied to design changes that could affect final height.
Developer MSP Real Estate representatives described the project, branded “Odana Heights,” as an age‑ and income‑restricted affordable senior building. MSP’s Tom Denaway said the proposal includes 130 units (a mix of one‑ and two‑bedrooms), 650 square feet of commercial space on the southwest corner, and 173 parking stalls (about 1.33 stalls per unit). Denaway told the commission the project is in the WEDA tax credit process and has been awarded funds from the City of Madison Affordable Housing Fund; he estimated the earliest construction start date as January 2027 if tax credits and approvals proceed.
Architect Ray White outlined site and building design elements: a C‑shaped building with a south‑facing landscaped roof terrace, interior and basement parking, bike parking and storage, balconies for units, and a ground‑floor lobby and commercial entry. The design includes flood‑risk mitigation measures and a reduction in impervious surface compared with the existing site, MSP said.
During public comment, David Ortiz of Worker Justice Wisconsin said his organization was neither supporting nor opposing the conditional use but wanted the commission to be aware of prior labor issues on an MSP site. Ortiz said MSP’s subcontractor chain on a previous project left workers unpaid and that after direct action “the workers were able to recuperate the vast majority of their wages.” Fernando, an affected worker, described multi‑week delays in pay and partial payments that caused financial hardship.
Tom Denaway responded that the unpaid‑wage problem arose at a third‑party subcontractor of a drywall contractor. “The second we were made aware of this by the employees and by the Justice Group, we took immediate action to work … to ensure that everyone was paid as quickly and as efficiently as possible in order to rectify the situation,” Denaway said. He added MSP has implemented proactive steps for future projects, including on‑site construction director oversight and better tracking of second‑ and third‑tier subcontractors to verify workers are being paid.
Commissioners questioned MSP’s larger‑than‑typical parking provision in a transit‑oriented development overlay. MSP said the higher parking count was an internal decision to prevent overflow street parking and noted that unbundling parking (charging separately) is common in tax credit projects because it affects the eligible basis for credits and rent limits. Staff noted the TOD overlay contains a maximum of 1.5 spaces per unit and that MSP’s proposal (1.33) is zoning‑compliant.
Commissioners also asked about neighborhood outreach; staff said a neighborhood meeting requirement was waived due to low attendance at prior meetings for MSP’s earlier developments. After discussion and supportive remarks emphasizing the shortage of affordable senior housing in District 19, Alder (transcript: Ugar) moved to approve the conditional use with findings referring to Standard 11, Alder Glenn seconded, and the commission approved the request unanimously.
The approval is subject to the recommended conditions from reviewing agencies and the project’s completion of the WEDA tax credit process and other permitting steps. The developer said it will continue coordination with staff and neighbors as design details are finalized.
