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Waunakee CDA weighs creating local land trust versus partnering with Madison-area CLT
Summary
Following a presentation from the Madison-area Community Land Trust (MACLT), the Waunakee CDA debated whether to partner with MACLT or create its own local community land trust, with trustees proposing a pros-and-cons analysis, business outreach and possibly hiring a part-time coordinator.
After viewing a presentation from the Madison-area Community Land Trust, the Waunakee Community Development Authority discussed options for securing permanently affordable ownership housing in the village and debated whether to partner with MACLT or create a local community land trust.
A trustee argued for hiring a part-time staffer to establish a local land trust and actively solicit developable lots, saying a dedicated person "would be their responsibility" to drive the effort. The trustee framed the land trust as a 501(c)(3) vehicle focused on ownership units rather than rental programs and emphasized workforce housing for local workers.
Other trustees said partnering with Madison’s CLT could move projects faster and avoid some operational pitfalls, but they also raised questions about local control and optics if large sums of Waunakee taxpayer money were given to an outside organization. One trustee noted, "I believe we now have 1000000 dollars plus in the piggy bank under this program," and said the committee should be prepared to explain the use of funds to local taxpayers.
Staff recommended assembling a development example and a clear partnership agreement to spell out roles, price levels and deliverables; trustees also suggested surveying local businesses and employees—Extension offered to assist with that survey—to identify underlying barriers to local workforce housing and build private-sector buy-in for fundraising or developer partnerships.
The committee asked staff to prepare a pros-and-cons list comparing partnering with Madison CLT and creating a local CLT, to explore potential fundraising strategies, to begin outreach to businesses and developers, and to return with concrete next steps at a future CDA meeting.
