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Middleton committee keeps original TID maps, seeks language to protect conservancy lands
Summary
The Finance & Personnel Committee directed staff to proceed with originally proposed maps for Tax Incremental Districts 7 and 8 while adding project-plan language to limit improvements on lands designated as conservancy; staff warned changing zoning and comp‑plan designations in time for the TID filing would be tight.
The Middleton Finance & Personnel Committee on May 19 instructed staff to proceed with the originally proposed maps for Tax Incremental Districts 7 and 8, while including language in the draft project plans intended to protect areas designated as conservancy.
Abby, the staff lead on the TID project, told the committee that one city-owned parcel currently zoned institutional would need a comp‑plan amendment, rezoning and a conditional-use permit to be reclassified as conservancy, and that completing all of that before the TID filing deadline would be "very, very tight." She said the utility infrastructure on that parcel is scheduled for replacement or upgrades in 2030 and recommended determining the potential future footprint before any permitting process.
Bill, the finance director, put the valuation choices in context: "with the closure of TID 3... we're estimating that we'll be at about 6% of the value of the city within TIFF districts," easing immediate pressure under the 12% statutory limit but noting the city still has financial planning constraints.
Staff presented three paths: (1) pursue a comp‑plan amendment, rezoning and subdivision so the city-owned parcel can be included as conservancy in the TID (time‑consuming and legally involved); (2) add the Lyon property to gain contiguity, which would add roughly $1.8 million in assessed value; or (3) exclude certain institutional parcels from the TID. Staff recommended keeping the original maps to preserve the most redevelopment flexibility and to include project-plan language restricting improvements in conservancy lands to low-impact items such as paths or benches.
Committee members said they preferred the approach that preserves conservancy protections while retaining funding flexibility. One member said the project plan "does not obligate the city to make any improvements at all," and staff confirmed that project-plan language could state limitations for conservancy-designated lands.
The committee gave direction to prepare the draft project plans and to include protective language for conservancy areas. The item moves next to the June organizational meeting for TID 7 and TID 8 work and the council agenda for formal consideration.
