Developer presents Heyday plan for North Madison and Easy; trustees press on sidewalks, utilities and storm shelter planning

Heyday representatives presented a detailed site and design proposal for the Heyday development at the northeast corner of Madison and Easy Street and asked the Waunakee Village Board to continue negotiations toward a development agreement.

Lauren, the developer representative, said the project covers roughly 50 acres, with about 33 acres for multifamily housing (150 units: 114 single‑story and 36 townhomes) and the remainder for roughly 50 single‑family lots to be built by Tim O'Brien Homes. The plan includes approximately 20 acres of open green space, a 0.59‑acre pocket park, on‑site stormwater detention and designated wetland parcels to the north and southwest.

"We're committed to dedicating the wetland parcel to the village at zero cost," Lauren said, and she outlined existing commitments: a fee‑in‑lieu of parkland dedication of $337,000 and $517,000 in parkland improvement fees (the latter split between Heyday and Tim O'Brien Homes).

Lauren also described infrastructure costs: directional boring to bring sanitary utilities to the site (about 1,200 ft, estimated ~$200,000), upsizing water and sewer within the development footprint ($856,000), and upsizing a lift station ($155,000). She proposed a recapture agreement so future developments that use upsized utilities would share costs.

Trustees asked detailed follow‑up questions. After the meeting returned from a closed session, trustees sought assurance about basements and storm readiness; the developer confirmed multifamily units on pads would not have basements and single‑family homes would. Trustees also repeatedly pressed for sidewalks on both sides of private streets and safer pedestrian access to the multi‑use path and Northridge Park. Lauren said widening streets to meet a 32‑foot village code requirement (from an original 24 ft in the developer's plan) increased the right‑of‑way, and adding a second sidewalk could require losing units unless engineering adjustments were made.

Staff noted that street width is specified in village code and suggested staff and fire could examine whether a reduced public‑street width could be approved if maneuverability and emergency access are demonstrated. Trustee Nyla Fry emphasized sidewalks' accessibility and safety benefits for children and residents with mobility needs.

The board voted to go into closed session to continue negotiations under the authority cited in the meeting (transcript references "Wisconsin statute 19.851E"). Staff said the plan commission will review the preliminary plat and GDP for rezoning on Monday and the village board will consider rezoning, GDP, plat, and a development agreement at a subsequent meeting.

The board's discussion focused on design tradeoffs — street widths, sidewalks on both sides, guest parking and emergency access — and on financial commitments the developer is offering in parkland fees and utility upsizing with proposed recapture mechanisms.