Local

Thu
19
Oct
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Plan Commission Reviews Zoning Draft, Sets Public Hearing

MIDDLETON–The City of Middleton Plan Commission reviewed the latest changes to the draft zoning ordinance, which will overhaul the existing zoning codes when adopted. A public hearing for the ordinance rewrite is set for the Nov. 14 plan commission meeting.

City Planner and Zoning Administrator Mark Opitz reviewed the changes starting with single family zoning districts. Opitz presented three options: option one would add duplexes and two-flats as conditional uses in areas zoned single family residential; option two would add duplexes and two-flats as permitted uses in single family zoning; and option three would expand areas on the zoning map where the two-family zoning districts are applied.

Opitz said the conditional use option is problematic and staff do not recommend the third option because it does not align with the goals of the zoning ordinance rewrite.

Thu
19
Oct
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Driver Rams Hardware Store, Hits Pedestrian & Car

MIDDLETON–Middleton Police Department (MIPD) officers responded to a call last week that left a building damaged, a pedestrian injured and the suspect in the hospital.

Police were called to the Ace Hardware at 2540 Allen Blvd. at 7:18 p.m. on Oct. 11 for a car that had driven into the building. Upon arrival officers discovered the driver had intentionally rammed the vehicle into the building and was stealing items.

The driver then pulled the vehicle out of the building and fled the scene. In the process the suspect hit a pedestrian and then another vehicle. The pedestrian was taken to the hospital with minor injuries and released.

Police disabled the vehicle a few blocks away, but the driver refused to get out. MIPD requested assistance from Madison Police Department and the Dane County Sheriff’s Department, including a negotiator.

Fri
06
Oct
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Town Denies Dog Kennel Request for Third Time

TOWN OF MIDDLETON–The third time wasn’t a charm for a family that wants to convert their horse stabling business to a kennel for 100 dogs.

The Town of Middleton Board voted 4-1 Monday to deny a conditional-use permit to Dan and Marlene La Fleur, of 3440 Meadow Rd. It was the third denial the couple received from the board since May.

The La Fleur’s 15-acre property has operated as a “world-class” horse training and boarding facility since 2001 and is largely undeveloped on three sides, said their attorney, Andrew Weininger.

Since the board’s last denial, the La Fleurs eliminated outdoor dog runs from their proposal and will keep the dogs inside a 20,000-square-foot former horse barn.

A recently commissioned sound study concluded that a recording of dogs barking at a 116-decibel level inside the barn couldn’t be heard above the ambient noise at the edge of the property, according to Justin Bowers, an audio consultant.

Fri
06
Oct
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Plan Commission Approves Recommended Changes to Comprehensive Plan Amendment

MIDDLETON–The City of Middleton Plan Commission approved changes recommended by other city committees to the proposed second amendment to the city’s comprehensive plan. The plan commission did not take action on a change affecting the land designation at 2159 Allen Blvd. 

The proposed second amendment would be the first full revision to the comprehensive plan since it was adopted in 2021. The revision fulfills the intent to annually review and update the plan as a living document.

Fri
29
Sep
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Board Discusses Mowing Needs, Budget

CROSS PLAINS–After years of getting below-market rates for mowing grass in village parks and other public areas, that service became a $112,000 expense this year.

The village board has been comparing doing the work with public facilities department staff versus contractors, but it didn’t reach a decision at Monday’s meeting.

Chad Rickman, of Rickman Snow Removal and Lawn Care, submitted the lowest bid of the three proposals the village received last week. However, at $96,743 for weekly mowing and trimming between April and October, the village may able to do it for $8,000 cheaper with in-house labor.

Finance Director Bobbi Zauner budgeted next year’s mowing expense at $80,000 whether it’s contracted or done in-house.

The village would have to buy mowing equipment, a trailer and possibly add an employee, which can lead to complications, said Cross Plains Village President Jay Lengfeld.

Thu
21
Sep
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Plan Commission Approves Design Review for Future Foam Expansion

MIDDLETON–The City of Middleton Plan Commission approved a design review submitted by Future Foam to construct a new industrial building at 2314 Parview Rd. The business plans to expand its operations in Middleton adding up to 40 new hourly positions. 

Future Foam is headquartered in Council Bluffs, IA. The company established its business in Omaha, NE in 1958 and now has locations throughout the US and globally. It has had a presence in Middleton since 1977 and currently employs about 150 people. 

Future Foam currently has a building at 2210 Parview Dr. which was extended into 8430 Murphy Dr. around ten years ago. The company manufactures polyurethane foam products for furniture, bedding, and flooring. 

General manager at the Middleton operation, Pete Dahl, said a lot of people are not aware of the company and what it does.

Mon
18
Sep
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Open Houses Held on Proposed Zoning Ordinance Change

MIDDLETON–The City of Middleton Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map have been undergoing an over hall after only seeing minor changes since the 1980s. The city will hold a series of open houses to get community input on the project.

The city is nearing completion of a draft new Zoning Ordinance and is making the initial “working draft” available for review. This summary guide serves to assist interested residents on key questions that may arise during their review of the proposed new Zoning Ordinance and the Zoning Map that will accompany it, according to the city’s website. 

Thu
14
Sep
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CTH M Widening to Begin Next Week

MIDDLETON–Widening of CTH M to four lanes between Oncken and Willow Roads is to begin next week in a $18.4 million state and local project.

The project is greatly reduced in scope from initial plans to widen the road from the CTH Q intersection to Willow Road where CTH M becomes a four-lane route.

“It’s been an ongoing project for years but the results of the environmental process and public (input) determined that the road wouldn’t be widened for the whole stretch,” said Brian Rice, a Dane County Highway Department engineer.

The project components include adding:

• A multi-use trail connecting Gov. Nelson State Park to SH 113

• Resurfacing CTH M from Willow Road to STH 113

• A second left turn lane from CTH K to CTH M

• Adding a bridge over Six Mile Creek, just east of CTH K intersection

• An urban median between traffic lanes from Oncken Road to Willow Road

Thu
14
Sep
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Council Discusses Parks and Public Facility Needs

MIDDLETON–The Middleton Common Council reviewed a draft report regarding parks and public facility needs in the city at their meeting on Sept. 5. As the city continues to grow in population and density, land for parks and public access is becoming more limited. The report will be given a public hearing on Oct. 3 before the council takes any action.

The city worked on the report over the last 18 months to complete a public facility needs assessment, include updates for statutory changes, and provide an analysis of current parkland and improvement needs. The report was prepared by Carla Gogin of Baker Tilly accounting firm.

Thu
14
Sep
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Large Digital Sign May Have to Come Down

MADISON–A huge electronic billboard erected along the Beltline Highway without city permits may have to come down.

According to an Aug. 7 order from Dane County Judge Nia Trammell:

In May 2022, Adams Outdoor Advertising Ltd. installed a two-sided, 48-foot-wide, 14-foot-high digital sign, mounted on a 35-foot-high pedestal just west of Beltline and south of Nursey Drive

Months before, the city declined to grant Adams a sign permit as the property, zoned Planned Development District, doesn’t allow outdoor advertising structures without a variance.

The ordinance allows signs to be displayed on buildings but not signs that aren’t an accessory to the property’s principal use.

Since the Adams’ billboard is a permanent stand-alone structure not associated with the property on which it is built, the city considers it a prohibited off-premises sign.

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