City urges residents to review West Side Master Plan

City planners hope that residents will review and comment on the draft of the West Side Master Plan by Aug. 12. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – City officials are urging residents to review the draft of the West Side Master Plan. Deadline for comments is Aug. 12 at 5 p.m.

“The West Side Master Plan will serve as a blueprint for future growth and decision-making. It is important to hear from residents, property owners and businesses so that the west side area develops in a way that serves the needs of the community,” Mary Beth Broeren said.

Broeren works as Director of Planning and Economic Development for the City of Madison.

“We have the draft plan out for public review and comment through Aug 12,” Broeren said.

To view the plan online or to download it, visit westsidemasterplan.businesscatalyst.com.

The 173-page document has extensive sections of narrative explanations, photographs, charts and maps. Roads, parks, schools, neighborhood and greenways are some components covered in the master plan.

Recently, city leaders held public meetings on July 20 and July 21 to allow people to review the draft plan and meet with staff and the city’s consultant. “We then launched the public review period,” Broeren said.

“We will have a work session with City Council on Aug. 16 and expect to bring the draft plan to the Planning Commission in September,” Broeren said.

“The city held public outreach meetings in the fall of 2015 when it kicked off this planning effort. Comments received then were used to guide development of the draft plan,” Broeren said. “The city looks forward to receiving feedback on the completed draft prior to its adoption.”

Residents can submit comments by email to madplansfeedback@madisonal.gov. Individuals also can type the text directly in the email message or attach a Word document or PDF with comments.

In addition, residents can deliver comments in person to Madison Planning Department in the lower level of City Hall, 100 Hughes Road.