A Madison police officer was scheduled to attend the monthly Bassett Neighborhood Meeting to present on the recent Tony Robinson case. However, the officer did not attend.
“[Madison Police Department is] busy with everything going on and the potential of protests popping up,” Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said. “They need staffing for escorting protesters through the areas, so unfortunately they weren’t here.”
Instead, the committee members discussed tax incremental financing policies, as well as the recently approved tax incremental district, which includes both the Anchor Bank redevelopment and the AT&T building at 316 West Washington Ave.
TIF is a public financing method that is used as a subsidy for redevelopment, infrastructure and other community-improvement projects.
Residents were skeptical of the costs of the proposal and how much money the city provided to developers.
Cliff Fisher, a Madison resident, questioned how TIF policies are carried out.
“I don’t see where they need TIF,” Fisher said. “Who checks your numbers out?”
Later in the meeting, Delta Properties proposed to rezone its 633 West Main St. and 624 West Doty St. properties.
John Koffel, a Delta properties director, discussed the company’s interest in rezoning these separate parcels and requested sponsorship from both Verveer and approval from the residents.
“Delta can apply on their own for rezoning,” Verveer said. “They are going through a process as a mapping error with zoning text amendments sponsored by the alder of the district.”
Verveer concluded his sponsorship was unnecessary because the plans could not be put through without the consent of the City Council and Planning Commission, which would oversee any drafting errors.
“There’s no way this property can be turned into residential property,” resident Rosemary Lee said. “It’s not suitable.”
The committee members did not reach a consensus due to concerns residents raised about using the land for residential use rather than for commercial use, which they said could potentially ruin the neighborhood’s vitality.
A prior misquote has been corrected. The Daily Cardinal regrets this error.
