Inclusionary Zoning Law Faces Repeal and Rewrite in Madison

Strategic Insights -

The Madison City Council is on the brink of a full-blown debate over the city's inclusionary zoning law, which requires developers to include some affordable housing in most new construction. The law has been in place since 2003, but it faces opposition from a real estate group that says it "fails to work at numerous levels." A slate of changes to the law is competing with calls for its outright repeal, but neither approach has a majority on the council yet. Amidst the debate, Mayor Paul Soglin has proposed a package of improvements to the ordinance, which he hopes will be given a fair hearing.

Key Takeaways:

  • The inclusionary zoning law in Madison requires developers to include some affordable housing in most new construction, but it faces opposition from a real estate group that says it is not working effectively.
  • Smart Growth Madison, a group of real estate interests, had initially supported the law but now says it is not achieving its goals of promoting neighborhood economic integration and providing affordable housing for working families.
  • The law's provisions governing rental housing are forcing people living in affordable units to select roommates based on financial status, and the group claims that promised "off-sets" to developers have not materialized.
  • The first housing built under the law is reaching the market, with 50 units available and six sold so far to a nonprofit organization.
  • Ald. Brenda Konkel, who played a key role in crafting the original law, expressed disappointment at Smart Growth's decision to remove itself from the table and compromise on revisions.
  • Mayor Soglin's proposed package of improvements to the ordinance includes revising the law's provisions governing rental housing and revising the "off-sets" promised to developers.

Statistics:

  • 50 units are currently available under the inclusionary zoning law, and six have been sold so far to a nonprofit organization.
  • The law has been in place since 2003.
  • The mayor's proposed package of improvements to the ordinance is expected to be given a fair hearing by the City Council.

Sources:

  • "City Council considers changing, possibly repealing inclusionary zoning law" by Lee Sensenbrenner, The Capital Times
  • Smart Growth Madison press release (no date)