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FACT BRIEF

Did the Mayor of Madison, Wisconsin sponsor zoning changes in historic districts?

By Erin Gretzinger
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NO

Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway sponsored a proposal for a transit-oriented development overlay district, but withdrew it after local historic districts were added to the plan. 

Transit-oriented development, also known as TOD, aims to create higher-density housing and pedestrian-oriented development centered around transit systems. The city began formally collecting public feedback on a possible TOD overlay zoning district in May 2022. 

Rhodes-Conway supported the overlay until it added three of Madison's historic districts, which have specific standards designed to preserve their character. The City Council passed the proposal including the historic districts. Rhodes-Conway said she still supports the overlay, noting it is in the city's "best interest."

She told the Cap Times she withdrew her sponsorship because, “I don't want to do anything that jeopardizes us ... getting that good policy passed.” 

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
The Cap Times Madison housing debate heats up over higher density near bus lines
City of Madison Transit-Oriented Development
City of Madison City Creating Transit-Oriented Development Zoning
City of Madison Transit Oriented Development Overlay District
City of Madison Local Historic Districts
Wisconsin State Journal New transit-oriented zoning rules to include historic districts after Madison City Council vote
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Wisconsin Watch, the news arm of the nonpartisan, nonprofit Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, increases the quality and quantity of investigative reporting in Wisconsin, while training current and future investigative journalists. Its work fosters an informed citizenry and strengthens democracy.
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Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.