Madison BZA approves telecom tower, campgrounds and short‑term rental; tables several variances

MADISON — The Madison Board of Zoning Appeals on Feb. 9 approved several conditional uses and permits, including a telecommunications tower intended to close cellular coverage gaps, a campground/glamping operation and a downtown short‑term rental, while tabling multiple variances and a sign application.

Telecommunications tower: The board approved a conditional‑use special exception for a telecom tower proposed by Tagg Towers and represented by Chagley Tower Consultants. Presenter Fred Lau said the project was reduced to a 195‑foot structure (plus a 4‑foot lightning rod) to address an airport overlay and supplied an FAA "no hazard" determination and an engineering fall‑radius letter. The board approved the application for a 30‑year period after finding the proposal met the criteria for relay towers; staff and the applicant discussed the capacity for municipal repeaters and routine, low‑frequency maintenance.

Home‑occupation nail salon: Christy and Mark Haye requested a category 111 home‑occupation to operate a one‑chair nail salon from an accessory garage. Staff and board members noted the current ordinance requires a home occupation to be within the dwelling, but the forthcoming unified development ordinance (UDO) would allow accessory structures. The board approved a one‑year conditional use subject to hours 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., one client at a time and a short‑term two‑car limit, and conditioned renewal on adoption of the new zoning ordinance.

Campground / glamping: Mark and Angela Fuller presented a proposal for an owner‑occupied campground with two short‑term rental structures, six primitive tent sites and shared bathroom facilities. After discussing fire access and site circulation the board approved the one‑year conditional use with conditions limiting cars to a maximum of 10, banning fireworks and recreational vehicles, and requiring adherence to the submitted rules.

Short‑term rental (Airbnb): Kevin Mason asked to operate a 3‑bedroom short‑term rental at 506 Jefferson Street. The board approved a one‑year conditional use subject to quiet hours 10 p.m.–9 a.m., a maximum of eight guests, no outdoor music or parties and a requirement to install rear parking from the alley within one year.

Administrative items: The board approved minutes, several routine renewals and a residential shed variance earlier in the meeting. The board tabled a 0‑foot setback variance for 520 West Street and a 4x12 sign variance because applicants were not present or notices/receipts were incomplete. The meeting ended after adjournment motions.

Votes at a glance: telecom tower (VZCU‑25‑29) — approved for 30 years; home‑occupation nail salon (BZCU‑25‑27) — approved with hours and parking conditions; campground (VZCU‑26‑01) — approved one year with conditions; short‑term rental (BZCU‑26‑02) — approved one year with quiet‑hours and parking conditions; several variances and one sign application — tabled to next meeting.