Middleton committee walks through state "housing ready" checklist; zoning changes and CDA options discussed

City staff and workforce housing committee members walked through a Wisconsin “housing ready” checklist to assess local readiness for workforce and affordable housing development.

Daphne, a city staff member, told the committee the city updated its comprehensive plan in 2023 but does not have a recent housing needs assessment or an annually updated affordability analysis. "Technically, no," she said about having a current needs assessment, adding the city relied on older studies and census-based mapping tools.

Committee discussion touched on zoning updates that permit multifamily uses in downtown and certain districts, accessory dwelling units and parking-waiver flexibility via plan commission. Staff said they will explore adding a traditional neighborhood development ordinance back into local code after consulting the city attorney.

Members discussed policy tools to scale housing production and preserve affordability, including expanding the Community Development Authority’s role, using TIF (tax increment financing) extension funds or establishing a housing trust fund. One member cited Madison’s CDA and land-trust strategies as models for a pipeline approach that can preserve long-term affordability.

Daphne proposed moving the next meeting to April 29 so the committee can hear presentations from the Madison Area Community Land Trust, the Wisconsin Housing Alliance and a UW housing expert.

What’s next: Staff will circulate the checklist link, consider updates requested by members (including better online inventories of development-ready parcels and a developer checklist), and follow up on legal advice about required ordinances and potential CDA authority changes.