Council considers adding ‘C–5’ zone to  industrial palate

By Tara DeRock Mahoney
Senior Staff Writer

    Madison City Council members considered Monday night a recommendation by staff members to add a fifth commercial zoning classification—C-5.
    The new zone could provide a natural home for more intensive commercial ventures, as well as lighter industrial uses.
    “We see in the C-5… warehouse storage…outdoor storage yards…operations oriented to the working and adult populations…and heavy equipment [vendors],” said Madison Planning Director Monica Callahan. “Repairs, reassembling, repackaging—these type of uses.”
    The potential new zone would likely be located along low-visibility frontage on collector streets, as opposed to arterial roads.
    Staff members asked council to consider the new zone, as well as nine proposed areas that might be re-zoned C-5, and give feedback to city planners.
    “We’re really just asking—are we going down the right road?” said Callahan.
Some areas that could be converted to C-5 lots are located near the Madison airport; along Hanover Street; near the state patrol barracks; and some parts of Amtico Road, among other areas.
    In other city business, council members agreed to budget $24,000 over the next three years to upgrade the city’s Web capabilities to allow on-line payment and access to accounts for city utility customers, among other features.
    A company called emGOVPower, formerly HMS, is expected to provide the new services. The company currently provides utility billing and payroll services to the city.
    “It gives us the capability and flexibility to do more things on-line,” said city manager David Nunn. “It seems to be a move in the right direction, and the way for us to go.”