Please give to The Capital Times Kids Fund.

Neighbors cry 'flip-flop' after panel OKs 2 Sequoya Commons entrances

Mike Ivey  —  8/19/2008 7:08 am

Upon further review, the Madison Plan Commission has approved a dual-entrance plan for a new 100-unit apartment building at Sequoya Commons -- a move that earned west side Ald. Tim Gruber a rubber "flip-flop" sandal from an angry constituent.

Two weeks ago, the panel had voted unanimously to put the entrance on busy Midvale Boulevard rather than on Caromar Drive, a narrow residential street.

But Monday night, the panel changed its mind at the urging of Gruber and voted 4-3 for a dual plan favored by the developers.

"I'm trying to look at the bigger picture and the fact I represent an area a lot bigger than just Westmorland," said Gruber, who went against the wishes of many in the neighborhood he represents.

For months, residents have been fighting the $20 million Phase 2 of Sequoya Commons, the ambitious redevelopment of the former Midvale Plaza shopping center into a mix of housing and retail and a new branch library. The project is headed by Madison developer Joe Krupp and a group that includes the family of pro golfer Jerry Kelly.

Much of the opposition has centered on the proposed entrance for the underground parking garage on Caromar Drive, a shady residential street of modest ranch homes.

But Krupp told the panel Monday that a single entrance on Midvale would force removal of a rain garden to capture stormwater from the four-story apartment. He added that having two entrances would make life easier for residents in the new building.

"We need to consider the quality of life for future residents, not just the neighbors there now," Krupp said.

City transportation planner Dan McCormick lent support to the dual entrance plan by noting it would disperse traffic better than a single entrance.

However, neighbors who have attended numerous meetings on the project were not happy with the turn of events. Westmorland resident Anna Strenski even presented Gruber with a rubber sandal after she spoke.

"This is for his flip-flop ability and for not representing the wishes of the neighborhood he represents," she said.

That display later drew a rebuff from commission member Michael Heifetz.

"At some point we need to put aside the venom in all this and think in the best interests of the city," he said.

Phase 1 of Sequoya Commons at the corner of Midvale and Tokay boulevards includes a new Sequoya branch library and 28,000 square feet of retail space, with 45 condominium units on the upper floors. Phase 2 calls for 100 rental apartment units with 136 underground parking spaces and 10,650 square feet of retail space.

From the beginning, however, residents voiced concerns over traffic, parking and the changing nature of their neighborhood. Many already walk to the shopping center via Caromar, as do children attending nearby Midvale Elementary.

Resident Mike Bell said the bottom-line issue is that the site just isn't large enough for everything proposed.

"All of the problems stem from there," he said.

But project partner Scott Kelly said the neighbors were being selfish in forcing new residents to only use Midvale Boulevard to access their apartment homes.

"I'm afraid only one side of this has been heard," he said.

East side Ald. Lauren Cnare helped craft a compromise that requires the developers to keep the Midvale Boulevard entrance open 24-7. That is designed to reduce problems during winter weather driving.

"These guys are a smart development team," she said. "They can figure out how to make that happen."

Still, commission member Michael Basford was not convinced and voted against the dual entrance plan.

"This isn't a compromise," he said. "It's what the neighbors have consistently raised concerns about."

The City Council could overturn the Plan Commission recommendation but has historically sided with the commission on zoning and land use matters.

Also Monday night, the commission:

* Approved a permit for construction of the six-story, 136-room Aloft Hotel at 822 John Nolen Drive. It also approved an adjacent one-story Fratello's Waterfront Restaurant & Brewery with outdoor seating.

The four-acre site sits on Lake Monona, with the Wisconsin & Southern railroad tracks separating it from the water. The Supple Group of Oshkosh is developing the project.

* Approved a new two-story 42,000-square-foot building for Gold's Gym at 5110 High Crossing Road on the far east side. The site was formerly home to the Young America motorsports complex, which operated more recently as Mad City Power Sports.

* Approved a conditional use permit for the Madnet Cybercafe at 449 State St., the triangular corner of State, Gilman and Broom streets. The 2,000-square-foot space would provide access to computers and gaming consoles. It would be open until 2 a.m. on weekends.

Mike Ivey  —  8/19/2008 7:08 am