City officials approve Brooks Street apartment proposal

A city design commission granted final approval Wednesday for a proposed five-story apartment building, although a university planning official said it conflicts with future campus expansion plans.

The proposed 14-unit apartment complex would be located at 202 and 206 N. Brooks St. near UW-Madisons Educational Sciences building and would target student renters.

UW-Madison Facilities Planning and Management Director Gary Brown said the area should be used for academic and research facilities as outlined in the Campus Master Plan, which is a construction planning guide for the university.

In addition, Brown said the design violated guidelines which call for the building to be set at least 10 feet from the street.

Brown also said the university continues to oppose the project because it does not follow the neighborhood plan.

Despite the universitys disapproval, commission members decided the Campus Master Plan includes planning guidelines rather than strict rules for future construction projects.

The commission decided to grant final approval of the project at Wednesdays meeting and said the design would be consistent with other buildings in the neighborhood.

Being this close in vicinity to the campus, I feel like this would be a great project for students, said Ald. Scott Resnick, District 8. I see it fitting into context with the development of the neighborhood its in.

At the same meeting, developers introduced plans for a 65-unit apartment building with a design complimentary to Union South at 1323 W. Dayton St.

Read more here:
City officials approve Brooks Street apartment proposal