The Madison Common Council approved a high-rise on the 700 block of Williamson Street on Tuesday.
The city’s Plan Commission had signed off on the project, prompting Ald. Marsha Rummel, District 6, to appeal that decision, hoping to block the high-rise from going up.
The project, a multi-use building with apartments and commercial space, will be been on 706 Williamson St. in Rummel’s district.
But the council refused Rummel’s appeal, paving the way for the project to move forward.
Peter Wolf, who lives in the neighborhood, told council members that high-rises can mix with some parts of Madison — but not near Willy Street.
Ald. Anita Weier, District 18, criticized the building proposal and said the city must pay attention to neighborhood’s wishes rather than gaining “more cookie-cutter high-rise apartments.”
Chris Kelley, the city’s street superintendent, also highlighted the possible construction of a biodigester, pending the state’s approval in the next biennial budget.
“We don’t know what will happen until we move forward,” Kelley said.
The council also discussed a waste management pilot program that Madison is currently negotiating with the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
Madison Mayor Paul Soglin expressed support for the program and said he hopes it “fits in overall in our sustainability plan.”
Kelley emphasized that UW-Oshkosh is the only site that could offer the kinds of waste management services that the city requires, making the 2017 renewal of the contract important, he said.
The council will meet again on October 7.
Correction: Due to an editing error, this story and headline originally said the Common Council blocked the Williamson Street project. Both have been updated to reflect the council approved the project.