Members of the city’s Plan Commission considered changes to the language of an existing shoreline zoning ordinance at a meeting Thursday, which could have implications for the Edgewater Hotel proposal and other future buildings on the lake.

The change in language, proposed by Ald. Mark Clear, District 19, would mandate a minimum 25-foot setback, or minimum distance from the high water mark, for waterfront properties built against Lake Monona, Lake Mendota and other area lakes.

Under the currently proposed change, commercial properties would not be subject to the 25-foot restriction. Members of the commission said they may also add language restricting commercial properties to avoid legal confusion.

Matt Tucker, the city’s Zoning Administrator, told the commission the current waterfront development standards were made to protect historic lakefront houses in the 1970s. He said Madison’s increasingly urban character may be problematic for city officials.

“The challenge to you folks is to recognize how an urbanized area can fit in with waterfront development standards,” Tucker said.

Members of the commission also addressed concerns about the proposed Edgewater Hotel redevelopment.

Don Sanford, who gives historic tours of the Lake Mendota area, said the natural lakefront of Mendota should be preserved to avoid what he says is a harsh feel on Lake Monona with its building-heavy landscape.

Sanford showed the commission photographs of the two different lakefronts and said the Mendota lakefront has a more residential, natural feel. He said the proposed Edgewater changes threaten the current nature of the Mendota lakeshore because it could open the door for other lakeside urban developments.

“We have a very special resource here,” Sanford said. “Once we change it, we can never change it back.”

Fred Mohs, member of the Mansion Hill Steering Committee, said he too was concerned about the zoning changes. He warned against spot zoning and said he does not want his own property to be zoned commercial.

“Nobody has said to this point that we need more commercial [development] on Lake Mendota,” Mohs said. “To think that we need now to invite commercial in with a special dispensation to build theoretically out to the shore doesn’t fly.”

Mohs added it was hypocritical to consider possibly environmentally harmful developments along the lake while other city and county officials are trying to keep the Yahara River healthy through runoff limitations on area farmers.

Members of the commission said the environmental and aesthetic effects of lakeside redevelopments must be considered. They said it is possible to have hardscape urban developments that can become beautiful, iconic city symbols.

Some commission members mentioned the Memorial Union Terrace as an example of a lakeside development that does not include much natural landscaping, but still has become a destination known for its natural beauty.

Members agreed new lakeside redevelopments should include space to walk and enjoy the lakeside similar to that offered by the Terrace.

The commission did not make any recommendation decisions at Thursday’s meeting. They will meet again to make recommendations regarding the Edgewater redevelopment and affiliated ordinances at a public meeting Feb. 8.