Madison City Council members show deference to colleagues on routine matters. Council members can be expected to know what’s right for their own districts.
But when matters have city-wide implications, every member should make an independent decision.
Here are recent examples of decisions that shouldn’t hinge on the opinion of a single City Council member:
- The Old Spring Tavern on Nakoma Road is a historic landmark at risk of being overwhelmed by an oversized house. The Landmarks Commission approved the building plan despite strong objections from the Madison Trust for Historic Preservation and nearby neighbors. When an appeal reaches the City Council, each member should decide individually. Historic preservation is a city-wide issue in a city fast losing its charm and sense of history.
- Sauk Creek Greenway on the city’s West Side is an endangered natural area, one of the few remaining forested green spaces in Madison. It helps mitigate the effects of climate change and provides habitat for birds and animals. City planners want to route an unnecessary mile-long bike path through the greenway, despite bike lanes on two nearby streets. Green space is vanishing all over Madison, and heat islands are growing. The greenway is a city-wide issue.
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Please, City Council members, consider these decisions anew.
