According to the Wisconsin State Journal, the Madison City Council on Tuesday refused a rezoning for a 12-story housing development by Chicago-based Core Spaces, citing a lack of low-cost units. The 13–6 council vote, with one member excused, followed a heated debate regarding affordability.
The move has stirred controversy, countering prior Plan Commission recommendations, and some in the development community have warned that forcing low-cost units discourage other potential projects or even violate state law.
Core Spaces’ proposed development would raze 10 residential buildings for a project with 232 market-rate housing units on the 200 block of North Bassett Street and the 400 block of West Dayton and Johnson streets.
The developer withdrew an application for an informational presentation — set to be made to the city’s Urban Design Commission next week — on a separate 14-story student housing project with around 400 apartments, including lower-cost units.
