Fitchburg, Wisconsin CEDA and Housing Commission Joint Meeting Summary – December 4, 2025

The Community and Economic Development Authority (CEDA) Committee met jointly with the Housing Commission on December 4, 2025, with Chair Mark Hamilton presiding. A quorum was present; new CEDA member Jake Lepper was out of town and will join in January. The meeting included a consultant housing study update, a hotel room tax report and funding request, and economic development committee reports.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the September 25, 2025 meeting minutes by voice vote, on a motion by Alder Sanders seconded by Alder Maldonado.
• No public appearances were made for non-agenda items, and no resolutions or ordinances were presented.

Housing Study Update

• Kristen Fish Peterson and Dana of Redevelopment Resources presented the third housing study update. The study covers Fitchburg's jurisdictional boundaries and compares the city with Verona, Oregon, Middleton, Sun Prairie, Waunakee, DeForest, and McFarland.
• Demographic highlights: approximately 15% of residents are in the oldest age cohorts, and 7% of residents 65 or older are single heads of household living alone. Single householders make up 49.1% of households.
• Housing market findings: Fitchburg's owner/renter split is most comparable to Madison and Middleton. Affordability analysis used HUD fair market rents, National Low Income Housing Coalition income estimates, and Bureau of Labor Statistics occupation data. Consultants described limited inventory across income brackets and a 'housing squeeze' that can make households cost-burdened.
• Demand forecast: consultants projected demand for 775 rental units and about 1,205 owner-occupied units over five years, or roughly 241 owner-occupied units per year. They described the estimate as more Fitchburg-specific than the Dane County regional study because it accounts for local land constraints and opportunities.
• Recommendations were organized around four goals: preserve and improve existing housing stock and support homeownership; expand housing supply and strategic land readiness; promote equitable access and prevent displacement; and strengthen collaboration, data tracking, and implementation capacity. Specific proposed tools included homeowner rehabilitation and rental rehab programs, down payment assistance, housing stability funding, missing-middle housing incentives, land banking, pre-approved development plans, transit-oriented development, employer-assisted housing, and an annual housing dashboard.
• In discussion, the economic development director said the city has about $2 million identified for possible land banking and is exploring partnerships with Habitat for Humanity, a community land trust, or other entities; staff capacity and expertise remain key questions. The only notable city-owned parcel currently discussed is a sod farm west of Highway 14.

Room Tax Report and Funding Request

• Third-quarter room tax collections came in at $179,057, just shy of an 11% increase over the prior year. Concerts at Camp Randall were cited as a factor, while the broader market remains flat. The new 100-room Spring Hill Suites on Nesbitt Road is expected to open in late December or January.
• The committee approved a $3,500 room tax request from the Chamber to support the Get Festive holiday event on December 12. Last year's support was $5,000.

Economic Development and Committee Reports

• Mike reported on recent publicity for The Hub and the police facility construction, the November 20 Forward Fitchburg City in Motion kickoff, and a January 15 strategy team meeting. He cited Fitchburg's ranking as most efficient in moving projects through the development entitlement pipeline, e-plan permit turnaround of 15 to 20 days, and expanded online permitting.
• UW Health broke ground on a 40-bed rehabilitation hospital in Uptown Fitchburg.
• Four TIF requests are being processed: General Beverage warehouse expansion off Cottonwood Drive; Oak Ridge senior housing on Nesbitt Road; redevelopment of the UPS store property at 2917 Fish Hatchery Road, possibly including 11 to 14 apartments; and Fairchild Group's clean fill site project between Highway 14 and M, with approximately 325 multifamily rental units, 20 townhome units, 34 single-family lots, and a proposed 119-unit Trilogy Health Services continuum-of-care facility.
• Staff also discussed continuing work on Jamestown Quarry, an upcoming council consideration for a second Texas-wrap multifamily building, the efficiency navigator program, a November 13 funders forum on down payment assistance with more than 30 attendees, and upcoming events including Gigi's Playhouse groundbreaking and recognition of Chamber leader Angela Kinderman.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the September 25, 2025 minutes.
• Approved the $3,500 Get Festive room tax request.
• Consultant feedback is due by December 19, with the final housing study to be presented to the City Council in January.
• The hotel room tax rate will increase from 7% to 8% effective January 1, 2026, as part of the 2026 budget.
• Mike was recognized for his 30th year as economic development director.
• The next CEDA meeting is scheduled for January 22.