CETA Committee Meeting - March 26, 2026

The Community and Economic Development Authority (CETA) committee of the City of Fitchburg met on March 26, 2026, to approve the 2026 Comprehensive Housing Study and Action Plan, receive a hotel room tax report, and hear updates on tax increment districts, the Forward Fitchburg economic development strategic plan, and housing programs. The meeting was chaired by a committee member and included staff presentations and public testimony.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes (January 22, 2026): Moved and seconded, passed unanimously by voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Nura Saeed spoke on the housing plan. She expressed support for the plan's goals but identified four gaps: (1) income qualification thresholds (e.g., three times rent) make units unattainable for middle-income earners; (2) new construction prioritizes density over livability (e.g., door swing conflicts, lack of workspaces); (3) mixed-use developments have vacant commercial space because rents are too high for local small businesses (citing O'Calla Springs, vacant since 2023); (4) advertised rents often exclude mandatory fees (parking, internet, utilities), adding hundreds of dollars. She proposed voluntary multi-year affordability commitments, functional livability standards, commercial space attainability, and total cost transparency requirements. She noted plans to stay involved in the upcoming zoning code rewrite.

Discussion Items

• 2026 Comprehensive Housing Study and Action Plan (Resolution R1926): Kristen and Dana from Redevelopment Resources presented the final plan. Outreach included over 30 stakeholder interviews, 675 survey responses (statistically significant non-randomized sample), and multiple community events. Four main goals were outlined: (1) ensure safe, quality, affordable housing; (2) expand housing supply to meet demand; (3) promote equitable access and neighborhood stability; (4) strengthen collaboration and capacity. The plan allocates $10 million from tax increment dollars: $2 million for land banking/acquisition, $2.5 million for down payment assistance, $500,000 for emergency housing stability for senior homeowners, and $1.5 million for low-income tax credit housing. Updates from the housing advisory committee were incorporated. Committee members discussed the plan's scope. Councilmember Dan Hardy questioned whether $10 million is sufficient given the scale of needs, stating "we're trying to build a house with a jeweler's hammer." Staff acknowledged limitations and noted efforts to leverage other programs (e.g., federal home loan bank, WHEDA, Dane County housing fund, new state residential TID legislation). Councilmember Jake asked about missing middle incentives (page 45 of the plan); staff responded that details would be determined through the upcoming zoning code rewrite. Councilmember Jenny Sanders thanked the public speaker and requested her written notes.
• Hotel Room Tax Report (Q4 2025): Mike reported fourth-quarter room tax collections of $119,003, down 5.28% compared to the prior year. Year-to-date total was $543,895 against a budget of $545,000. A future request for approximately $25,000 was previewed for a marketing insert in In Business magazine as part of the Forward Fitchburg plan. Councilmember Hardy asked about an item on the financial statement: "approved but not yet paid Nine Springs neighborhood hub" (bike pump track). Mike said he would follow up.
• Tax Increment District (TID) Updates: Mike provided updates on several TIDs: North Fish Hatchery Road (UPS store new building); TID 11 (Fawcett property) with multifamily, Trilogy Health Services, 40 single-family lots, and 40-50 townhomes; TID 17 (Jamestown Quarry) amendment for retail center with extraordinary costs (undergrounding stormwater, retaining wall, soil removal); TID 18 (quarries) – no amendment needed now as the affordable senior building (80 units) is proceeding without TIF support, while the market-rate phase (100 units) is on hold due to construction costs and interest rates.
• Forward Fitchburg Economic Development Strategic Plan: Mike announced four roundtable topics: centers and identity (creating thriving mixed-use centers without a traditional downtown), innovation economy (industry clusters, AI, data centers), and a developer roundtable to discuss process improvements and commercial space attainability. The developer roundtable will include a panel with a banker, contractor, and real estate broker. Staff noted that Fitchburg has lost two local businesses (Cosa Boutique, Dave's Guitar Shop) due to lack of attainable commercial space.
• Housing Program Updates: Lorreen reported that the Efficiency Navigator program launched with 80 letters sent to property owners (110 properties) focusing on window replacements. A CDBG grant of $600,000 for infrastructure was awarded; an RFP for developers and a compliance consultant is being prepared. Land banking efforts include the sod farm property. Down payment assistance program RFP is being drafted. The city applied for the Housing Accelerator program (decision expected early summer). A pilot workforce program at the LEDO building incorporates 10% of units at 60% of Dane County median income; three other developers have expressed interest.
• Other Updates: Spring Hill Suites (100 rooms) on Nesbitt Road is awaiting final Marriott inspection (elevator delay). A ribbon cutting is planned. The Class A office building at Verona and McKee Roads is fully leased (wealth distribution strategies on first floor, Kale Engineering and Power Line Systems on upper floors). New businesses: Fairway Lounge (golf simulator, pizza) at former Benvenuto's; Great Clips at Hatchery Hill (ribbon cutting April 16). Mike and Lorreen attended the Madison Black Chamber gala that evening.

Key Outcomes

• Resolution R1926 approving and adopting the 2026 Comprehensive Housing Study and Action Plan passed unanimously by voice vote.
• The hotel room tax report was received as information; a future budget amendment for marketing ($25,000) is anticipated.
• Committee acknowledged upcoming items: TID amendments for Jamestown Quarry, continued Forward Fitchburg roundtables, and further housing program implementation (Efficiency Navigator, CDBG infrastructure, down payment assistance RFP).
• The next CETA meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 23, 2026. The meeting adjourned unanimously.