Fitchburg Transportation and Transit Commission Meeting - May 14, 2026

The Fitchburg Transportation and Transit Commission met on May 14, 2026. The meeting covered approval of minutes, deferred officer elections, a staff report on transit and road projects, a detailed review of the Madison Metro Transit contract, and a discussion of parking management in the Terra Vesa neighborhood. Commissioners also received updates from the Common Council, Bike/Ped Commission, and Plan Commission.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The commission unanimously approved the minutes of the previous meeting as submitted by the secretary.
• Deferral of Officer Elections: A motion to defer the election of chair and vice chair until the May 2027 meeting was approved unanimously. The discussion clarified that commission chairs are limited to two consecutive terms according to city ordinance, and that alder-appointed members cannot serve as chair.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Josh Olsen (Terra Vesa resident and Bike/Ped Commission member): Expressed full support for managed parking and paid on-street parking in Terra Vesa, citing the neighborhood's design as walkable and transit-oriented. He advocated for parking benefit districts, where meter revenue is reinvested locally, and opposed free parking that encourages single-occupancy car trips. He emphasized that the neighborhood has ample off-street parking capacity and that the goal should be to reduce car dependence.

Discussion Items

• Staff Report (Ross):

  • A $4.2 million budget amendment for BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) was approved by Common Council; final approval from the Joint Review Board is expected on June 24, 2026.
  • Route 65 detours due to police facility construction will begin Monday for two weeks (May 18–June 1), with stops posted.
  • Metro Transit will present at the June or July Committee of the Whole to discuss their report card and a new formal route change process. Commissioners expressed frustration over Metro's delay in implementing Fitchburg's requested route changes, citing bus availability and staffing issues.
  • The County Highway MM bike/ped underpass project is on schedule, with construction needed before July 2027.
  • A Comprehensive Safety Action Plan RFP (Vision Zero) will be issued in June.
  • Updated Traffic Impact Analysis Guidelines are being finalized and may be adopted as a policy rather than an ordinance.
  • Wisconsin Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices updates were noted, including new allowances for pink construction signs and green paint for bike lanes only.
  • A B-Cycle event for seniors at McKee Farms Park had 15 participants; one minor tip-over occurred.
  • A pilot to lower the speed limit on Research Park from 30 mph to 20 mph (between Locus Drive and Gordon Flesh Drive) will be implemented under existing ordinance for experimental changes, with data collection before and after.
  • Crosswalk refresh at Brendan Drive and Chapel Valley is planned.

• Madison Metro Transit Contract Review:

  • Staff presented a summary of the five-year transit service agreement (auto-renewed August 1, 2025, through 2030) covering cost structures, audited share calculations, and termination clauses.
  • Commissioners raised several concerns:
    • Lack of reciprocal notice for route changes: Fitchburg must give six months' notice, but Metro gave none before altering Route D1.
    • Desire for more timely and detailed ridership reporting from Metro.
    • Need for clearer definitions of expenses (e.g., lawsuits, maintenance) and exclusion of debt service.
    • Anticipation of a possible Regional Transit Authority (RTA) and the need for contract language addressing successors.
    • Preference for governance input as a partner, not just a contract signatory.
  • The commission directed staff to compile a list of desired contract amendments and report back.

• Terra Vesa Parking Review and Curb Management:

  • Staff reported 70 police calls for parking violations from May 2025 to May 2026, with hotspots at Brassica Road (school/daycare) and Lacey Road (retail and transit stop). Bike lane blockages are common.
  • Current strategies include two-hour time limits, yellow curb paint, and enforcement. A parking utilization study showed only 27-40% occupancy within 500 feet of the commercial area, well below the target of 80%.
  • Commissioners discussed further steps: marking parking bays with Ts and L's, installing bump-outs at intersections, and potentially introducing paid parking with dynamic pricing. Staff noted that paid parking would require additional enforcement resources.
  • Logan Alder (district representative) highlighted the need for clarity and enforcement, and noted that all-day bus service (currently absent) could reduce parking demand. The area's construction vehicles for the Cesta development add temporary pressure.
  • Alternate side winter parking rules were also discussed. Staff does not recommend a snow emergency district but raised the possibility of mirroring Madison's snow emergency system. Several commissioners felt the current rule is adequate despite inconvenience.

Key Outcomes

• Deferred officer election: Unanimously tabled until May 2027.
• Staff directives:
  • Continue Research Park speed pilot and collect data.
  • Prepare a list of desired amendments to the Metro Transit contract for future negotiation.
  • Explore bump-outs and pavement markings in Terra Vesa and include traffic calming in new development guidelines.
• No formal votes on parking or contract changes; discussion only.
• Next meeting: June 11, 2026. Possible cancellations in July or August depending on workload.