Economic Development: Mayor Dave: One Stop Shopping: Virtual and Physical Initiative

(Ed. note. I have edited this economic development press release of Mayor Dave. It contains concepts that are relevant locally.)

Office of the Mayor
David J. Cieslewicz City-County Building, Room 403
210 Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard
Madison, Wisconsin 53703
(Phone) 608 266 4611
(TTY) 608 266 4443
(FAX) 608 267 8671

Building a Healthy City: The Mayor’s Economic Development Initiative
Since taking office in 2003, I have made economic development a key priority. While the City of Madison
has one of the strongest economies in the nation, we will not remain that way if we don’t anticipate changes,
and take advantage of them.

To that end, I have reinvigorated the Economic Development Commission (EDC); organized the Healthy
City economic development conference; organized the city’s first-ever Small Business Conference; and much
more. This year, I am continuing those efforts with a series of initiatives designed to keeping Madison’s
economy strong and create good-paying jobs for all of its families.
Streamlining the Development Process

I am proposing creation of both a virtual, and an actual, “One Stop Shop”. On the virtual side, I am
proposing to purchase enterprise permitting software, which will significantly streamline the flow of
information between the public and city government, and within city government itself. This builds on the
City’s ongoing commitment to increase convenient online access to information through services such as
Legistar.

In addition, I am proposing to create a physical “One Stop Shop” in 2007. This will be a single location
where members of the public such as developers can simultaneously meet with City staff from various
agencies. It will also enable better communication among staff, helping to ensure that members of the public
receive reliable, consistent information from City government and make the development process more
predictable for both neighborhoods and developers.

Creating a Zoning Code for the 21st Century
My budget includes $300,000 to rewrite the City’s aging zoning code over the next two years. The code
includes countless cumbersome, outdated provisions that have accumulated over the years, making it
confusing to developers and City staff alike. This is a continuation of the process that started with the
adoption of the City’s new comprehensive plan, and will reflect development principles including infill and
New Urbanism. A modern zoning code will eliminate obsolete zoning provisions, and create new ones that
reflect Madison’s growing economy. This process will streamline development by reducing the need for
zoning variance requests.
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Elevating Economic Development in City Government
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My budget includes funding to restructure the city’s key economic development agency, the Department of
Planning and Development. This will include the elevation of a new Director of Economic Development to
sit on the mayor’s Management Team and report directly to me, the combination of key economic
development functions under the economic development director, and additional investment in the Office of
Business Resources.