AB834: Bill Text

LRB-4451/1

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1999 - 2000 LEGISLATURE

1999 Assembly BILL 834

March 7, 2000 - Introduced by Representative Berceau. Referred to Committee on Conservation and Land Use.

AB834,1,2 An Act to amend 62.23 (7) (c) of the statutes; relating to: changing the purposes for which municipal zoning ordinances may be enacted.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Under current law, a city, village or town that is authorized to exercise village powers (municipality) or a county is authorized to enact zoning ordinances that regulate and restrict the height, number of stories and size of buildings and other structures, the percentage of lot that may be occupied, the size of yards and other open spaces, the density of population and the location and use of buildings, structures and land for various purposes.

Current law requires that such zoning ordinances, with regard to municipalities, be made in accordance with a comprehensive plan and be designed for certain purposes, such as to lessen congestion in the streets, to secure safety from fire, panic and other dangers and to provide adequate light and air, including access to sunlight for solar collectors. This bill eliminates some of these purposes, such as to lessen congestion in the streets, to secure safety from panic, to prevent the overcrowding of land and to avoid undue concentration of population and adds the purpose of encouraging maximum healthy densities and a mix of residential, commercial and business areas which result in pleasant, walkable neighborhoods.

For further information see the local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

AB834, s. 1 Section 1. 62.23 (7) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB834,2,15 62.23 (7) (c) Purposes in view. Such regulations shall be made in accordance with a comprehensive plan and designed to lessen congestion in the streets; to secure safety from fire, panic and other dangers; to promote health and the general welfare; to provide adequate light and air, including access to sunlight for solar collectors and to wind for wind energy systems; to encourage maximum healthy densities and a mix of residential, commercial and business areas which result in pleasant walkable neighborhoods; to encourage the protection of groundwater resources; to prevent the overcrowding of land; to avoid undue concentration of population; to facilitate the adequate provision of transportation, water, sewerage, schools, parks and other public requirements; and to preserve burial sites, as defined in s. 157.70 (1) (b). Such regulations shall be made with reasonable consideration, among other things, of the character of the district and its peculiar suitability for particular uses, and with a view to conserving the value of buildings and encouraging the most appropriate use of land throughout such city.

AB834,2,16 (End)