60.625 History History: 2009 a. 373; 2011 a. 32; 2017 a. 365 s. 112.
60.627 60.627 Town construction site erosion control and storm water management zoning.
60.627(1)(1)Definition. In this section, “department" means the department of natural resources.
60.627(2) (2)Authority to enact ordinance.
60.627(2)(a) (a) To effect the purposes of s. 281.33 and to promote the public health, safety and general welfare, if a town board may enact zoning ordinances under s. 60.62, the town board may enact a zoning ordinance, that is applicable to all of its area, for construction site erosion control at sites described in s. 281.33 (3) (a) 1. a. and b. and for storm water management. This ordinance may be enacted separately from ordinances enacted under s. 60.62. An ordinance enacted under this paragraph is subject to the strict conformity requirements under s. 281.33 (3m).
60.627(2)(b) (b) A county ordinance enacted under s. 59.693 does not apply and has no effect in a town in which an ordinance enacted under this section is in effect.
60.627(4) (4)Applicability of village zoning provisions.
60.627(4)(a)(a) Except as otherwise specified in this section, the provisions of s. 61.35, as they apply to villages, apply to any ordinance or amendment to an ordinance enacted under this section.
60.627(4)(b) (b) Variances and appeals regarding a construction site erosion control and storm water management ordinance under this section are to be determined by the board of appeals or similar agency for the town. To the extent specified under s. 61.35, procedures under s. 62.23 (7) (e) apply to these determinations.
60.627(4)(c) (c) An ordinance enacted under this section supersedes all provisions of an ordinance enacted under s. 60.62 that relate to construction site erosion control at sites described in s. 281.33 (3) (a) 1. a. and b. or to storm water management regulation.
60.627(5) (5)Applicability of comprehensive zoning plan or general zoning ordinance. An ordinance enacted under this section shall accord and be consistent with any comprehensive zoning plan or general zoning ordinance applicable to the enacting town, so far as practicable.
60.627(6) (6)Applicability of local subdivision regulation. All powers granted to a town under s. 236.45 may be exercised by it with respect to construction site erosion control at sites described in s. 281.33 (3) (a) 1. a. and b. or with respect to storm water management regulation, if the town has or provides a planning commission or agency.
60.627(7) (7)Applicability to local governments and agencies. An ordinance enacted under this section is applicable to activities conducted by a unit of local government and an agency of that unit of government. An ordinance enacted under this section is not applicable to activities conducted by an agency, as defined under s. 227.01 (1) but also including the office of district attorney, which is subject to the state plan promulgated or a memorandum of understanding entered into under s. 281.33 (2).
60.627(8) (8)Intergovernmental cooperation.
60.627(8)(a)(a) Except as provided in par. (c), s. 66.0301 applies to this section, but for the purposes of this section any agreement under s. 66.0301 shall be effected by ordinance.
60.627(8)(b) (b) If a town is served by a regional planning commission under s. 66.0309 and if the commission consents, the town may empower the commission by ordinance to administer the ordinance enacted under this section throughout the town, whether or not the area otherwise served by the commission includes all of that town.
60.627(8)(c) (c) If a town is served by the Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission, and if the commission consents, the town may empower the commission by ordinance to administer the ordinance enacted under this section throughout the town, whether or not the area otherwise served by the commission includes all of that town. Section 66.0301 does not apply to this paragraph.
60.627(9) (9)Validity upon annexation. An ordinance enacted under this section by a town continues in effect in any area annexed by a city or village after the effective date of that ordinance unless the city or village enacts, maintains and enforces a city or village ordinance which complies with minimum standards established by the department and which is at least as restrictive as the town ordinance enacted under this section. If, after providing notice and conducting a hearing on the matter, the department determines that an ordinance enacted by a city or village which is applicable to an area annexed after the effective date of the town ordinance does not meet these standards or is not as restrictive as the town ordinance, the department shall issue an order declaring the city or village ordinance void and reinstating the applicability of the town ordinance to the annexed area.
60.627 History History: 1993 a. 246; 1995 a. 201, 227; 1999 a. 150 s. 672; 2013 a. 20.
60.63 60.63 Community and other living arrangements. For purposes of s. 60.61, the location of a community living arrangement for adults, as defined in s. 46.03 (22), a community living arrangement for children, as defined in s. 48.743 (1), a foster home, as defined in s. 48.02 (6), or an adult family home, as defined in s. 50.01 (1), in any town shall be subject to the following criteria:
60.63(1) (1)No community living arrangement may be established after March 28, 1978 within 2,500 feet, or any lesser distance established by an ordinance of the town, of any other such facility. Agents of a facility may apply for an exception to this requirement, and such exceptions may be granted at the discretion of the local town. Two community living arrangements may be adjacent if the town authorizes that arrangement and if both facilities comprise essential components of a single program.
60.63(2) (2)Community living arrangements shall be permitted in each town without restriction as to the number of facilities, so long as the total capacity of the community living arrangements does not exceed 25 or one percent of the town's population, whichever is greater. If the capacity of the community living arrangements in the town reaches such total, the town may prohibit additional community living arrangements from locating in the township. Agents of a facility may apply for an exception to this requirement, and such exceptions may be granted at the discretion of the town.
60.63(3) (3)A foster home that is the primary domicile of a foster parent and that is licensed under s. 48.62 or an adult family home certified under s. 50.032 (1m) (b) shall be a permitted use in all residential areas and is not subject to subs. (1) and (2) except that foster homes operated by corporations, child welfare agencies, churches, associations, or public agencies shall be subject to subs. (1) and (2).
60.63(3m) (3m)
60.63(3m)(a)(a) No adult family home described in s. 50.01 (1) (b) may be established within 2,500 feet, or any lesser distance established by an ordinance of the town, of any other adult family home described in s. 50.01 (1) (b) or any community living arrangement. An agent of an adult family home described in s. 50.01 (1) (b) may apply for an exception to this requirement, and the exception may be granted at the discretion of the town.
60.63(3m)(b) (b) An adult family home described in s. 50.01 (1) (b) that meets the criteria specified in par. (a) and that is licensed under s. 50.033 (1m) (b) is permitted in the town without restriction as to the number of adult family homes and may locate in any residential zone, without being required to obtain special zoning permission except as provided in sub. (10).
60.63(4) (4)If the community living arrangement has capacity for 8 or fewer persons being served by the program, meets the criteria listed in subs. (1) and (2), and is licensed, operated, or permitted under the authority of the department of health services or the department of children and families, the community living arrangement is entitled to locate in any residential zone, without being required to obtain special zoning permission except as provided under sub. (10).
60.63(5) (5)In all cases where the community living arrangement has capacity for 9 to 15 persons being served by the program, meets the criteria listed in subs. (1) and (2), and is licensed, operated, or permitted under the authority of the department of health services or the department of children and families, that facility is entitled to locate in any residential area except areas zoned exclusively for single-family or 2-family residences except as provided in sub. (10), but is entitled to apply for special zoning permission to locate in those areas. The town may grant such special zoning permission at its discretion and shall make a procedure available to enable such facilities to request such permission.
60.63(6) (6)In all cases where the community living arrangement has capacity for serving 16 or more persons, meets the criteria listed in subs. (1) and (2), and is licensed, operated, or permitted under the authority of the department of health services or the department of children and families, that facility is entitled to apply for special zoning permission to locate in areas zoned for residential use. The town may grant such special zoning permission at its discretion and shall make a procedure available to enable such facilities to request such permission.
60.63(7) (7)The department of health services shall designate a single subunit within that department to maintain appropriate records indicating the location and the capacity of each community living arrangement for adults, and such information shall be available to the public. The department of children and families shall designate a single subunit within that department to maintain appropriate records indicating the location and the capacity of each community living arrangement for children, and such information shall be available to the public.
60.63(8) (8)In this section, “special zoning permission" includes but is not limited to the following: special exception, special permit, conditional use, zoning variance, conditional permit and words of similar intent.
60.63(9) (9)The attorney general shall take all necessary action, upon the request of the department of health services or the department of children and families, to enforce compliance with this section.
60.63(10) (10)Not less than 11 months nor more than 13 months after the first licensure of an adult family home under s. 50.033 or of a community living arrangement and every year thereafter, the town board of a town in which a licensed adult family home or a community living arrangement is located may make a determination as to the effect of the adult family home or community living arrangement on the health, safety or welfare of the residents of the town. The determination shall be made according to the procedures provided under sub. (11). If the town board determines that the existence in the town of a licensed adult family home or a community living arrangement poses a threat to the health, safety or welfare of the residents of the town, the town board may order the adult family home or community living arrangement to cease operation unless special zoning permission is obtained. The order is subject to judicial review under s. 68.13, except that a free copy of the transcript may not be provided to the licensed adult family home or community living arrangement. The licensed adult family home or community living arrangement must cease operation within 90 days after the date of the order, or the date of final judicial review of the order, or the date of the denial of special zoning permission, whichever is later.
60.63(10m) (10m)The fact that an individual with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or a positive HIV test, as defined in s. 252.01 (2m), resides in a community living arrangement with a capacity for 8 or fewer persons may not be used under sub. (10) to assert or prove that the existence of the community living arrangement in the town poses a threat to the health, safety or welfare of the residents of the town.
60.63(11) (11)A determination made under sub. (10) shall be made after a hearing before the town board. The town shall provide at least 30 days' notice to the licensed adult family home or the community living arrangement that such a hearing will be held. At the hearing, the licensed adult family home or the community living arrangement may be represented by counsel and may present evidence and call and examine witnesses and cross-examine other witnesses called. The town board may call witnesses and may issue subpoenas. All witnesses shall be sworn by the town board. The town board shall take notes of the testimony and shall mark and preserve all exhibits. The town board may, and upon request of the licensed adult family home or the community living arrangement shall, cause the proceedings to be taken by a stenographer or by a recording device, the expense thereof to be paid by the town. Within 20 days after the hearing, the town board shall deliver to the licensed adult family home or the community living arrangement its written determination stating the reasons therefor. The determination shall be a final determination.
60.635 60.635 Environmental protection; interstate hazardous liquid pipelines. A town may not require an operator of an interstate hazardous liquid pipeline to obtain insurance if the pipeline operating company carries comprehensive general liability insurance coverage that includes coverage for sudden and accidental pollution liability.
60.635 History History: 2015 a. 55.
60.64 60.64 Historic preservation.
60.64(1)(1)Subject to subs. (2) and (2m), the town board, in the exercise of its zoning and police powers for the purpose of promoting the health, safety and general welfare of the community and of the state, may regulate any place, structure or object with a special character, historic interest, aesthetic interest or other significant value for the purpose of preserving the place, structure or object and its significant characteristics. Subject to subs. (2), (2m), and (3), the town board may create a landmarks commission to designate historic landmarks and establish historic districts. Subject to subs. (2) and (2m), the board may regulate all historic landmarks and all property within each historic district to preserve the historic landmarks and property within the district and the character of the district.
60.64(2) (2)Before the town board designates a historic landmark or establishes a historic district, the town board shall hold a public hearing. If the town board proposes to designate a place, structure, or object as a historic landmark or establish a historic district that includes a place, structure, or object, the town board shall, by 1st class mail, notify the owner of the place, structure, or object of the determination and of the time and place of the public hearing on the determination.
60.64(2m) (2m)In the repair or replacement of a property that is designated as a historic landmark or included within a historic district or neighborhood conservation district under this section, the town board shall allow an owner to use materials that are similar in design, color, scale, architectural appearance, and other visual qualities.
60.64(3) (3)An owner of property that is affected by a decision of a town landmarks commission may appeal the decision to the town board. The town board may overturn a decision of the commission by a majority vote of the town board.
60.64 History History: 1983 a. 532; 2015 a. 176; 2017 a. 317.
60.65 60.65 Board of adjustment.
60.65(1)(1)Town board shall appoint. If a zoning ordinance has been adopted under s. 60.61, the town board shall establish and appoint a board of adjustment.
60.65(2) (2)Membership. The board of adjustment consists of 3 members. Not more than one town board supervisor may be a member of the board of adjustment. The initial terms of the members of the board of adjustment are one, 2 and 3 years, respectively, starting from the first day of the month next following the appointment. Successors shall be appointed or elected at the expiration of each term and their term of office shall be 3 years and until their successors are appointed or elected. Members of the board of adjustment shall reside within the town. The board shall choose a chairperson. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term of any member whose office becomes vacant. The town board may compensate the members of the adjustment board.
60.65(3) (3)Powers and duties. The town board may authorize the board of adjustment to, in appropriate cases and subject to appropriate conditions and safeguards, permit special exceptions to the terms of the zoning ordinance under s. 60.61 consistent with the ordinance's general purpose and intent and with applicable provisions of the ordinance. This subsection does not preclude the granting of special exceptions by the town zoning committee designated under s. 60.61 (4) or the town board, in accordance with regulations and restrictions adopted under s. 60.61.
60.65(4) (4)Procedure. The town board shall adopt regulations for the conduct of the business of the board of adjustment consistent with ordinances adopted under s. 60.61. The board of adjustment may adopt rules necessary to implement the regulations of the town board. Meetings of the board shall be held at the call of the chairperson and other times as the board may determine. The chairperson or, in his or her absence, the acting chairperson, may administer oaths and compel the attendance of witnesses. The board shall keep minutes of its proceedings showing the vote of each member upon each question or, if absent, indicating that fact and shall keep records of its examinations and other official actions, all of which shall be immediately filed in the office of the board and shall be a public record. In any action involving a historic property, as defined in s. 44.31 (3), the board shall consider any suggested alternatives or recommended decision submitted by the landmarks commission or the zoning committee.
60.65(5) (5)Exercise of county board of adjustment powers. Boards of adjustment under town zoning ordinances shall have the powers and duties provided for boards of adjustment under s. 59.694 and shall carry out their duties in the manner provided for boards of adjustment by s. 59.694.
60.65(6) (6)Judicial review. A decision of a board of adjustment under this section is subject to review under the procedures described in s. 59.694 (10) (a), or if the decision is on an application for an approval, as defined in s. 781.10 (1) (a), under the procedures described in s. 59.694 (10) (b).
60.65 Annotation General, rather than explicit, standards regarding the granting of special exceptions may be adopted and applied by the governing body. The applicant has the burden of formulating conditions showing that the proposed use will meet the standards. Upon approval, additional conditions may be imposed by the governing body. Kraemer & Sons v. Sauk County Adjustment Board, 183 Wis. 2d 1, 515 N.W.2d 256 (1994).
60.65 Annotation Sub. (3) requires that the authority of a town board of adjustment to grant conditional use permits be contained in the town zoning ordinance. There is no statutory authority for a town board of adjustment to hear appeals from decisions of town boards granting or denying conditional use permits. Magnolia Township and Western Rock County Citizens Against Factory Farming v. Town of Magnolia, 2005 WI App 119, 284 Wis. 2d 361, 701 N.W.2d 60, 04-1591
60.65 Annotation Conditional Use Permits: Strategies for Local Zoning Proceedings. Peranteau. Wis. Law. Sept. 2015.
60.66 60.66 Town park commission.
60.66(1)(1)Established by annual town meeting. The annual town meeting may establish a town park commission consisting of 7 members.
60.66(2) (2)Appointment and term.
60.66(2)(a) (a) The town board shall appoint the members of the commission within 60 days after the commission is established. Each member shall take and file the official oath.
60.66(2)(b) (b) Except as provided under par. (c), members shall serve a term of 7 years, commencing July 1 of the year in which appointed. The town board shall appoint a successor during the month of June immediately preceding the expiration of the member's term.
60.66(2)(c) (c) The first 7 members shall be appointed for staggered terms so that on the first day of July in each of the 7 years next following the year in which they are appointed, the term of one member expires.
60.66(2)(d) (d) A member shall hold his or her office until his or her successor is appointed and qualified.
60.66(3) (3)Organization.
60.66(3)(a) (a) Within 30 days after the appointment and qualification of the initial members of the commission, the commission shall hold a meeting to appoint officers and establish bylaws for its operation.
60.66(3)(b) (b) The commission may appoint necessary assistants and employees to carry out its functions, make rules and regulations concerning their work and remove them at pleasure.
60.66(3)(c) (c) The town board shall provide sufficient office space for the maps, plans, documents and records of the commission.
60.66(4) (4)Powers and duties.
60.66(4)(a) (a) In this subsection, “park" means a public park, parkway, boulevard or pleasure drive.
60.66(4)(b) (b) The commission shall have charge of and supervision over all parks located in the town and may exercise the powers of a board of park commissioners under ss. 27.08 and 27.10 (1).
60.66(4)(c) (c) Within 2 years after its organization under sub. (3), the commission shall:
60.66(4)(c)1. 1. Make a thorough study of the town with reference to reserving lands for park purposes.
60.66(4)(c)2. 2. Make plans and maps of a comprehensive town park system.
60.66(4)(c)3. 3. Present the results of its study and its plans to the town meeting.
60.66(4)(d) (d) The commission may:
60.66(4)(d)1. 1. Lay out, improve and maintain parks in the town.
60.66(4)(d)2. 2. Lay out, grade, construct, improve and maintain highways, roads and bridges in a park or connecting the park with any other park or with any municipality.
60.66(4)(d)3. 3. Establish regulations for the use and enjoyment of the parks by the public.
60.66(4)(d)4. 4. With town board approval, acquire, in the name of the town, by purchase, land contract, lease, condemnation or otherwise, tracts of land suitable for parks. No land acquired by the commission may be disposed of by the town without the consent of the commission. If the land is disposed of, all money received for the land shall be paid into a town park fund.
60.66(4)(d)5. 5. Accept, in the name of the town, grants, conveyances and devises of land and bequests and donations of money to be used for parks located in the town.
60.66 History History: 1983 a. 532.
subch. IX of ch. 60 SUBCHAPTER IX
TOWN SANITARY DISTRICTS
60.70 60.70 Definitions. In this subchapter:
60.70(1) (1)“Commission" means the town sanitary district commission.
60.70(1m) (1m)“Commissioner" means a member of a commission.
60.70(2) (2)“Equalized full value" means the assessed full value adjusted to reflect the full value as determined under s. 70.57.
60.70(3) (3)“Municipality" means a city, village or town.
60.70(4) (4)“Pollution" means contaminating or rendering unclean or impure the waters of the state, or making them injurious to public health, harmful for commercial or recreational use, or deleterious to fish, bird, animal or plant life.
60.70(5) (5)“Private on-site wastewater treatment system" has the meaning given under s. 145.01 (12).
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2021-22 Wisconsin Statutes updated through 2023 Wis. Act 71 and through all Supreme Court and Controlled Substances Board Orders filed before and in effect on February 14, 2024. Published and certified under s. 35.18. Changes effective after February 14, 2024, are designated by NOTES. (Published 2-14-24)