Chapter 66

66.1211(3) (3) Project submitted to planning commission. Before any housing project of the character designated in s. 66.1201 (9) (a) is determined by the authority, or any real estate acquired or agreed to be acquired for the project or the construction of any of the buildings begins or any application made for federal loan or grant for the project, the extent of the project and the general features of the proposed layout indicating in a general way the proposed location of buildings and open spaces shall be submitted to the planning commission, if any, of the city or political subdivision in which the proposed project is located, for the advice of the planning commission on the proposed location, extent, and general features of the layout.

66.1211(4) (4) Cooperation with cities, villages and counties. For the purpose of cooperating with and assisting cities, villages and counties, a housing authority may exercise its powers in that territory within the boundaries of any city, village or county not included in the area in which that housing authority is then authorized to function, or in any designated portion of that territory, after the governing body of the city, village or county adopts a resolution declaring that there is a need for the authority to function in the additional territory. If a housing authority has previously been authorized to exercise its powers in the additional territory or designated portion, a resolution shall not be adopted unless the housing authority finds that ultimate economy would be promoted, and the housing authority shall not initiate any housing project in the additional territory or designated portion before the adoption of the resolution.

66.1211(6) (6) Controlling statutes. Insofar as ss. 66.1201 to 66.1211 are inconsistent with any other law, the provisions of ss. 66.1201 to 66.1211 control.

66.1211(7) (7) Supplemental nature of statute. The powers conferred by ss. 66.1201 to 66.1211 are in addition to the powers conferred by any other law.

66.1211 History History: 1995 a. 225; 1999 a. 150 s. 397; Stats. 1999 s. 66.1211; 2001 a. 107.

66.1213 66.1213 Housing authorities for elderly persons.

66.1213(1) (1) Short title. This section may be referred to as the “housing authority for elderly persons law”.

66.1213(2) (2) Declaration of necessity. It is declared that the lack of housing facilities for elderly persons provided by private enterprise in certain areas creates a public necessity to establish safe and sanitary facilities for which public moneys may be spent and private property acquired. The legislature declares that to provide public housing for elderly persons is the performance of a governmental function of state concern.

66.1213(3) (3) Discrimination. Persons otherwise entitled to any right, benefit, facility, or privilege under this section may not be denied the right, benefit, facility, or privilege in any manner for any purpose nor be discriminated against because of sex, race, color, creed, sexual orientation, status as a victim of domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking, as defined in s. 106.50 (1m) (u), or national origin.

66.1213(4) (4) Definitions. As used in this section unless the text clearly indicates otherwise:

66.1213(4)(a) (a) “Authority” or “housing authority” means any of the public corporations established pursuant to sub. (5).

66.1213(4)(b) (b) “Bonds” mean any bonds, interim certificates, notes, debentures or other obligations of the authority issued pursuant to this section.

66.1213(4)(e) (e) “Commissioner” means one of the members of an authority appointed in accordance with this section.

66.1213(4)(f) (f) “Community facilities” include real and personal property, and buildings and equipment for recreational or social assemblies, for educational, health or welfare purposes and necessary utilities, when designed primarily for the benefit and use of the housing authority or the occupants of the dwelling accommodations, or for both.

66.1213(4)(h) (h) “Council” means the common council of a city.

66.1213(4)(i) (i) “Elderly person” means a person who is 62 years of age or older on the date on which the person intends to occupy the premises, or a family, the head of which, or that person’s spouse, is a person who is 62 years of age or older on the date of the intent to occupy the premises.

66.1213(4)(j) (j) “Federal government” includes the United States of America and any agency or instrumentality, corporate or otherwise, of the United States of America.

66.1213(4)(k) (k) “Government” includes the state and federal governments and any subdivision, agency or instrumentality, corporate or otherwise, of either of them.

66.1213(4)(L) (L)

66.1213(4)(L)1. 1. “Housing projects” includes all real property and personal property, building and improvements, and community facilities acquired or constructed pursuant to a single plan or undertaking to do any of the following:

66.1213(4)(L)1.a. a. Demolish, clear, remove, alter or repair insanitary or unsafe housing for elderly persons.

66.1213(4)(L)1.b. b. Provide safe and sanitary dwelling accommodations for elderly persons.

66.1213(4)(L)1.c. c. Fulfill a combination of the purposes under subd. 1. a. and b.

66.1213(4)(L)2. 2. “Housing project” includes the planning of buildings and improvements, the acquisition of property, the demolition of existing structures and the construction, reconstruction, alteration and repair of the improvements for the purpose of providing safe and sanitary housing for elderly persons and all other work in connection with housing for elderly persons. A project shall not be considered housing for the elderly unless it contains at least 8 new or rehabilitated living units which are specifically designed for the use and occupancy of persons 62 years of age or over.

66.1213(4)(m) (m) “Mortgage” includes deeds of trust, mortgages, building and loan contracts, land contracts or other instruments conveying real or personal property as security for bonds and conferring a right to foreclose and cause a sale of the real property or personal property.

66.1213(4)(n) (n) “Obligee of the authority” or “obligee” includes any bondholder, trustee or trustees for any bondholders, any lessor demising property to the authority used in connection with a housing project or any assignee of the lessor’s interest or any part of the lessor’s interest, and the United States of America, when it is a party to any contract with the authority.

66.1213(4)(o) (o) “Real property” includes lands, lands under water, structures, and any easements, franchises and incorporeal hereditaments and every estate and right in an estate, legal and equitable, including terms for years and liens by way of judgment, mortgage or otherwise.

66.1213(4)(p) (p) “Slum” means any area where dwellings predominate which, by reason of dilapidation, overcrowding, faulty arrangement or design, lack of ventilation, light or sanitary facilities, or any combination of these factors, are detrimental to safety, health and morals.

66.1213(4)(q) (q) “State public body” means any city, town, village, county, municipal corporation, commission, district, authority, other subdivision or public body of the state.

66.1213(4)(r) (r) “Trust indenture” includes instruments pledging the revenues of real or personal properties.

66.1213(5) (5) Creation of housing authorities.

66.1213(5)(a) (a) When the council declares by resolution that there is need for an authority to function in the city, a public body corporate and politic shall then exist in the city and be known as the “housing authority” of the city. The authority may transact business and exercise any powers granted to it under this section.

66.1213(5)(b) (b) The council shall adopt a resolution declaring that there is need for a housing authority in the city if it finds that there is a shortage of dwelling accommodations in the city available to elderly persons.

66.1213(5)(c) (c) In any suit, action or proceeding involving the validity or enforcement of or relating to any contract of the authority, the authority shall be conclusively deemed to have become established and authorized to transact business and exercise its powers under this section upon proof of the adoption of a resolution by the council declaring the need for the authority. The resolution is sufficient if it declares the need for an authority and finds that the condition described in par. (b) exists in the city. A copy of the resolution duly certified by the city clerk is admissible evidence in any suit, action or proceeding.

66.1213(6) (6) Section 66.1201 applies. The provisions of s. 66.1201 (5) to (24) (ag), (25) and (26) apply to housing authorities and providing housing for elderly persons under this section without reference to the income of those persons.

66.1213(7) (7) Sections 66.1203 to 66.1211 apply. The provisions of ss. 66.1203 to 66.1211 apply to housing authorities and providing housing for elderly persons under this section without reference to the income of those persons, except as follows:

66.1213(7)(a) (a) As set down by the federal housing authority in the case of housing projects to the financing or subsidizing of which it is a party.

66.1213(7)(b) (b) As set down by the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority in accordance with ch. 234 in the case of housing projects to the financing of which it is a party.

66.1213(8) (8) Not applicable to low-rental housing projects. This section does not apply to projects required to provide low-rental housing only.

66.1213 History History: 1975 c. 94, 221; 1977 c. 418 s. 929 (55); 1981 c. 112; 1983 a. 81 s. 11; 1983 a. 83 s. 20; 1983 a. 189; 1983 a. 444 s. 3; 1991 a. 316; 1993 a. 213, 246; 1999 a. 150 ss. 380, 382; Stats. 1999 s. 66.1213; 2001 a. 30 s. 44; 2001 a. 104; 2009 a. 95.

subch. XIII of ch. 66 SUBCHAPTER XIII

URBAN REDEVELOPMENT AND RENEWAL

66.1301 66.1301 Urban redevelopment.

66.1301(1) (1) Short title. Sections 66.1301 to 66.1329 may be referred to as the “Urban Redevelopment Law”.

66.1301(2) (2) Finding and declaration of necessity. It is declared that in the cities of the state substandard and insanitary areas exist which have resulted from inadequate planning, excessive land coverage, lack of proper light, air and open space, defective design and arrangement of buildings, lack of proper sanitary facilities, and the existence of buildings, which, by reason of age, obsolescence, inadequate or outmoded design, or physical deterioration have become economic or social liabilities, or both. These conditions are prevalent in areas where substandard, insanitary, outworn or outmoded industrial, commercial or residential buildings prevail. These conditions impair the economic value of large areas, infecting them with economic blight, and these areas are characterized by depreciated values, impaired investments, and reduced capacity to pay taxes. These conditions are chiefly in areas which are so subdivided into small parcels in divided ownerships and frequently with defective titles, that their assembly for purposes of clearance, replanning, rehabilitation and reconstruction is difficult and costly. The existence of these conditions and the failure to clear, replan, rehabilitate or reconstruct these areas results in a loss of population by the areas and further deterioration, accompanied by added costs to the communities for creation of new public facilities and services elsewhere. It is difficult and uneconomic for individual owners independently to undertake to remedy these conditions. It is desirable to encourage owners of property or holders of claims on property in these areas to join together and with outsiders in corporate groups for the purpose of the clearance, replanning, rehabilitation and reconstruction of these areas by joint action. It is necessary to create, with proper safeguards, inducements and opportunities for the employment of private investment and equity capital in the clearance, replanning, rehabilitation and reconstruction of these areas. These conditions require the employment of capital on an investment rather than a speculative basis, allowing however the widest latitude in the amortization of any indebtedness created. These conditions further require the acquisition at fair prices of adequate areas, the gradual clearance of the areas through demolition of existing obsolete, inadequate, unsafe and insanitary buildings and the redevelopment of the areas under proper supervision with appropriate planning, land use and construction policies. The clearance, replanning, rehabilitation and reconstruction of these areas on a large scale basis are necessary for the public welfare. The clearance, replanning, reconstruction and rehabilitation of these areas are public uses and purposes for which private property may be acquired. Substandard and insanitary areas constitute a menace to the health, safety, morals, welfare and reasonable comfort of the citizens of the state. These conditions require the aid of redevelopment corporations for the purpose of attaining the ends recited in this subsection. The protection and promotion of the health, safety, morals, welfare and reasonable comfort of the citizens of the state are matters of public concern. Sections 66.1301 to 66.1329 are in the public interest.

66.1301(2m) (2m) Discrimination. Persons entitled to any right, benefit, facility, or privilege under ss. 66.1301 to 66.1329 may not be denied the right, benefit, facility, or privilege in any manner for any purpose nor be discriminated against because of sex, race, color, creed, sexual orientation, status as a victim of domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking, as defined in s. 106.50 (1m) (u), or national origin.

66.1301(3) (3) Definitions. In ss. 66.1301 to 66.1329, unless a different intent clearly appears from the context:

66.1301(3)(a) (a) “Area” means a portion of a city which its planning commission finds to be substandard or insanitary, so that the clearance, replanning, rehabilitation or reconstruction of that portion is necessary or advisable to effectuate the public purposes declared in sub. (2). “Area” includes buildings or improvements not in themselves substandard or insanitary, and real property, whether improved or unimproved, the inclusion of which is considered necessary for the effective clearance, replanning, reconstruction or rehabilitation of the area of which the buildings, improvements or real property form a part and includes vacant land which is in such proximity to other land or structures that the economic value of the other land or structures is impaired.

66.1301(3)(d) (d) “Development” means a specific work, repair or improvement to put into effect a development plan and includes the real property, buildings and improvements owned, constructed, managed or operated by a redevelopment corporation.

66.1301(3)(e) (e) “Development area” means that portion of an area to which a development plan is applicable.

66.1301(3)(f) (f) “Development cost” means the amount determined by the planning commission to be the actual cost of the development or of the part of the development for which the determination is made. “Development cost” includes, among other costs, all of the following:

66.1301(3)(f)1. 1. The reasonable costs of planning the development, including preliminary studies and surveys, neighborhood planning, architectural and engineering services and legal and incorporation expense.

66.1301(3)(f)2. 2. The actual cost, if any, of alleviating hardship to families occupying dwelling accommodations in the development area where hardship results from the execution of the development plan.

66.1301(3)(f)3. 3. The reasonable costs of financing the development, including carrying charges during construction.

66.1301(3)(f)4. 4. Working capital in an amount not exceeding 5 percent of development cost.

66.1301(3)(f)5. 5. The actual cost of the real property included in the development, of demolition of existing structures and of utilities, landscaping and roadways.

66.1301(3)(f)6. 6. The amount of special assessments subsequently paid.

66.1301(3)(f)7. 7. The actual cost of construction, equipment and furnishing of buildings and improvements, including architectural, engineering and builder’s fees.

66.1301(3)(f)8. 8. The actual cost of reconstruction, rehabilitation, remodeling or initial repair of existing buildings and improvements.

66.1301(3)(f)9. 9. Reasonable management costs until the development is ready for use.

66.1301(3)(f)10. 10. The actual cost of improving that portion of the development area which is to remain as open space, together with additions to development cost that equal the actual cost of additions to or changes in the development in accordance with the original development plan or after approved changes in or amendments to the development plan.

66.1301(3)(g) (g) “Development plan” means a plan for the redevelopment of all or any part of an area, and includes any amendments that are approved in accordance with the requirements of s. 66.1305 (1).

66.1301(3)(h) (h) “Local governing body” means a common council, council, commission or other board or body vested by the charter of a city or other law with jurisdiction to adopt or enact ordinances or local laws.

66.1301(3)(n) (n) “Mortgage” means a mortgage, trust indenture, deed of trust, building and loan contract or other instrument creating a lien on real property, and the indebtedness secured by each of them.

66.1301(3)(o) (o) “Neighborhood unit” means a primarily residential district having the facilities necessary for well-rounded family living, such as schools, parks, playgrounds, parking areas and local shopping districts.

66.1301(3)(p) (p) “Planning commission” means the official bureau, board, commission or agency of a city that is authorized to prepare, adopt, amend or modify a master plan for the development of the city.

66.1301(3)(q) (q) “Real property” includes lands, buildings, improvements, land under water, waterfront property, and any easements, franchises and hereditaments, corporeal or incorporeal, and every estate, interest, privilege, easement, franchise and right in or appurtenant to the real property, legal or equitable, including rights-of-way, terms for years and liens, charges, or encumbrances by mortgage, judgment or otherwise.

66.1301(3)(r) (r) “Redevelopment” means the clearance, replanning, reconstruction or rehabilitation of an area or part of an area, and the provision of industrial, commercial, residential or public structures or spaces as may be appropriate, including recreational and other facilities incidental or appurtenant to the structures or spaces.

66.1301(3)(s) (s) “Redevelopment corporation” means a corporation carrying out a redevelopment plan under ss. 66.1301 to 66.1329.

66.1301 History History: 1975 c. 94; 1981 c. 112; 1989 a. 31; 1993 a. 184; 1995 a. 225; 1999 a. 150 ss. 398 to 401; Stats. 1999 s. 66.1301; 2009 a. 95.

66.1303 66.1303 Urban redevelopment; plans, approval.

66.1303(1) (1) A development plan shall contain the information that the planning commission requires, including all of the following:

66.1303(1)(a) (a) A metes and bounds description of the development area.

66.1303(1)(b) (b) A statement of the real property in the development area fee title to which the city proposes to acquire and a statement of the interests to be acquired in any other real property by the city.

66.1303(1)(c) (c) A statement of the various stages, if more than one is intended, by which the development is proposed to be constructed or undertaken, and the time limit for the completion of each stage, together with a metes and bounds description of the real property to be included in each stage.

66.1303(1)(d) (d) A statement of the existing buildings or improvements in the development area, to be demolished immediately.

66.1303(1)(e) (e) A statement of the existing buildings or improvements, in the development area not to be demolished immediately and the approximate period of time during which the demolition of each building or improvement is to take place.

66.1303(1)(f) (f) A statement of the proposed improvements to each building not to be demolished immediately, any proposed repairs or alterations to the building, and the approximate period of time during which improvements, repairs or alterations are to be made.

66.1303(1)(g) (g) A statement of the type, number and character of each new industrial, commercial, residential or other building or improvement to be erected or made and a statement of the maximum limitations upon the bulk of buildings or improvements to be permitted at various stages of the development plan.

66.1303(1)(h) (h) A statement of those portions of the development area which may be permitted or will be required to be left as open space, the use to which each open space is to be put, the period of time each open space will be required to remain an open space and the manner in which it will be improved and maintained.

66.1303(1)(i) (i) A statement of the proposed changes in zoning ordinances or maps, necessary or desirable for the development and its protection against blighting influences.

66.1303(1)(j) (j) A statement of the proposed changes in streets or street levels and of proposed street closings.

66.1303(1)(k) (k) A statement of the character of the existing dwelling accommodations in the development area, the approximate number of families residing in the development area, together with a schedule of the rentals being paid by them, and a schedule of the vacancies in the accommodations, together with the rental demanded for the vacant accommodations.

66.1303(1)(L) (L) A statement of the character, approximate number of units, approximate rentals and approximate date of availability of the proposed dwelling accommodations to be furnished during construction and upon completion of the development.

66.1303(1)(m) (m) A statement of the proposed method of financing the development, in sufficient detail to evidence the probability that the redevelopment corporation will be able to finance or arrange to finance the development.

66.1303(1)(n) (n) A statement of persons who it is proposed will be active in or associated with the management of the redevelopment corporation during a period of at least one year from the date of the approval of the development plan.

66.1303(1)(o) (o) Other statements or material that are considered relevant by the applicant, including suggestions for the clearance, replanning, reconstruction or rehabilitation of one or more areas which may be larger than the development area but which include it, and any other provisions for redevelopment.

66.1303(2) (2) No development may be initiated until the adoption of a resolution of approval of the development plan by both the planning commission and the local governing body.

66.1303(3) (3) The planning commission may approve a development plan after a public hearing, and shall determine all of the following: