Chapter 66

66.1313(1) (1) Condemnation proceedings for a redevelopment corporation shall be initiated by a petition to the city to institute proceedings to acquire for the redevelopment corporation any real property in the development area. The petition shall be granted or rejected by the local governing body, and the resolution or resolutions granting the petition shall require that the redevelopment corporation pay the city all sums expended or required to be expended by the city in the acquisition of the real property, or for any real property to be conveyed to the corporation by the city in connection with the plan, and the time of payment and manner of securing payment, and may require that the city receive, before proceeding with the acquisition of the real property, such assurances as to payment or reimbursement by the redevelopment corporation, or otherwise, as the city deems advisable. Upon the passage of a resolution by the local governing body granting the petition, the redevelopment corporation shall make 3 copies of surveys or maps of the real property described in the petition, one of which shall be filed in the office of the redevelopment corporation, one in the office of the city attorney of the city, and one in the office in which instruments affecting real property in the county are recorded. The filing of copies of surveys or maps constitutes acceptance by the redevelopment corporation of the terms and conditions contained in the resolution. The city may conduct condemnation proceedings either under ch. 32 or under other laws applicable to the city. When title to real property vests in the city, it shall convey or lease the real property, with any other real property to be conveyed or leased to the redevelopment corporation by the city in connection with the redevelopment plan, to the redevelopment corporation upon payment by the redevelopment corporation of the sums and the giving of the security required by the resolution granting the petition.

66.1313(2) (2) The following provisions apply to any proceedings for the assessment of compensation and damages for real property in a development area taken or to be taken by condemnation for a redevelopment corporation:

66.1313(2)(a) (a) For the purpose of ss. 66.1301 to 66.1329, the award of compensation may not be increased by reason of any increase in the value of the real property caused by the assembly, clearance or reconstruction, or proposed assembly, clearance or reconstruction for the purposes of ss. 66.1301 to 66.1329, of the real property in the development area. No allowance may be made for improvements begun on real property after notice to the owner of the property of the institution of the proceedings to condemn the property.

66.1313(2)(b) (b) Evidence is admissible that is relevant to the insanitary, unsafe or substandard condition of the premises, or of their illegal use, or the enhancement of rentals from illegal use, and the evidence may be considered in fixing the compensation to be paid, notwithstanding that no steps to remedy or abate the conditions have been taken by the department or officers having jurisdiction. If a violation order is on file against the premises in the department, it constitutes prima facie evidence of the existence of the condition specified in the order.

66.1313(2)(c) (c) If real property in the development area which is to be acquired by condemnation has, before acquisition, been devoted to another public use, it may be acquired provided that no real property belonging to the city or to any other governmental body, or agency or instrumentality of the city or other governmental body, corporate or otherwise, may be acquired without its consent. No real property belonging to a public utility corporation may be acquired without the approval of the public service commission or other officer or tribunal having regulatory power over the corporation.

66.1313(2)(d) (d) Upon the trial a statement, affidavit, deposition, report, transcript of testimony in an action or proceeding, or appraisal made or given by any owner or prior owner of the premises taken, or by any person on the owner’s or prior owner’s behalf, to any court, governmental bureau, department or agency respecting the value of the real property for tax purposes, is relevant, material and competent upon the issue of value of damage and is admissible on direct examination.

66.1313(2)(e) (e) In this section, “owner” includes a person having an estate, interest or easement in the real property to be acquired or a lien, charge or encumbrance on the real property.

66.1313 History History: 1991 a. 316; 1995 a. 225; 1999 a. 150 s. 416; Stats. 1999 s. 66.1313.

66.1315 66.1315 Urban redevelopment; continued use of land by prior owner.

66.1315(1) (1) When title to real property has vested in a redevelopment corporation or city, the redevelopment corporation or city may agree with the previous owners of the property, any tenants continuing to occupy or use it, or any other persons who may occupy or use or seek to occupy or use the property, that the former owner, tenant or other persons may occupy or use the property upon the payment of a fixed sum of money for a definite term or upon the payment periodically of an agreed sum of money. The occupation or use may not be construed as a tenancy from month to month, nor require the giving of notice by the redevelopment corporation or the city for the termination of occupation or use or the right to occupation or use. Immediately upon the expiration of the term for which payment has been made the redevelopment corporation or city is entitled to possession of the real property and may maintain summary proceedings or obtain a writ of assistance, and is entitled to any other remedy provided by law for obtaining immediate possession. A former owner, tenant or other person occupying or using real property may not be required to give notice to the redevelopment corporation or city at the expiration of the term for which that person has made payment for occupation or use, as a condition to that person’s cessation of occupation or use and termination of liability.

66.1315(2) (2) If a city has acquired real property for a redevelopment corporation, the city shall, in transferring title to the redevelopment corporation, deduct from the consideration or other moneys which the redevelopment corporation has become obligated to pay to the city for this purpose, and credit the redevelopment corporation with, the amounts received by the city as payment for temporary occupation and use of the real property by a former owner, tenant, or other person, less the cost and expense incurred by the city for the maintenance and operation of the real property.

66.1315 History History: 1991 a. 316; 1999 a. 150 s. 417; Stats. 1999 s. 66.1315.

66.1317 66.1317 Urban redevelopment; borrowing; mortgages.

66.1317(1) (1) A redevelopment corporation may borrow funds and secure the repayment of the funds by mortgage. Every mortgage shall contain reasonable amortization provisions and may be a lien upon no other real property except that forming the whole or a part of a single development area.

66.1317(2) (2) 

66.1317(2)(a) (a) Certificates, bonds and notes, or part interests in, or any part of an issue of, these instruments, which are issued by a redevelopment corporation and secured by a first mortgage on all or part of the real property of the redevelopment corporation are securities in which all of the following persons, partnerships or corporations and public bodies or public officers may legally invest the funds within their control:

66.1317(2)(a)1. 1. Every personal representative, trustee, guardian, committee, or other person or corporation holding trust funds or acting in a fiduciary capacity.

66.1317(2)(a)2. 2. The state, its subdivisions, cities, all other public bodies and all public officers.

66.1317(2)(a)3. 3. Persons, partnerships and corporations organized under or subject to the provisions of the banking law, including savings banks, savings and loan associations, trust companies, bankers and private banking corporations.

66.1317(2)(a)4. 4. The division of banking as conservator, liquidator or rehabilitator of any person, partnership or corporation and persons, partnerships or corporations organized under or subject to chs. 600 to 646.

66.1317(2)(a)5. 5. The commissioner of insurance as conservator, liquidator or rehabilitator of any person, partnership or corporation.

66.1317(2)(b) (b) The principal amount of the securities described in par. (a) may not exceed the limits, if any, imposed by law for investments by the person, partnership, corporation, public body or public officer making the investment.

66.1317(3) (3) A mortgage on the real property in a development area may create a first lien, or a 2nd or other junior lien, upon the real property.

66.1317(4) (4) The limits as to principal amount secured by mortgage referred to in sub. (2) do not apply to certificates, bonds and notes, or part interests in, or any part of an issue of, these instruments, which are secured by first mortgage on real property in a development area, which the federal housing administrator has insured or has made a commitment to insure under the national housing act. A person, partnership, corporation, public body or public officer described in sub. (2) may receive and hold any debentures, certificates or other instruments issued or delivered by the federal housing administrator, pursuant to the national housing act, in compliance with the contract of insurance of a mortgage on all or part of real property in the development area.

66.1317 History History: 1977 c. 339 s. 43; 1979 c. 89; 1995 a. 27, 225; 1999 a. 150 ss. 418, 419; Stats. 1999 s. 66.1317; 2001 a. 102.

66.1319 66.1319 Urban redevelopment; sale or lease of land.

66.1319(1) (1) A local governing body may by resolution determine that real property, title to which is held by the city, specified and described in the resolution, is not required for use by the city and may authorize the city to sell or lease the real property to a redevelopment corporation, if the title of the city to the real property is not inalienable.

66.1319(2) (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of any law or ordinance, a sale or lease authorized under sub. (1) may be made without appraisal, public notice or public bidding for a price or rental amount and upon terms agreed upon between the city and the redevelopment corporation to carry out the purposes of ss. 66.1301 to 66.1329. The term of the lease may not exceed 60 years with a right of renewal upon the same terms.

66.1319(3) (3) Before any sale or lease to a redevelopment corporation is authorized, a public hearing shall be held by the local governing body to consider the proposed sale or lease.

66.1319(4) (4) Notice of such hearing shall be published as a class 2 notice, under ch. 985.

66.1319(5) (5) The deed or lease of real property shall be executed in the same manner as a deed or lease by the city of other real property owned by it and may contain appropriate conditions and provisions to enable the city to reenter the real property if the redevelopment corporation violates of any of the provisions of ss. 66.1301 to 66.1329 relating to the redevelopment corporation or violates the conditions or provisions of the deed or lease.

66.1319(6) (6) A redevelopment corporation purchasing or leasing real property from a city may not, without the written approval of the city, use the real property for any purpose except in connection with its development. The deed shall contain a condition that the redevelopment corporation will devote the real property only for the purposes of its development subject to the restrictions of ss. 66.1301 to 66.1329, for breach of which the city may reenter and repossess itself of the real property.

66.1319 History History: 1995 a. 225; 1999 a. 150 ss. 420, 421; Stats. 1999 s. 66.1319.

66.1321 66.1321 Urban redevelopment; city lease to, terms. If real property of a city is leased to a redevelopment corporation:

66.1321(1) (1) The lease may provide that all improvements shall be the property of the lessor.

66.1321(2) (2) The lessor may grant to the redevelopment corporation the right to mortgage the fee of the real property and enable the redevelopment corporation to give as security for its notes or bonds a first lien upon the land and improvements.

66.1321(3) (3) The execution of a lease does not impose upon the lessor any liability or obligation in connection with or arising out of the financing, construction, management or operation of a development involving the leased land. The lessor may not, by executing the lease, incur any obligation or liability with respect to the leased premises other than may devolve upon the lessor with respect to premises not owned by it. The lessor, by consenting to the execution by a redevelopment corporation of a mortgage upon the leased land, does not assume, and the consent may not be construed as imposing upon the lessor, any liability upon the note or bond secured by the mortgage.

66.1321(4) (4) The lease may reserve any easements or other rights in connection with the real property that are considered necessary or desirable for the future planning and development of the city and the extension of public facilities in the city, including the construction of subways and conduits and the widening and changing of grade of streets. The lease may contain any other provisions for the protection of the parties that are not inconsistent with the provisions of ss. 66.1301 to 66.1329.

66.1321 History History: 1995 a. 225; 1999 a. 150 s. 422; Stats. 1999 s. 66.1321.

66.1323 66.1323 Urban redevelopment; aids and appropriations.

66.1323(1) (1) A local governing body may appropriate moneys for the purpose of, and may borrow or accept grants from the federal or state governments or any of their agencies, for the acquisition of lands required to carry out the plan or the purposes mentioned in s. 66.1325. The local governing body may enter into contracts, mortgages, trust indentures or other agreements as the federal government requires.

66.1323(2) (2) A city may appropriate moneys for the purpose of making plans and surveys to carry out redevelopment and for any purpose required to carry out the intention of ss. 66.1301 to 66.1329.

66.1323 History History: 1999 a. 150 ss. 423, 424, 427.

66.1325 66.1325 Urban redevelopment; city improvements. For the purpose of aiding and cooperating in the planning, undertaking, construction or operation of any redevelopment plan located within the area in which it is authorized to act, a local governing body may, upon terms, with or without consideration, that it determines, do all of the following:

66.1325(1) (1) Cause parks, playgrounds, recreational, community, educational, water, sewer or drainage facilities, or any other works which it is otherwise empowered to undertake, to be furnished adjacent to or in connection with housing projects.

66.1325(2) (2) Furnish, dedicate, close, pave, install, grade, regrade, plan or replan streets, roads, roadways, alleys, sidewalks or other places which it is otherwise empowered to undertake.

66.1325 History History: 1999 a. 150 s. 425; Stats. 1999 s. 66.1325.

66.1327 66.1327 Urban redevelopment; construction of statute; conflict of laws; supplemental powers.

66.1327(1) (1) Sections 66.1301 to 66.1329 shall be construed liberally to effectuate the purposes of urban redevelopment, and the enumeration of specific powers does not operate to restrict the meaning of any general grant of power contained in ss. 66.1301 to 66.1329 or to exclude other powers comprehended in the general grant.

66.1327(2) (2) If ss. 66.1301 to 66.1329 are inconsistent with any other law, the provisions of these sections are controlling.

66.1327(3) (3) The powers conferred by ss. 66.1301 to 66.1329 are in addition and supplemental to the powers conferred by any other law.

66.1327 History History: 1999 a. 150 ss. 428, 429, 431, 433.

66.1329 66.1329 Urban redevelopment; enforcement of duties. If a redevelopment corporation fails to substantially comply with the development plan within the time limits for the completion of each stage, reasonable delays caused by unforeseen difficulties excepted, or violates or is about to violate ss. 66.1301 to 66.1329, the failure to comply or actual or possible violation may be certified by the planning commission to the city attorney of the city. The city attorney may commence a proceeding in the circuit court of the county in which the city is in whole or in part situated in the name of the city for the purpose of seeking appropriate relief. The court shall, immediately after a default in answering or after answer, inquire into the facts and circumstances in the manner that the court directs without other or formal proceedings, and without respect to any technical requirements. The court may join as parties any other persons it deems necessary or proper in order to make its order or judgment effective. The final judgment or order in the action or proceeding shall dismiss the action or proceeding or grant appropriate relief.

66.1329 History History: 1997 a. 187; 1999 a. 150 s. 413; Stats. 1999 s. 66.1329.

66.1331 66.1331 Blighted area law.

66.1331(1) (1) Short title. This section shall be known and may be cited and referred to as the “blighted area law.”

66.1331(2) (2) Findings and declaration of necessity. It is found and declared that there have existed and continue to exist in cities within the state, substandard, insanitary, deteriorated, slum and blighted areas which constitute a serious and growing menace, injurious and inimical to the public health, safety, morals and welfare of the residents of the state. The existence of these areas contributes substantially and increasingly to the spread of disease and crime (necessitating excessive and disproportionate expenditures of public funds for the preservation of the public health and safety, for crime prevention, correction, prosecution, punishment, and the treatment of juvenile delinquency and for the maintenance of adequate police, fire and accident protection, and other public services and facilities), constitutes an economic and social liability, substantially impairs or arrests the sound growth of cities, and retards the provision of housing accommodations. This menace is beyond remedy and control solely by regulatory process in the exercise of the police power and cannot be dealt with effectively by the ordinary operations of private enterprise without the aids provided in this section. The acquisition of property for the purpose of eliminating substandard, insanitary, deteriorated, slum or blighted conditions or preventing recurrence of these conditions in the area, the removal of structures and improvement of sites, the disposition of the property for redevelopment incidental to these activities, and any assistance which may be given by cities or any other public bodies, are public uses and purposes for which public money may be expended and the power of eminent domain exercised. The necessity in the public interest for the provisions of this section is declared as a matter of legislative determination.

66.1331(2m) (2m) 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.

66.1331(3) (3) Definitions. In this section, unless a different intent clearly appears from the context:

66.1331(3)(a) (a) “Blighted area” means any area, including a slum area, in which a majority of the structures are residential or in which there is a predominance of buildings or improvements, whether residential or nonresidential, and which, by reason of dilapidation, deterioration, age or obsolescence, inadequate provision for ventilation, light, air, sanitation, or open spaces, high density of population and overcrowding, or the existence of conditions which endanger life or property by fire and other causes, or any combination of these factors, is conducive to ill health, transmission of disease, infant mortality, juvenile delinquency and crime, and is detrimental to the public health, safety, morals or welfare.

66.1331(3)(c) (c) “Housing” includes housing, dwelling, habitation and residence.

66.1331(3)(d) (d) “Land” includes bare or vacant land, the land under buildings, structures or other improvements, and water and land under water. When employed in connection with “use”, for instance, “use of land” or “land use”, “land” includes buildings, structures and improvements existing or to be placed on land.

66.1331(3)(e) (e) “Lessee” includes the successors or assigns and successors in title of the lessee.

66.1331(3)(f) (f) “Local legislative body” means the board of alderpersons, common council, council, commission or other board or body vested by the charter of the city or other law with jurisdiction to enact ordinances or local laws.

66.1331(3)(g) (g) “Planning commission” means the board, commission or agency of the city authorized to prepare, adopt or amend or modify a master plan of the city.

66.1331(3)(h) (h) “Project area” means a blighted area or portion of a blighted area of such extent and location as adopted by the planning commission and approved by the local legislative body as an appropriate unit of redevelopment planning for a redevelopment project, separate from the redevelopment projects in other parts of the city. In the provisions of this section relating to leasing or sale by the city, for abbreviation “project area” is used for the remainder of the project area after taking out those pieces of property which have been or are to be transferred for public uses.

66.1331(3)(i) (i) “Public body” means the state or any city, county, town, village, board, commission, authority, district or any other subdivision or public body of the state.

66.1331(3)(j) (j) “Purchaser” includes the successors or assigns and successors in title of the purchaser.

66.1331(3)(k) (k) “Real property” includes land; land together with the buildings, structures, fixtures and other improvements on the land; liens, estates, easements and other interests in the land; and restrictions or limitations upon the use of land, buildings or structures, other than those imposed by exercise of the police power.

66.1331(3)(L) (L) “Redevelopment company” means a private or public corporation or body corporate, including a public housing authority, carrying out a plan under this section.

66.1331(3)(Lm) (Lm) “Redevelopment plan” means a plan for the acquisition, clearance, reconstruction, rehabilitation or future use of a redevelopment project area.

66.1331(3)(m) (m) “Redevelopment project” means any work or undertaking to acquire blighted areas or portions of blighted areas, and lands, structures, or improvements, the acquisition of which is necessary or incidental to the proper clearance or redevelopment of the areas or to the prevention of the spread or recurrence of slum conditions or conditions of blight in the areas; to clear blighted areas by demolition or removal of existing buildings, structures, streets, utilities, or other improvements; to install, construct, or reconstruct streets, utilities, and site improvements essential to the preparation of sites for uses in accordance with a redevelopment plan; or to sell, lease or otherwise make available land in blighted areas for residential, recreational, commercial, industrial or other use or for public use, or to retain the land for public use, in accordance with a redevelopment plan. “Redevelopment project” includes the preparation of a redevelopment plan, the planning, surveying, and other work incident to a redevelopment project, and the preparation of all plans and arrangements for carrying out a redevelopment project.

66.1331(3)(n) (n) “Rentals” means rents specified in a lease to be paid by the lessee to the city.

66.1331(4) (4) Power of cities.

66.1331(4)(a) (a) A city may exercise all powers necessary or convenient to carry out and effectuate the purposes and provisions of this section, including all of the following:

66.1331(4)(a)1. 1. Prepare redevelopment plans and undertake and carry out redevelopment projects within its corporate limits.

66.1331(4)(a)2. 2. Enter into any contracts determined by the local legislative body to be necessary to effectuate the purposes of this section.

66.1331(4)(a)3. 3. Within its boundaries, acquire by purchase, eminent domain or otherwise, any real or personal property or any interest in that property, together with any improvements, necessary or incidental to a redevelopment project; hold, improve, clear or prepare for redevelopment any such property; sell, lease, subdivide, retain for its own use, mortgage, or otherwise encumber or dispose of any such property or any interest in that property; enter into contracts with redevelopers of property containing covenants, restrictions, and conditions regarding the use of the property in accordance with a redevelopment plan and other covenants, restrictions and conditions that it deems necessary to prevent a recurrence of blighted areas or to effectuate the purposes of this section; and make any covenants, restrictions, conditions or covenants running with the land and provide appropriate remedies for their breach.

66.1331(4)(a)4. 4. Borrow money and issue bonds, and apply for and accept advances, loans, grants, contributions, and any other form of financial assistance from the federal, state or county government, or other public body or from any sources, for the purpose of this section; and give security as may be required and enter into and carry out contracts in connection with the security.

66.1331(4)(b) (b) Condemnation proceedings for the acquisition of real property necessary or incidental to a redevelopment project shall be conducted in accordance with ch. 32 or any other laws applicable to the city.

66.1331(4)(c) (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the local legislative body may designate, by ordinance or resolution, any local housing authority existing under ss. 66.1201 to 66.1211, any local redevelopment authority existing under s. 66.1333, or both jointly, or any local community development authority existing under s. 66.1335, as the agent of the city to perform any act, except the development of the general plan of the city, which may otherwise be performed by the planning commission under this section.

66.1331(5) (5) General and project area redevelopment plans.

66.1331(5)(a) (a) The planning commission shall make and develop a comprehensive or general plan of the city, including the appropriate maps, charts, tables and descriptive, interpretive and analytical matter. The plan shall serve as a general framework or guide of development within which the various area and redevelopment projects under this section may be more precisely planned and calculated. The plan shall include at least a land use plan which designates the proposed general distribution and general locations and extents of the uses of the land for housing, business, industry, recreation, education, public buildings, public reservations and other general categories of public and private uses of the land.

66.1331(5)(b) (b) For the exercise of the powers granted and for the acquisition and disposition of real property for the redevelopment of a project area, the following steps and plans are required:

66.1331(5)(b)1. 1. Designation by the planning commission of the boundaries of the project area proposed by it for redevelopment, submission of the boundaries to the local legislative body and the adoption of a resolution by the local legislative body declaring the area to be a blighted area in need of redevelopment.

66.1331(5)(b)2. 2. Adoption by the planning commission and approval by the local legislative body of the redevelopment plan of the project area. The redevelopment plan shall conform to the general plan of the city and shall be sufficiently complete to indicate its relationship to definite local objectives as to appropriate land uses, improved traffic, public transportation, public utilities, recreational and community facilities, and other public improvements in the project area. The plan shall include a statement of the boundaries of the project area; a map showing existing uses and conditions of real property in the area; a land use plan showing proposed uses of the area; information showing the standards of population density, land coverage, and building intensity in the area after redevelopment; a statement of proposed changes, if any, in zoning ordinances or maps and building codes and ordinances; a statement as to the kind and number of site improvements and additional public utilities which will be required to support the new land uses in the area after redevelopment; and a statement of a feasible method proposed for the relocation of families to be displaced from the project area.

66.1331(5)(b)3. 3. Approval of a redevelopment plan of a project area by the local legislative body may be given only after a public hearing conducted by it, and a finding by it that the plan is feasible and in conformity with the general plan of the city. Notice of the hearing, describing the time, date, place and purpose of the hearing and generally identifying the project area, shall be published as a class 2 notice, under ch. 985, the last insertion to be at least 10 days prior to the date set for the hearing. All interested parties shall be afforded a reasonable opportunity at the hearing to express their views respecting the proposed plan, but the hearing is only for the purpose of assisting the local legislative body in making its determination.

66.1331(5)(c) (c) In relation to the location and extent of public works and utilities, public buildings and other public uses in the general plan or in a project area plan, the planning commission shall confer with those public officials, boards, authorities and agencies under whose administrative jurisdictions the uses respectively fall.

66.1331(5)(d) (d) After a project area redevelopment plan of a project area has been adopted by the planning commission and approved by the local legislative body, the planning commission may certify the plan to the local legislative body. The local legislative body shall exercise the powers granted to it in this section for the acquisition and assembly of the real property of the area. Following certification, no new construction may be authorized by any agencies, boards or commissions of the city, in the area, unless as authorized by the local legislative body, including substantial remodeling or conversion or rebuilding, enlargement or extension of major structural improvements on existing buildings, but not including ordinary maintenance or remodeling or changes necessary to continue the occupancy.