62.23(7)(d)2m.a.a. In case of a protest against an amendment proposed under subd. 2., duly signed and acknowledged by the owners of 20% or more either of the areas of the land included in such proposed amendment, or by the owners of 20% or more of the area of the land immediately adjacent extending 100 feet therefrom, or by the owners of 20% or more of the land directly opposite thereto extending 100 feet from the street frontage of such opposite land, such amendment shall not become effective except by the favorable vote of three-fourths of the members of the council voting on the proposed change.

62.23(7)(d)2m.b. b. In any city which is not located in whole or in part in a county with a population of 500,000 or more, if a proposed amendment under subd. 2. would make any change in an airport affected area, as defined under sub. (6) (am) 1. b. and the owner or operator of the airport bordered by the airport affected area protests against the amendment, the amendment shall not become effective except by the favorable vote of two-thirds of the members of the council voting on the proposed change.

62.23(7)(d)3. 3. The council may repeal or repeal and reenact the entire district plan and all zoning regulations in accordance with subd. 1. The council may repeal or repeal and reenact a part or parts of the district plan and regulations in accordance with subds. 2. and 2m.

62.23(7)(d)4. 4. The city council shall maintain a list of persons who submit a written request to receive notice of any proposed zoning action that may be taken under subd. 1. a. or b. or 2. that affects the allowable use of the person's property. If the plan commission, the board of public land commissioners, or city plan committee of the city council completes action on any tentative recommendations that are noticed under subd. 1. a., proposed changes to a proposed district plan and regulations that are submitted under subd. 1. b., or proposed amendments that are submitted under subd. 2., and the city council is prepared to vote on the tentative recommendations, proposed changes to a proposed district plan, and regulations or proposed amendments, the city council shall send a notice, which contains a copy of the tentative recommendations, proposed changes to a proposed district plan, and regulations or proposed amendments, to each person on the list whose property, the allowable use of which, may be affected by the tentative recommendations or proposed changes or amendments. The notice shall be by mail or in any reasonable form that is agreed to by the person and the city council. The city council may charge each person on the list who receives a notice a fee that does not exceed the approximate cost of providing the notice to the person. An ordinance or amendment that is subject to this subdivision may take effect even if the city council fails to send the notice that is required by this subdivision.

62.23(7)(da) (da) Interim zoning. The common council of any city which has not adopted a zoning ordinance may, without referring the matter to the plan commission, enact an interim zoning ordinance to preserve existing uses while the comprehensive zoning plan is being prepared. Such ordinance may be enacted as is an ordinary ordinance but shall be effective for no longer than 2 years after its enactment.

62.23(7)(e)1.1. The council which enacts zoning regulations pursuant to this section shall by ordinance provide for the appointment of a board of appeals, and shall provide in such regulations that said board of appeals may, in appropriate cases and subject to appropriate conditions and safeguards, make special exceptions to the terms of the ordinance in harmony with its general purpose and intent and in accordance with general or specific rules therein contained. Nothing in this subdivision shall preclude the granting of special exceptions by the city plan commission or the common council in accordance with the zoning regulations adopted pursuant to this section which were in effect on July 7, 1973 or adopted after that date.

62.23(7)(e)2. 2. The board of appeals shall consist of 5 members appointed by the mayor subject to confirmation of the common council for terms of 3 years, except that of those first appointed one shall serve for one year, 2 for 2 years and 2 for 3 years. The members of the board shall serve at such compensation to be fixed by ordinance, and shall be removable by the mayor for cause upon written charges and after public hearing. The mayor shall designate one of the members as chairperson. The board may employ a secretary and other employees. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired terms of members whose terms become vacant. The mayor shall appoint, for staggered terms of 3 years, 2 alternate members of such board, in addition to the 5 members above provided for. Annually, the mayor shall designate one of the alternate members as 1st alternate and the other as 2nd alternate. The 1st alternate shall act, with full power, only when a member of the board refuses to vote because of interest or when a member is absent. The 2nd alternate shall so act only when the 1st alternate so refuses or is absent or when more than one member of the board so refuses or is absent. The above provisions, with regard to removal and the filling of vacancies, shall apply to such alternates.

62.23(7)(e)3. 3. The board shall adopt rules in accordance with the provisions of any ordinance adopted pursuant to this section. Meetings of the board shall be held at the call of the chairperson and at such other times as the board may determine. The chairperson, or in the chairperson's absence, the acting chairperson, may administer oaths and compel the attendance of witnesses. All meetings of the board shall be open to the public. The board shall keep minutes of its proceedings, showing the vote of each member upon each question, or, if absent or failing to vote, indicating such 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.

62.23(7)(e)3m. 3m. If a quorum is present, the board of appeals may take action under this subsection by a majority vote of the members present.

62.23(7)(e)4. 4. Appeals to the board of appeals may be taken by any person aggrieved or by any officer, department, board or bureau of the city affected by any decision of the administrative officer. Such appeal shall be taken within a reasonable time, as provided by the rules of the board, by filing with the officer from whom the appeal is taken and with the board of appeals a notice of appeal specifying the grounds thereof. The officer from whom the appeal is taken shall forthwith transmit to the board all the papers constituting the record upon which the action appealed from was taken.

62.23(7)(e)5. 5. An appeal shall stay all legal proceedings in furtherance of the action appealed from, unless the officer from whom the appeal is taken certifies to the board of appeals after the notice of appeal shall have been filed with the officer, that by reason of facts stated in the certificate a stay would, in the officer's opinion, cause imminent peril to life or property. In such case proceedings shall not be stayed otherwise than by a restraining order which may be granted by the board of appeals or by a court of record on application, on notice to the officer from whom the appeal is taken, and on due cause shown.

62.23(7)(e)6. 6. The board of appeals shall fix a reasonable time for the hearing of the appeal or other matter referred to it, and give public notice thereof, as well as due notice to the parties in interest, and decide the same within a reasonable time. Upon the hearing any party may appear in person or by agent or by attorney. In any action involving a listed property, as defined in s. 44.31 (4), the board shall consider any suggested alternatives or recommended decision submitted by the landmarks commission or the planning commission.

62.23(7)(e)7. 7. The board of appeals shall have the following powers: To hear and decide appeals where it is alleged there is error in any order, requirement, decision or determination made by an administrative official in the enforcement of this section or of any ordinance adopted pursuant thereto; to hear and decide special exception to the terms of the ordinance upon which such board is required to pass under such ordinance; to authorize upon appeal in specific cases such variance from the terms of the ordinance as will not be contrary to the public interest, where, owing to special conditions, a literal enforcement of the provisions of the ordinance will result in practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship, so that the spirit of the ordinance shall be observed, public safety and welfare secured, and substantial justice done. The council of a city may enact an ordinance specifying an expiration date for a variance granted under this subdivision if that date relates to a specific date by which the action authorized by the variance must be commenced or completed. If no such ordinance is in effect at the time a variance is granted, or if the board of appeals does not specify an expiration date for the variance, a variance granted under this subdivision does not expire unless, at the time it is granted, the board of appeals specifies in the variance a specific date by which the action authorized by the variance must be commenced or completed. An ordinance enacted after April 5, 2012, may not specify an expiration date for a variance that was granted before April 5, 2012. A variance granted under this subdivision runs with the land. The board may permit in appropriate cases, and subject to appropriate conditions and safeguards in harmony with the general purpose and intent of the ordinance, a building or premises to be erected or used for such public utility purposes in any location which is reasonably necessary for the public convenience and welfare.

62.23(7)(e)8. 8. In exercising the above mentioned powers such board may, in conformity with the provisions of such section, reverse or affirm, wholly or partly, or may modify the order, requirement, decision or determination appealed from, and may make such order, requirement, decision or determination as ought to be made, and to that end shall have all the powers of the officer from whom the appeal is taken, and may issue or direct the issue of a permit.

62.23(7)(e)10. 10. Any person or persons, jointly or severally aggrieved by any decision of the board of appeals, or any taxpayer, or any officer, department, board or bureau of the municipality, may, within 30 days after the filing of the decision in the office of the board of appeals, commence an action seeking the remedy available by certiorari. The court shall not stay proceedings upon the decision appealed from, but may, on application, on notice to the board of appeals and on due cause shown, grant a restraining order. The board of appeals shall not be required to return the original papers acted upon by it, but it shall be sufficient to return certified or sworn copies thereof. If necessary for the proper disposition of the matter, the court may take evidence, or appoint a referee to take evidence and report findings of fact and conclusions of law as it directs, which shall constitute a part of the proceedings upon which the determination of the court shall be made. The court may reverse or affirm, wholly or partly, or may modify, the decision brought up for review.

62.23(7)(e)14. 14. Costs shall not be allowed against the board unless it shall appear to the court that the board acted with gross negligence or in bad faith, or with malice, in making the decision appealed from.

62.23(7)(e)15. 15. All issues in any proceedings under this section shall have preference over all other civil actions and proceedings.

62.23(7)(em) (em) Historic preservation. A city, as an 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 by ordinance, or if a city contains any property that is listed on the national register of historic places in Wisconsin or the state register of historic places shall, not later than 1995, enact an ordinance to regulate, any place, structure or object with a special character, historic, archaeological or aesthetic interest, or other significant value, for the purpose of preserving the place, structure or object and its significant characteristics. A city may create a landmarks commission to designate historic or archaeological landmarks and establish historic districts. The city may regulate, or if the city contains any property that is listed on the national register of historic places in Wisconsin or the state register of historic places shall regulate, all historic or archaeological landmarks and all property within each historic district to preserve the historic or archaeological landmarks and property within the district and the character of the district.

62.23(7)(f)1.1. The council may provide by ordinance for the enforcement of this section and of any ordinance or regulation made thereunder. In case of a violation of this section or of such ordinance or regulation such council may provide for the punishment by fine and by imprisonment for failure to pay such fine. It is also empowered to provide civil penalties for such violation.

62.23(7)(f)2. 2. In case any building or structure is or is proposed to be erected, constructed, reconstructed, altered, converted or maintained, or any building, structure or land is or is proposed to be used in violation of this section or of any ordinance or other regulation made under authority conferred hereby, the proper authorities of the city, or any adjacent or neighboring property owner who would be specially damaged by such violation may, in addition to other remedies, institute appropriate action or proceedings to prevent such unlawful erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, conversion, maintenance or use; to restrain, correct or abate such violation; to prevent the occupancy of said building, structure or land; or to prevent any illegal act, conduct, business or use in or about such premises.

62.23(7)(g) (g) Conflict with other laws. Wherever the regulations made under authority of this section require a greater width or size of yards, courts or other open spaces, or require a lower height of building or less number of stories, or require a greater percentage of lot to be left unoccupied, or impose other higher standards than are required in any other statute or local ordinance or regulation, the provisions of the regulations made under authority of this section shall govern. Wherever the provisions of any other statute or local ordinance or regulation require a greater width or size of yards, courts or other open spaces, or require a lower height of building or a less number of stories, or require a greater percentage of lot to be left unoccupied, or impose other higher standards than are required by the regulations made under authority of this section, the provisions of such statute or local ordinance or regulation shall govern.

62.23(7)(gm) (gm) Permits. Neither the city council, nor the city plan commission, nor the city plan committee of the city council, nor the board of appeals may condition or withhold approval of a permit under this section based upon the property owner entering into a contract, or discontinuing, modifying, extending, or renewing any contract, with a 3rd party under which the 3rd party is engaging in a lawful use of the property.

62.23(7)(h) (h) Nonconforming uses. The continued lawful use of a building, premises, structure, or fixture existing at the time of the adoption or amendment of a zoning ordinance may not be prohibited although the use does not conform with the provisions of the ordinance. The nonconforming use may not be extended. The total structural repairs or alterations in such a nonconforming building, premises, structure, or fixture shall not during its life exceed 50 percent of the assessed value of the building, premises, structure, or fixture unless permanently changed to a conforming use. If the nonconforming use is discontinued for a period of 12 months, any future use of the building, premises, structure, or fixture shall conform to the ordinance.