A. 
This chapter is adopted for the purpose of preserving and promoting the public health, safety, morals, comfort, convenience, prosperity and general welfare of the people of the City and environs. This includes, among others, physical, aesthetic, spiritual and monetary values.
B. 
It is recognized that there may now be, or may in the future be, residential and residential-related buildings, structures, yards or vacant areas and combinations thereof which are so dilapidated, unsafe, dangerous, unhygienic, overcrowded, inadequately maintained or lacking in basic equipment or facilities, light, ventilation and heating so as to constitute a menace to the health, safety and general welfare of the people. The establishment and enforcement of minimum housing and property maintenance standards is necessary to preserve and promote the private and public interest.
A. 
Hearing and opportunity to be heard. Upon filing a written petition for hearing in connection with any order or notice pursuant to this chapter or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto, the person affected may request a hearing by filing a written petition on a form provided therefor in the Planning Department. Such petition shall set forth a statement of the grounds therefor and be filed with the Planning Department within 20 days after the day on which the notice or order was served. The petition shall be accompanied by a fee as set forth in the City of Onalaska Fee Schedule.[1] Within 45 days of receipt of the petition, the Board of Zoning Appeals shall hold a hearing. At such hearing, the petitioner shall be given an opportunity to be heard and show cause why such notice should be modified or withdrawn. The Board of Zoning Appeals may postpone the date of the hearing for a reasonable time beyond such forty-five-day period if, in its judgment, the petitioner has submitted good and sufficient reason for such postponement.
[1]
Editor's Note: The current Fee Schedule is on file in the City offices.
B. 
Board of Zoning Appeals to sustain, modify or withdraw notices. After such hearing, the Board of Zoning Appeals shall sustain, modify or withdraw the notice, depending upon its findings as to whether the provisions of this chapter and of the rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto have been complied with. The Board of Zoning Appeals may also modify any notice so as to authorize a variance from the provisions of this chapter when, because of special conditions, a literal enforcement of the provisions of this chapter will result in practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship, provided that the spirit of this chapter will be observed, public health and welfare secured and substantial justice done. If the Board of Zoning Appeals sustains or modifies such notice, it shall be deemed to be an order and the owner, operator or occupant, as the case may require, shall comply with all provisions of such order within six months, as determined by the said Board of Zoning Appeals. The proceedings of any such hearing, including the findings and decision of the Board of Zoning Appeals, shall be set forth in writing and maintained as a matter of public record in its office. A copy of the decision shall be mailed to the person who filed the petition.
C. 
Court review. Any person or persons jointly or severally aggrieved by the decision of the Board of Zoning Appeals, or any resident, or any officer, department, board or commission of the municipality, may seek relief therefrom by having the decision reviewed by the Circuit Court by certiorari, provided the petition for the writ is presented to the Court within 30 days after the date on which said Board of Zoning Appeal's decision was mailed to the person who filed the petition for the hearing. Persons seeking such a writ shall give notice of intention to do so by serving on the Board of Zoning Appeals a written notice within 10 days of the date of mailing of the Board of Zoning Appeals's decision. The petition to the Court duly verified shall set forth that such decision is illegal in whole or in part and does not comply with the provisions of Subsection B and shall specify the grounds thereof.