Except where the context otherwise requires,
and in the absence of a more limiting provision is this chapter, "development"
means the performance of any building or mining operation or the making
of any material change in the use or appearance of any structure or
land. The following activities or uses shall be taken to involve development
unless expressly excluded by this chapter:
A. A change in type of use of a structure or land, or
a change from one use group to use in another group so designated
in this chapter.
B. A reconstruction, or alteration of the size, or material
change in the external appearance, of a structure or land.
C. A material increase in the intensity of use of land,
such as an increase in the number of businesses, manufacturing establishments,
offices, or dwelling units in a structure or on land.
D. Commencement of mining or excavation on a parcel of
land.
E. Demolition or moving of a structure or removal of
trees required by this chapter or by the subdivision regulations of
the City.
F. Deposit of refuse, solid or liquid waste, junk, or
fill on a parcel of land.
G. In connection with the use of land, the making of
any material change in noise levels, thermal conditions, emissions
of waste material, or other objectionable element.
H. Commencement or change in the location of street graphics
or use of land, and the commencement or change in location of advertising
on the external part of a structure.
I. Alteration of a shore, bank, or floodplain of a stream,
lake, pond, or artificial body of water.
J. Reestablishment of a nonconforming or conditional
use which has not been utilized for one year.
K. Departure from the normal use for which development
permission has been granted, or failure to comply with the conditions
of this chapter granting the development permission under which the
development was commenced or is continued.
L. Earth fill or other filling activities for the purpose
of raising the elevation of a lot or site for the purposes of future
development.
The following operations or uses do not constitute
development for the purposes of this chapter:
A. The maintenance or improvement of a public road or
railroad track not involving substantial engineering redesign if the
work is carried out on land within the boundaries of the right-of-way.
B. Work by any utility not involving substantial engineering
redesign for the purpose of inspection, repair, renewal, or construction
on established rights-of-way of any sewers, mains, pipes, cables,
utility tunnels, power lines, towers, poles, tracks, or the like.
C. Work for the maintenance, renewal, improvement, or
alteration of any structure, if the work affects only the interior
or the color of the structure or decoration of the exterior of the
structure (but does not otherwise materially affect the external appearance
of the structure).
D. The use of any structure or land devoted to dwelling
uses for any purposes customarily incidental to enjoyment of the dwelling.
E. The use of any land for the purpose of growing plants,
crops, trees, and other agricultural or forestry products or for other
agricultural purposes except the growing or storage of livestock.
F. A change in use of land or structure from a use within
a use group specified in this chapter to another use in the same group.
G. Official public information street graphics installed
by or at the direction of the City, Columbia County, or the State
of Wisconsin.