The purpose of a conditional use is to provide a reasonable
degree of discretion in determining the suitability of certain uses
of a special nature, so as to make impractical their predetermination
as a principal use in a district. The development and execution of
this article is based upon the division of the City of Colby into
zoning districts, within which districts the use of land and buildings,
and bulk and location of buildings and structures in relation to the
land, are mutually compatible and substantially uniform. However,
there are certain uses which, because of their unique characteristics,
cannot be properly classified as unrestricted permitted uses in any
particular district or districts without consideration, in each case,
of the impact of those uses upon neighboring land or public facilities
and of the public need for the particular use at a specific location.
Such uses, nevertheless, may be necessary or desirable to be allowed
in a particular district, provided that due consideration is given
to location, development and operation of such uses. Such uses are
classified as conditional uses and are those uses specifically designated
as conditional uses by the zoning district or which are classified
as a conditional use under the review procedures in this article.
The listing of a use as a conditional use is not a legislative determination
that the use is inherently in the public interest in that district.
[See All Energy Corp. v. Trempealeau County, 2017 WI 52 (2017)]
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. II)]
A. Authority; intent. The Common Council may authorize the Zoning Administrator
to issue a conditional use permit after review, public hearing, advisory
recommendation from the Planning Committee and approval from the Common
Council, provided that such conditional use and involved structure(s)
are found to be in accordance with the purpose and intent of this
chapter and are further found to be not hazardous, harmful, offensive
or otherwise adverse to the environment or the value of the neighborhood
or the community. Such Common Council action, and the resulting conditional
use permit, shall specify the period of time for which effective,
if specified; the name of the permittee; the location and legal description
of the affected premises. Prior to the granting of a conditional use,
the Common Council shall make findings based upon the evidence presented
that the standards herein prescribed are being complied with.
B. Conditional uses adjacent to freeways. Any development for which
a conditional use permit is requested within 500 feet of the existing
or proposed rights-of-way of freeways, expressways and within 1/2
mile of their existing or proposed interchange or turning lane rights-of-way
shall be specifically reviewed by the highway agency that has jurisdiction
over the trafficway. The Planning Committee and/or Common Council
shall request such review and await the highway agency's recommendation
for a period not to exceed 20 days before taking final action.
C. General authority to require conditions. Per §
480-36, conditions such as landscaping, architectural design, type of construction, construction commencement and completion dates, sureties, lighting, fencing, planting screens, operation control, hours of operation, improved traffic circulation, deed restrictions, highway access restrictions, increased yards or parking requirements may be recommended by the Planning Committee and required by the Common Council upon their finding that these are necessary to fulfill the purpose and intent of this chapter.
D. Compliance with other zoning conditions. Compliance with all other
provisions of this chapter, such as lot width and area, yards, height,
parking, loading, traffic, highway access and performance standards,
shall be required of all conditional uses.
Any person, firm, corporation or organization having a freehold
interest or a possessory interest entitled to exclusive possession,
or a contractual interest which may become a freehold interest or
an exclusive possessory interest, and which is specifically enforceable
in the land for which a conditional use permit is sought, may file
an application to use such land for one or more of the conditional
uses provided for in this article in the zoning district in which
such land is located, or for a conditional use substantially similar
to a listed conditional use.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. II)]
Upon receipt of the application and the information required by §
480-31 above, the request for a conditional use permit shall be placed on the agenda of the first Planning Committee meeting occurring after 10 days from the date of submission. The request shall be considered as being officially submitted when all the information requirements, including the payment of all applicable fees, are complied with. At such meeting, the Planning Committee shall make an advisory recommendation regarding the application, and a record of the proceedings shall be kept in such a manner and according to such procedures as the Planning Committee shall prescribe from time to time. The Common Council and/or Planning Committee can, on its own motion, apply conditional uses when applications for rezonings come before their bodies.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. II)]
When an advisory recommendation of denial of a conditional use
application is made by the Planning Committee or an actual denial
by the Common Council, the Planning Committee and/or Common Council
shall furnish the applicant, in writing, those standards that are
not met and enumerate reasons the Planning Committee and/or Common
Council has used in determining that each standard was not met. Such
findings may be in the form of meeting minutes.
The following conditions shall apply to all conditional uses:
A. Conditions. Prior to the granting of any conditional use, the Planning Committee may recommend and the Common Council may stipulate such conditions and restrictions upon the establishment, location, construction, maintenance and operation of the conditional use as deemed necessary to promote the public health, safety and general welfare of the community, and to secure compliance with the standards and requirements specified in §
480-34 above. Any condition imposed must be related to the purpose of the zoning code and be based on substantial evidence. In all cases in which conditional uses are granted, the Planning Committee may recommend and the Common Council shall require such evidence and guarantees as deemed necessary as proof that the conditions stipulated in connection therewith are being and will be complied with. Such conditions may include specifications for, without limitation because of specific enumeration:
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. II)]
(3) Construction commencement and completion dates;
(14)
Specified sewage disposal and water supply systems;
(18)
Conditions pertaining to permit duration, transfer or renewal;
or
(19)
Any other requirements necessary to fulfill the purpose and
intent of this chapter.
B. Site review. In reviewing each application and making its recommendation,
the Planning Committee shall evaluate each application and may request
assistance from any source which can provide technical assistance.
The Planning Committee may review the site, existing and proposed
structures, architectural plans, neighboring uses, parking areas,
driveway locations, highway access, traffic generation and circulation,
drainage, sewerage and water systems and the proposed operation/use.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. II)]
C. Signage. Signage shall be in compliance with municipal sign regulations.
D. Extent of use. At no time shall the proposed conditional use utilize
more than 35% of the gross floor area of the conforming use.
E. Alteration of conditional use. No alteration of a conditional use
shall be permitted unless first approved by the Common Council.
F. Architectural treatment. Proposed architectural treatment will be
in general harmony with surrounding uses and the landscape. To this
end, the Common Council may require the use of certain general types
of exterior construction materials and/or architectural treatment.
G. Sloped sites; unsuitable soils. Where slopes exceed 6% and/or where
a use is proposed to be located on areas indicated as having soils
that are unsuitable or marginal for development, on-site soil tests
and/or construction plans shall be provided that clearly indicate
that the soil conditions are adequate to accommodate the development
contemplated and/or that any inherent soil condition or slope problems
will be overcome by special construction techniques. Such special
construction might include, among other techniques, terracing, retaining
walls, oversized foundations and footings, drain tile, etc.
H. Conditional uses to comply with other requirements. Conditional uses
shall comply with all other provisions of this chapter such as lot
width and area, yards, height, parking and loading. No conditional
use permit shall be granted where the proposed use is deemed to be
inconsistent or conflicting with neighboring uses for reasons of smoke,
dust, odors, noise, vibration, lighting, health hazards or significant
potential of accidents.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. II)]
A. Planning Committee advisory recommendation.
(1) Following referral of conditional use permit applications, the Planning
Committee may recommend that the Common Council authorize the Zoning
Administrator to issue a conditional use permit for conditional uses
specified in this chapter after review and a public hearing, provided
such uses are in accordance with the purpose and intent of this chapter,
and, more specifically, the standards for conditional uses established
in this article.
(2) The Planning Committee shall make findings of fact and recommend
such actions or conditions relating to the request as the Committee
deems necessary to carry out the intent and purpose of this chapter.
B. Common Council action.
(1) Upon receiving the recommendation of the Planning Committee, the Common Council shall place such recommendation(s) on the agenda for the next subsequent Council regular meeting. Such recommendations, including findings of standards not met as required by §
480-36, shall be entered in and made part of the permanent written record of the Common Council.
(2) If, upon receiving the recommendations of the Planning Committee,
the Common Council finds that specific inconsistencies exist in the
review process or significant new facts have now been made available
and thus the final determination of the Common Council will differ
from the advisory recommendation of the Planning Committee, the Common
Council shall, before taking final action, refer the matter back to
the Planning Committee with the written record or separate statement/report
explaining the specific reasons for referral. This referral action
shall only be permitted one time with each conditional use permit
application.
(3) At the Common Council's discretion, the Council shall have the option
to set and hold an additional public hearing at the next subsequent
Common Council meeting. Such hearing shall be noticed and conducted
as prescribed in this chapter in compliance with the requirements
of this chapter and the Wisconsin Statutes. The Common Council shall
make, and record in the minutes of the Council or in a separate statement/report,
findings of fact and may impose and require any conditions the Common
Council considers necessary to protect the public health, safety and
welfare when approving and issuing a conditional use permit. The Common
Council's decision to approve or deny the permit must be supported
by substantial evidence.
C. Reapplication. No application for a conditional use permit which
has been denied in whole or in part by the Common Council shall be
resubmitted for a period of one year from the date of such denial,
except on the grounds that substantial new evidence or proof of changes
that would result in compliance with applicable conditions is included
in the resubmitted application.
The Common Council shall retain continuing jurisdiction over all conditional uses for the purpose of resolving complaints against all previously approved conditional uses. Such authority shall be in addition to the enforcement authority of the Zoning Administrator to order the removal or discontinuance of any unauthorized alterations of an approved conditional use, and the elimination, removal or discontinuance of any violation of a condition imposed prior to or after approval or violation of any other provision of this code. Upon written complaint by any citizen or official, the Common Council shall initially determine whether said complaint indicates a reasonable probability that the subject conditional use is in violation of either one or more of the standards set forth in §
480-34 above, a condition of approval or other requirement imposed hereunder. Upon reaching a positive initial determination, a hearing shall be held upon notice as provided in §
480-33 above. Any person may appear at such hearing and testify in person or be represented by an agent or attorney. The Common Council may, in order to bring the subject conditional use into compliance with the standards set forth in §
480-34 or conditions previously imposed by the Common Council, modify existing conditions upon such use and impose additional reasonable conditions upon the subject conditional use as provided in §
480-37. Additionally, the offending party may be subjected to a forfeiture as set forth in this chapter and §
1-3, General penalty, of the City Code. In the event that no reasonable modification of such conditional use can be made in order to assure that standards in §
480-34A and
B will be met, the Common Council may revoke the subject conditional approval and direct the Zoning Administrator and the City Attorney to seek elimination of the subject use. Following any such hearing, the decision of the Common Council shall be furnished to the current owner of the conditional use in writing stating the reasons therefor. An appeal from a decision of the Common Council under this section may be taken to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
The following uses may be allowed by conditional use permit
in accordance with this article.
A. In the R-1 Residential District:
(1) Cemeteries, crematoriums and mausoleums.
(2) Charitable and nonprofit institutions.
(4) Churches, rectories, seminaries, convents, monasteries, including
any other uses incidental to them.
(5) Community swimming pools.
(6) Educational institutions.
(9) Public service uses:
(a)
Filtration plant, pumping station and water reservoir.
(c)
Police and fire stations.
(e)
Electric substation and booster stations.
(10)
Railroad rights-of-way and trackage, but not including classification
yards, terminal facilities and maintenance facilities.
(11)
Temporary real estate offices.
(12)
Sheltered care elderly units.
B. In the R-2 Residential District. In addition to conditional uses
permitted in the R-1 District, the following uses may also be permitted
in the R-2 District:
(2) Rest homes and nursing homes.
(3) Hospitals and sanitariums.
(4) One-family detached dwellings.
(5) Wholesale nursery operations.
(6) The sale of products produced on the premises only from temporary
stands or existing operations structures.
(7) Cemeteries, crematoriums and mausoleums.
(8) Churches, rectories, parish houses and convents.
(9) Golf courses, provided that no clubhouse or accessory building be
located nearer than 500 feet to any dwelling. In addition, no in-bound
area for normal golf activity shall be located nearer than 150 feet
to any dwelling unit.
(10)
Institution for the aged.
(11)
Educational institutions.
(12)
Public service uses:
(a)
Filtration plant, pumping station and water reservoir.
(c)
Police and fire stations.
(e)
Electric substation and booster stations.
(g)
Other governmental uses found by the Common Council to be necessary
for the public health, safety and welfare.
(13)
Private clubs and lodges, provided they are not carried out
as a business.
(14)
Rest homes, nursing homes, hospitals and sanitariums.
Pursuant to § 66.1001(2m)(b), Wis. Stats., a conditional
use permit that may be issued by the City of Colby does not need to
be consistent with the City Comprehensive Plan.
Any action of the Common Council in granting or denying a conditional use permit application may be appealed to the Zoning Board of Appeals. In the alternative, any action of the Common Council in denying a conditional use permit application may be appealed directly to Circuit Court per § 62.23(7)(e)10., Wis. Stats. In the case of appeals to the Zoning Board of Appeals, a written request shall be made within 10 days after the date of the Common Council's action granting or denying the permit. Such request for appeal to the Zoning Board of Appeals shall be filed and reviewed pursuant to the procedures in Article
XIV of this chapter.