The Village Board makes the following legislative findings relating
to the Shoreland-Wetland Overlay District:
A. Villages are required by § 61.351, Wis. Stats., to adopt
shoreland-wetland zoning regulations within six months after receipt
of final Wetland Inventory Maps prepared by the Wisconsin Department
of Natural Resources.
B. The Village incorporated as a Village on February 18, 2008.
C. The Village adopted zoning regulations on November 12, 1985, which
included shoreland-wetland regulations and the Wetland Inventory Maps
with a date of November 12, 1985.
D. Uncontrolled use of the shoreland-wetlands and pollution of the navigable
waters of the municipality would adversely affect the public health,
safety, and general welfare and impair the tax base.
This article promotes the public health, safety, and welfare
and is intended to:
A. Maintain the storm- and floodwater storage capacity of wetlands;
B. Prevent and control water pollution by preserving wetlands which
filter or store sediments, nutrients, heavy metals or organic compounds
that would otherwise drain into navigable waters;
C. Protect fish, their spawning grounds, other aquatic life and wildlife
by preserving wetlands and other aquatic habitat;
D. Prohibit certain uses detrimental to the shoreland-wetland area;
and
E. Preserve shore cover and natural beauty by restricting the removal
of natural shoreland cover and controlling shoreland-wetland excavation,
filling, and other earthmoving activities.
In the context of this article, wetlands serve the following
important functions:
A. Storm- and floodwater storage capacity;
B. Maintenance of dry season stream flow or the discharge of groundwater
to a wetland, the recharge of groundwater from a wetland to another
area or the flow of groundwater through a wetland;
C. Filtering or storage of sediments, nutrients, heavy metals, or organic
compounds that would otherwise drain into navigable waters;
D. Shoreline protection against erosion;
E. Fish spawning, breeding, nursery or feeding grounds;
G. Areas of special recreational, scenic or scientific interest, including
scarce wetland types and habitat of endangered species.
If the Zoning Administrator believes there is a discrepancy
between the Wetland Inventory Map and actual field conditions at the
time the map was adopted, he or she shall contact the district office
of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and request a determination.
If the Department determines that the area in question was incorrectly
mapped as a wetland, this article shall not apply to such area. As
soon as is practical after such determination, the Zoning Administrator
shall submit an application to amend the Zoning Map consistent with
the procedures and requirements in this chapter.
Upon issuance of a zoning permit, the following uses are allowed,
which may involve wetland alterations but only to the extent specifically
allowed:
A. The construction and maintenance of roads which are necessary for
the continuity of the municipal street system, the provision of essential
utility and emergency services, or to provide access to uses permitted
in this section, provided that:
(1)
The road cannot, as a practical matter, be located outside the
wetland;
(2)
The road is designed and constructed to minimize adverse impacts upon the natural functions of the wetland listed in §
170.1302;
(3)
The road is designed and constructed with the minimum cross-sectional
area practical to serve the intended use;
(4)
Road construction activities are carried out in the immediate
area of the roadbed only; and
(5)
Any wetland alteration must be necessary for the construction
or maintenance of the road.
B. The construction and maintenance of nonresidential buildings provided
that:
(1)
The building is used solely in conjunction with a use permitted
in the Shoreland-Wetland District or for the raising of waterfowl,
minnows, or other wetland or aquatic animals;
(2)
The building cannot, as a practical matter, be located outside
the wetland;
(3)
The building does not exceed 500 square feet in floor area;
and
(4)
Only limited filling and excavating necessary to provide structural
support for the building is allowed.
C. The establishment and development of public and private parks and
recreation areas, outdoor education areas, historic, natural and scientific
areas, game refuges and closed areas, fish and wildlife habitat improvement
projects, game bird and animal farms, wildlife preserves and public
boat launching ramps, provided that:
(1)
Any private development allowed under this subsection shall
be used exclusively for the permitted purpose;
(2)
Only limited filling and excavating necessary for the development
of public boat launching ramps, swimming beaches or the construction
of park shelters or similar structures is allowed;
(3)
The construction and maintenance of roads necessary for the uses permitted under this subsection are allowed only where such construction and maintenance meets the criteria in Subsection
A above; and
(4)
Wetland alterations in game refuges and closed areas, fish and
wildlife habitat improvement projects, game bird and animal farms
and wildlife preserves shall be for the purpose of improving wildlife
habitat or to otherwise enhance wetland values.
D. The construction and maintenance of electric and telephone transmission
lines, water and gas distribution lines and sewage collection lines
and related facilities and the construction and maintenance of railroad
lines provided that:
(1)
The utility transmission and distribution facilities and railroad
lines cannot, as a practical matter, be located outside the wetland;
(2)
Only limited filling or excavating necessary for such construction
or maintenance is allowed; and
(3)
Such construction or maintenance is done in a manner designed to minimize adverse impacts upon the natural functions of the wetland listed in §
170.1302.
Any use not listed in this article as being permitted, is prohibited.
The use of a boathouse for human habitation and the construction or
placement of a boathouse or fixed houseboat below the ordinary high-water
mark of any navigable waters are strictly prohibited.