Grant County, WI Article VII Administration

§ 225-31 Grant County Conservation, Sanitation and Zoning Administrator.

A. The Grant County Conservation, Sanitation and Zoning Administrator shall be responsible for the administration of this chapter and may delegate issuing of abatement orders to the Grant County Health Department. The Grant County Zoning/Sanitation Technician shall assist the Administrator and/or the Grant County Conservation, Sanitation and Zoning Committee with the administration of this chapter.

B. In the administration of this chapter, the Grant County Conservation, Sanitation and Zoning Administrator shall have the following powers and duties to assure full and complete compliance with this chapter and related Wisconsin Statutes and Administrative Codes.

(1) Perform and/or delegate his or her responsibilities and duties to personnel employed by the Grant County Conservation, Sanitation and Zoning Department as considered appropriate by the County or state.

(2) Issue and enforce orders for correction to the responsible person(s), including but not limited to plumbers, soil testers, septic servicing providers, property owners, their agents or contractors.

(3) Advise applicants concerning the provisions of this chapter and assist them in preparing a permit application.

(4) Review POWTS sanitary permit applications for one- and two-family residences or as approved through agent status by the Department of Safety and Professional Services. Review Grant County permit applications for POWTS, nonplumbing sanitation systems or use permits pursuant to this chapter.

(5) Issue state and County sanitary permits and keep records of all permits issued, inspections made, work approved, official actions and report violations of this chapter to the Grant County District Attorney.

(6) Perform inspections for compliance pursuant to this chapter and related Wisconsin Statutes or Administrative Codes with access to any premises for the purpose of performing official duties between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or upon issuance of a special inspection warrant in accordance with § 66.0119(1) & (2), Wis. Stats.

(7) Administer and distribute grants obtained through the Wisconsin Fund Grant Program.

§ 225-32 Board of Adjustment.

The County Board Chairman is hereby directed to appoint a Board of Adjustment according to § 59.694, Wis. Stats., consisting of three members with staggered three-year terms and two alternate members with staggered three-year terms. The members shall all reside within Grant County and outside of limits of incorporated cities and villages; provided, however, that no two members may reside in the same town. The Board shall choose its own chairman and other officers as may be needed. Term of office shall be for three years beginning July 1. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term of any member whose term becomes vacant.

A. Procedures. The Board of Adjustment shall adopt such rules as it deems necessary for the conduct of business and may exercise all of the powers conferred on such boards by § 59.694, Wis. Stats.

(1) The Board shall 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 or administration of this chapter.

(2) The Board may authorize upon appeal, in specific cases, such variance from the terms of this chapter as will not be contrary to the public interest, where owing to special conditions a literal enforcement of the provisions of this chapter will result in unnecessary hardship and so that the spirit of this chapter shall be observed and substantial justice done. No variance shall have the effect of allowing standards lower than those required by state law.

B. Appeals to the Board. Appeals to the Board of Adjustment may be taken by a person who is aggrieved, by an officer, department, board or bureau of a municipality, affected by a decision of the Grant County Conservation, Sanitation and Zoning Administrator. Such appeal must be taken within 30 days of the date or written notice of the decision or order of the Grant County Conservation, Sanitation and Zoning Administrator, by filing with the office from whom the appeal is taken and with the Board of Adjustment, a notice of appeal specifying the grounds thereof. The Grant County Conservation, Sanitation and Zoning Administrator shall forthwith transmit to the Board all the papers constituting the record upon which the action appealed was taken.

C. Hearing of appeals.

(1) The Board of Adjustment shall fix a reasonable time for the hearing of an appeal, give public notice, and such notice shall be published in the official newspaper of Grant County by publishing a class two notice thereof as defined in Ch. 985, Wis. Stats., as well as due notice to the parties in interest, including mailing notice to the Department of Safety and Professional Services at least 10 days prior to the hearing date. Such notice shall specify the date, time, and place of the hearing and matters to come before the Board with decisions regarding the appeal made as soon as practicable. Any party may appear in person, by agent or attorney.

(2) The Secretary of the Board shall, in the form of a written resolution or order, sign the final disposition of an appeal or application to the Board of Adjustment. Such resolution shall state the specific facts that are the basis for the Board's determination and shall either affirm, reverse, vary or modify the order, requirement, decision or determination appealed, in whole or in part, dismiss the appeal for lack of jurisdiction or prosecution or grant the application. A copy of any decision granting a variance shall be mailed to the Department of Safety and Professional Services.