Village of Richfield, WI Environmental Corridor Overlay District

Where questions arise as to the exact location or boundary of an environmental corridor overlay district, the Zoning Administrator is authorized to use his or her best judgment to establish the boundary of the district. If the location of the district is not readily evident to the Zoning Administrator, he or she shall request a field investigation by the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC) staff biologist or his or her designee.

If the Zoning Administrator or SEWRPC staff determine that the area in question was incorrectly mapped as an environmental corridor, 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.

Vegetation management. Vegetation may be managed in the Environmental Corridor (EC) District to control invasive plant species and to facilitate other forest management objectives, provided that such activity is approved by the Plan Commission. Further, dead or diseased trees may be removed.

Development within district. A building envelope may be established within the Environmental Corridor (EC) District for a principal building and accessory buildings, as may be allowed; an area for an on-site septic system and well, as may be required; an area around the principal building for outdoor living; and an access from a public roadway to the principal and accessory buildings. The size and configuration of the building envelope shall conform to the following requirements:

(1)

For lots entirely within an Environmental Corridor (EC) District, the area of the building envelope shall be no larger than the amounts specified in the table below.

Lot Size	Maximum Land Disturbance
Less than 2 acres	19% of lot area
2 acres or larger, but less than 3.5 acres	18% of lot area
3.5 acres or larger	25,900 square feet

(2)

For lots partially within and partially outside of the Environmental Corridor (EC) District that are vacant as of July 21, 2022, or where the principal building is located outside of the Environmental Corridor Overlay District, new development shall be limited to the area outside of the Environmental Corridor Overlay District (except when such land is in the Floodplain Overlay District), unless a building envelope is shown on the face of an approved certified survey map or subdivision plat or on a site map recorded with a deed restriction as approved by the Plan Commission. Land within the Environmental Corridor Overlay District may be disturbed for driveways but only when such location is the only feasible alternative to provide access from the public roadway to the principal and accessory buildings.

(3)

For lots partially within and partially outside of the Environmental Corridor District that host a principal use as of July 21, 2022, in the Environmental Corridor Overlay District, the area of the building envelope shall comply with the amounts specified in the table in this subsection.