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City of Muskego, WI
Waukesha County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
A. 
Approval required. Uses listed as permitted by conditional grant may be permitted in the district in which listed upon petition for such grant to the Plan Commission and subject to the approval of the Commission and to such other conditions as hereinafter designated.
B. 
Basis for approval. The Plan Commission shall base its determination on general considerations as to the effect of such grant on the health, general welfare, safety and economic prosperity of the City and specifically of the immediate neighborhood in which such use would be located, including such considerations as the effect on the established character and quality of the area, its physical attractiveness, the movement of traffic, the demand for related services, the possible hazardous, harmful, noxious, offensive or nuisance effect as a result of noise, dust, smoke or odor and such other factors as would be appropriate to carrying out the intent of conditional grants.
A. 
Petition. A request for conditional use grant shall be submitted in writing to the Public Works and Development Department which shall promptly refer such petition to the Plan Commission for determination. Such petition shall be accompanied by appropriate data and information necessary for proper evaluation of the request, including specifically the following:
(1) 
An accurate map of the property, including indication of general terrain and topographical characteristics, the location of all significant terrain features such as streams, ponds, tree growths, etc., and the location of all existing structures.
(2) 
An accurate and complete written description of the use for which conditional grant is being requested, including pertinent statistics and operational characteristics.
(3) 
Plans and other drawings showing proposed development of the site and buildings, including landscape plans, location of parking and service areas, driveways, exterior lighting, type of building material, etc.
B. 
Public hearing. Upon referral of the petition the Plan Commission shall schedule a public hearing thereon as soon as practical.
C. 
Determination. Following public hearing and necessary study and investigation, the Plan Commission shall as soon as practical render its decision in writing and a copy shall be made a permanent part of the Commission's records. Such decision shall include an accurate description of the use permitted, of the property on which permitted, and any and all conditions made applicable thereto, or, if disapproved, shall indicate the reasons for disapproval.
D. 
Mapping and recording. When conditional grant is approved, the building and occupancy and zoning permits shall be applicable solely to the structures, use and property so described. Indication of such grant shall also be made on the Zoning Map by appropriate code number or symbol.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
A. 
Standard requirements.
(1) 
Except as may be specifically otherwise provided, any such use shall conform to the building location, height, building size, lot size, and open space regulations of the district in which it is located.
(2) 
Building, site and operation plans of the proposed use shall be submitted for approval of the Plan Commission. Such plans shall be in sufficient detail to enable the Commission to evaluate the suitability of architectural and landscape treatment; the proper location of the building or buildings on the lot; the satisfactory provision for parking and circulation needs, for drainage and sewage disposal, for adequate planting screen where necessary, and for operational control devices where necessary to eliminate noise, dust, odor, smoke, or other objectionable operating condition; and the general compatibility of the proposed use with the area in which it is located.
B. 
Special requirements. In addition to the general standards and requirements as stated in this section, such conditional uses shall be subject to more specific standards and requirements pertinent to the particular use, which standards and requirements may be set out in a supplementary guide for conditional use regulation adopted by the Commission and modified from time to time in order that they reflect the best and most contemporary of regulatory practices.
C. 
Modification of regulations. Requirements applicable to uses permitted by right or as accessory uses in any district by the regulations of this chapter may be modified or waived by the Plan Commission in their application to a conditional use if in the Commission's opinion they are not appropriate or necessary to the proper regulation of the conditional use and where such modification or waiver would not in the Commission's opinion result in adverse effect upon surrounding properties.
D. 
Accessory uses and structures. Uses and structures accessory to a principal conditional use may be permitted subject to appropriate regulations in the same manner as hereinbefore set forth for the principal conditional use.
E. 
Rustic structures. Applications for conditional use status for rustic structures shall be subject to Article XXI, Rustic Structures, of this chapter.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
F. 
Gasoline service stations. In the case of requests for a conditional grant for a gasoline service station in a commercial zoning district, such grant is subject to the express condition that no such station shall be located, built, constructed, maintained or operated:
(1) 
Within 500 feet of any public building or within the same distance of any public theater or park.
(2) 
Within 1,500 feet of any other automobile service station unless the Plan Commission determines, upon examining the plan and specifications of the size and layout of the proposed station submitted by the prospective operator and upon examining a report of the City Engineer as to the effect of such a station upon present traffic conditions, that the proposed station will not result in traffic, fire, health, or safety hazard and that such a station will not be offensive or a nuisance to the surrounding neighborhood by reasons of its physical, social or economic feasibility.
(3) 
So that the boundary line of any driveway connecting such station with any street is nearer than 150 feet to an intersection unless the Plan Commission determines, upon examining the plans and specifications of the size and layout of the proposed station submitted by the prospective operator and upon examining a report of the City Engineer as to the effect of such a station upon present traffic conditions, that the location and access driveways of the proposed station will not result in a traffic or safety hazard or unduly interfere with the orderly and expeditious flow and control of traffic at such intersection, in which case the Plan Commission may reduce said one-hundred-fifty-foot requirement but may not reduce such requirement below 100 feet and in any case within the visual setback line.
G. 
Reasonable accommodations for the disabled. A waiver to a dimensional zoning regulation can be granted through a conditional use grant to offer a reasonable accommodation for a person with disabilities. Said grants should only be issued for current needs and only the minimum waiver necessary should be granted, with all other nonwaiver options first being explored and ruled out. The Plan Commission can impose conditions as part of said grant, such as having said structure/feature removed once the disabled person vacates the property.
[Amended 3-22-2012 by Ord. No. 1351]
H. 
(Reserved)[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection H, Vacation rental establishments, added 6-26-2018 by Ord. No. 1418, was superseded 4-12-2022 by Ord. No. 1470. See now Ch. 297, Short-Term Rentals.
I. 
Conditional uses permitted. Subject to the foregoing, in addition to such uses and conditional uses enumerated in the district regulations, the following may be permitted as conditional uses, subject to all terms and conditions of this article:[3]
(1) 
Community and other living arrangements. In all situations where an exception or special zoning permission procedure is required by § 62.23(7)(i), Wis. Stats., the use may be allowed pursuant to the procedures of this article and further subject to all terms and conditions of § 62.23(7)(i), Wis. Stats. Unless waived by the Common Council, an annual review shall be required for any conditional use approved under this subsection, pursuant to the procedures described in § 62.23(7)(i)9, Wis. Stats., and the Common Council has the power to order a cessation of the operation, as described therein. Nothing herein shall be interpreted as expanding the opportunity for conducting this use beyond the limits of § 62.23(7)(i), Wis. Stats., or as modifying § 62.23(7)(i), Wis. Stats. All decisions to grant or deny a community or other living arrangement under this subsection shall be made at the City Plan Commission's discretion, which may be independent of the standards of § 400-157B.
[3]
Editor's Note: Added at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
J. 
Adaptive reuse of existing barns for an event/wedding venue.
[Added 3-18-2020 by Ord. No. 1442]
(1) 
Definition. "Adaptive reuse of existing barns for an event/wedding venue" means any barns erected before January 1, 2020, to be reused as an event/wedding venue.
(2) 
Purpose. The following regulations are created to allow for an adaptive reuse of existing barns ensuring that applicable ordinances are followed: to protect against adverse impacts of noise, odor, disturbance, visual impacts or other nuisances that this practice could have upon neighboring properties and to control the impacts of such operations on municipal services, including snowplowing, garbage collection, sanitation, law enforcement and fire protection.
(3) 
Conditional use grant required. No commercial event/wedding may occur in a barn unless an adaptive reuse of existing barns for an event/wedding venue conditional use grant for such operation is granted by the City, and only in full compliance with such conditional use permit. The general provisions as to conditional uses described in Article XIV of this chapter apply to adaptive reuse of existing barns for an event/wedding venue conditional uses.
(4) 
Conditions to be met for grant of permit. A conditional use permit shall not be granted for the adaptive reuse of existing barns for an event/wedding venue unless all of the following conditions are met:
(a) 
The minimum parcel size shall be five acres.
(b) 
A 200-foot separation between any event-related building or amenity/feature and any structures on adjacent lots shall be provided on all sides of the property not abutting a public roadway. Special event/commercial business-related structures, activities and/or features are not permitted within a fifty-foot buffer area, nor is parking allowed in this buffer area. The Plan Commission can consider reducing the required buffer, as it relates to parking only, from any right-of-way if dense landscape screening is provided. If an existing barn is located closer than the fifty-foot buffer, then the Plan Commission can consider reducing the required buffer to not less than the existing barn offset. Where possible, agricultural crops shall remain or be grown in the buffer area, or suitable landscaping, to maintain the rural/agricultural character of the site.
(c) 
Buffer plantings shall be provided along a property line where there is an abutting residence, including across roadways, to screen views, lights and noise from the operation.
(d) 
Parcels shall have direct unobstructed frontage along a paved public road for direct access.
(e) 
The surface of the parking areas and driveways are preferred to be asphalt, but the Plan Commission can consider gravel parking areas on a case-by-case basis if the parking is far enough from adjacent lots and homes and if the parking lot can be maintained in a dustless condition. The number of parking stalls required should be one stall for every two people of building capacity with the final quantity being approved by the Plan Commission.
(f) 
Any amplified music should occur only in the main barn structure and all doors and windows must remain closed when the amplified music is playing. Special conditions can be considered for unique situations, subject to Plan Commission review.
(g) 
The barn must be structurally sound and must meet all applicable Building Codes and Fire Codes.
(h) 
Applicants for a conditional use grant under this subsection shall provide the following information at the time of application:
[1] 
Ownership of the property.
[2] 
Months/duration of operation.
[3] 
The anticipated number of events per year.
[4] 
Proposed hours/days of operation.
[5] 
Primary types of events to be hosted and a description of their ancillary activities (e.g., hayrides, petting farms, bonfires, etc.).
[6] 
Size of the barn facility and guest capacity, including a floor plan of the barn and auxiliary structures (including any tents or other temporary structures).
[7] 
A site plan/survey for the entire parcel, including ingress/egress, parking areas, all facility structures/tents, restroom locations, and any other site-based features.
[8] 
Provision of restroom facilities, including screening method (must be provided).
[9] 
Location of refuse receptacles, screening and method of disposal.
[10] 
Proposed signage and lighting plan.
[11] 
Proposed use and location of amplified music.
[12] 
Any additional information required by the Plan Commission to ensure the safe operations of the event/wedding venue.
Subsequent change or addition to the approved conditional use grants shall first be submitted for approval to the Plan Commission, and if in the opinion of the Plan Commission such change or addition constitutes a substantial alteration based on the standards set forth in this code, a public hearing before the Plan Commission shall be required.
A. 
A use which existed lawfully on a lot at the time said lot was placed in a district where such use would be permitted only as a conditional grant shall automatically be granted conditional use status.
B. 
The grant of conditional use in such case shall be based upon the existing conditions at that time, and any expansion or change in use shall require changing of the conditional use grant.
C. 
Petition may be made at any time for expansion or other change of the conditional use grant, and such petition shall not prejudice the existing grant as herein authorized.
D. 
Conditional use status granted under previous zoning regulations shall be considered in effect under this chapter subject to the conditions established by the original grant. Any expansion or other change, however, shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter.
A. 
Where a permitted conditional use does not continue in conformity with the conditions of the original approval, or where a change in the character of the surrounding area or of the use itself causes it to be no longer compatible with surrounding area, or for similar cause based upon consideration of the public welfare, the conditional grant may be terminated by action of the Common Council following referral to the Plan Commission for recommendation and public hearing thereon. Such use shall thereafter be classified as legal nonconforming use, except that where the action is due to failure to comply with the conditions of the conditional grant, the Common Council may require complete termination of such use.
B. 
When the owner of the property/business is requesting the termination willingly, due to the use being discontinued, a public hearing is not required. Building, site and operation plan amendment review is still required by the Plan Commission to terminate said use in this circumstance.
[Amended 3-22-2012 by Ord. No. 1351]