The title of this chapter is the "Town of St. Joseph Zoning
Ordinance," referred to herein as the "Ordinance" or "this chapter."
The Town Board of the Town of St. Joseph has general zoning
authority, powers and duties pursuant to Wis. Stats., §§ 60.10,
60.22, 61.35, 60.62, and 62.23; also pursuant to the other specific
statutory authority as noted elsewhere in this chapter; also pursuant
to the Town's assumption of village powers at its Annual Town
Meeting on April 7, 1959, and pursuant to the action by Town electors
at a Special Town Meeting on September 14, 2020, to authorize the
Town Board to enact Town zoning ordinances.
The purpose of this chapter is to promote the health, safety,
prosperity and general welfare of the residents and landowners in
the Town of St. Joseph, through the establishment and enforcement
of regulations governing the use of the land in the Town and by providing
penalties for the violation of its provisions. To these ends, this
chapter shall divide the Town into districts and regulate the location,
construction, alteration, enlargement and use of structures and land
in the Town.
It is the general intent of this chapter to:
A.
Aid in implementing the Town's Comprehensive Plan.
B.
Regulate the use of all structures, lands and waters.
C.
Provide the compatibility of land uses.
D.
Promote the preservation of agricultural and conservation areas within
the Town.
E.
Provide opportunities for limited, desirable commercial development
while reducing the property tax burden for residential property.
F.
Further the appropriate use of land and conservation of natural resources.
G.
Preserve and promote the beauty and rural atmosphere of the Town.
H.
Promote a fair, equitable and balanced application of reasonable
zoning regulations for the Town and its residents.
I.
Regulate lot and population density so as to lessen congestion and
promote the safety and efficiency of the roads and highways and protect
farmland and open space.
J.
Facilitate the provision of public facilities and utilities.
K.
Stabilize and protect property values.
L.
Secure safety from fire, flooding, panic and other dangers.
M.
Provide adequate light, air, sanitation and drainage.
N.
Provide the administration and enforcement of this chapter and to
provide penalties for its violation.
If any specific portion of this chapter is held to be unconstitutional,
unlawful or invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder
of this chapter shall be unaffected and remain in full force and effect.
This chapter shall be effective after a public hearing, adoption
by the Town Board and approval by the St. Croix County Board of Supervisors
and publication and posting as provided by law.
A.
The provisions of this chapter shall be held, interpreted and applied
as minimum requirements and shall be liberally construed in favor
of the Town and shall not be deemed a limitation or repeal of any
other power granted by the Wisconsin Statutes or in conflict with
the provisions of any other ordinances of the Town of St. Joseph.
B.
For the purpose of administering and enforcing this chapter, the
terms or words used herein shall be interpreted as follows:
