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Proposed Ordinance amending portions of Section 24.16 of the Wauwatosa Municipal Code providing that zoning-related public hearings shall be held by the Common Council in advance of introduction at Plan Commission
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Submitted by:
Tammy Szudy
Department:
Development
A. Background/Options
Earlier this year, City staff presented a revised Common Council calendar for the remainder of 2024 that reduced Council meetings to once a month along with various ordinance modifications, including zoning procedures, due to less frequent Council meetings. After several Government Affairs Committee meetings, it was the Council’s desire to have all zoning related public hearings before the Council and consistent public hearing schedules and processes.
The proposed zoning text amendments that require all zoning related public hearings to be held at the Common Council prior to Plan Commission review are attached. The specific changes are:
• Conditional Use Permits - the public hearing will be held before the Common Council as the first step in the process, followed by Plan Commission review, and then back to Council for approval. The current process is public hearing and consideration before the Plan Commission followed by Council approval.
• Zoning Map and Text Amendments - the public hearing will be held before the Common Council as the first step in the process, followed by Plan Commission review, and then back to Council for approval. The current process is Plan Commission consideration, a public hearing before the Common Council, Community Affairs review, and Council approval.
• Planned Unit Development Preliminary Plans - the public hearing will be held before the Common Council as the first step in the process, followed by Plan Commission review, and then back to Council for approval. The current process is Plan Commission consideration, a public hearing before the Common Council, Community Affairs review, and Council approval.
The Plan Commission reviewed the item at the September 9 meeting and recommended approval 5-0. The Common Council held the required public hearing on October 22, 2024 with no one appearing to speak about the proposal or ask questions.
B. Staff Comments
Planning/Zoning Division
No issues.
Building Division
No issues.
City Assessor’s Office
No issues.
City Clerk’s Office
No issues.
Engineering Division
No issues.
Fire Department
No issues.
Health Department
No issues.
Police Department
No issues.
C. Recommendation
Staff recommends approval.