Planning commission asks staff to draft ordinance redefining major streets and adjusting setback rules

The Marshfield Planning Commission voted Sept. 16 to ask staff to prepare a proposed ordinance for the common council that would redefine which roadways are designated as "major streets" and change how major-street setbacks are calculated.

Planner Bryce Hamburg summarized earlier discussions and presented a proposal that would identify specific streets likely to require future right-of-way expansion rather than applying an automatic 50-foot setback to every street labeled "major." The recommendation would set a major-street setback equal to the underlying zoning district’s setback plus 10 feet (resulting commonly in setbacks of about 30 to 40 feet depending on district), rather than the prior one-size-fits-all 50 feet.

Hamburg said the draft also clarifies intent for applying the major-street requirement, exempts the Urban Mixed Use and Downtown Mixed Use districts (where buildings are often built to or near the property line), and preserves the existing step-back adjustment process that averages setbacks of up to five adjacent properties in some cases. The zoning administrator would also be able to exempt a property from the major-street requirement if adequate public right-of-way already exists to meet subdivision-code requirements.

Commissioners discussed how the change would reduce arbitrary application of large setbacks and how the earlier nonconforming-lot amendment (forwarded this meeting) helps manage unintended nonconformity concerns. Hamburg said staff would prepare a formal ordinance for council consideration; he noted a public hearing on this item had already occurred and staff did not recall receiving public comments.

A motion to direct staff to prepare the proposed ordinance carried on a voice vote; commissioners voiced "aye" and the chair declared the motion carried. Several commissioners later confirmed their support on the record during roll call on subsequent items. The commission’s direction was procedural: staff will draft ordinance language for the council to consider.

If adopted by the common council, the change would allow the city to require major-street setbacks only where future right-of-way needs are identified, and to tailor setback distances by zoning district plus a 10-foot buffer. Hamburg said this approach would better fit built-up areas where properties are already near the street and would allow for administrative exemptions and step-back averaging where appropriate.