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Committee discusses requiring certified survey maps for small parcels when zoning changes; surveyor backlog, costs and grace period flagged
Summary
The committee debated draft zoning-ordinance language that would require certified survey maps (CSMs) for parcels less than 35 acres when a zoning change is requested. Members discussed potential costs to landowners, surveyor backlogs and a recommended attorney review and a grace period before implementation.
Committee members spent substantial time reviewing proposed zoning-ordinance language that would add a requirement for certified survey maps when a zoning change affects parcels smaller than 35 acres.
The proposed addition would make any zoning change to a parcel under 35 acres require a certified survey map and a development review prior to CSM submission, and would require filing with the Richland County Register of Deeds to comply with Wisconsin Statutes §236.36. Supporters said the change would help the county be proactive — tracking new residential development and improved municipal coordination — while opponents raised concerns about added costs for landowners and a backlog among local surveyors.
Surveyor costs and timing
Committee members and commenters noted that a CSM typically entails surveyor fees (commonly several thousand dollars depending on complexity). One committee member said surveyors are operating with backlogs (three months cited for existing contracted work), and recommended an implementation delay and formal notice to local surveyors and landowners so existing quotes would remain valid and projects already contracted would not suddenly require different work.
Exemptions, parcel transfers and clarification
Discussion addressed boundary-line transfers between adjoining owners (so-called “adjacency” conveyances), the district-size threshold for zoning changes, and how the language would apply to remainder parcels. Staff emphasized that the requirement targets zoning changes (for example, converting part of an ag/forest parcel to residential) rather than simple boundary adjustments that do not alter zoning. Committee members asked staff to refine language where rezoning would be triggered by a parcel falling under the minimum size for a zoning classification after a sale.
Next steps
The committee asked staff to circulate the draft to attorney Windell for legal review, incorporate township feedback and prepare clearer public-facing guidance. Several members recommended a grace period and an outreach notice to local surveyors and affected landowners to minimize disruption to in-progress work.
Provenance: Discussion and proposed text were presented beginning at about 00:59:34 of the transcript (agenda item on CSM language) and continued through committee debate and public comment into the late portion of the meeting.
