Sheboygan plan commission advances zoning chapter rewrite, moves boards-and-commissions language into Chapter 2
Loading...
Summary
Commissioners approved an ordinance migrating boards-and-commissions text into chapter 2 of the Sheboygan municipal code and received a detailed presentation on the near-final zoning rewrite that would clarify administration, limit certain appeals, allow up to two units on most lots, tighten short-term rental rules, and require better PDD recordkeeping.
The Sheboygan Plan Commission on Monday approved an ordinance that relocates sections about boards and commissions out of the zoning chapter and into chapter 2 of the Sheboygan municipal code, and heard an extensive presentation on a near-final rewrite of the zoning code's administration and procedures.
Elise (planning staff) introduced the ordinance migration, saying portions of the zoning chapter that described boards and commissions are being moved for organizational consistency. The City Attorney said the change is intended to be a partner to the larger zoning rewrite and is largely organizational rather than substantive; the language is being migrated to chapter 2 while the new zoning code will focus on zoning districts, procedures and administration.
Wendy Schobert, acting chair of the Historic Preservation Commission, told the commission she had not had a quorum to review the transfer and flagged a concern that the migration could unintentionally diminish the commission's jurisdiction over already-landmarked buildings. She urged the commission to review the draft once the Historic Preservation Commission has a quorum. The City Attorney and staff said the transfer was mostly a 'cut-and-paste' to preserve existing language and that staff will engage the historic commission when it reconvenes.
The zoning rewrite presentation, led by Sam, covered administration and procedures: the draft designates a zoning administrator role (city administrator may delegate), clarifies application checklists and when environmental or traffic studies are required, narrows some appeals to the board of appeals (for example, removing use variances), and consolidates compliance review processes. Sam said the rewrite also generally allows up to two units on most lots to expand housing choices and aligns use definitions with state law changes (including Wisconsin Act 67 and Wisconsin Act 16). He said short-term rental rules were tightened from current local rules but not to the fullest extent state statute allows, offering more restrictions for non-owner-occupied units.
Sam outlined additional changes: mandatory incorporation of Plan Development District (PDD) rules directly into the code text to prevent lost or orphaned PDD regulations; updated nonconformity rules reflecting a 12-month vacancy threshold; and clearer procedures for certificates of occupancy, fees, and enforcement. Staff emphasized that many of the changes are intended to provide clearer, more objective standards and to reduce legal uncertainty.
Sam said the plan is for the Plan Commission to make a formal recommendation on the zoning text later in December, with the Common Council to review it in January. Staff invited commissioners and the public to submit edits and said staff will provide graphics and public-facing summaries to help residents understand key changes.
The commission moved and seconded the ordinance to relocate boards-and-commissions language; the motion passed after an 'aye' vote and the chair's aye vote was recorded. The zoning chapter rewrite remains a pending recommendation to be voted on after the Plan Commission's formal recommendation and the Common Council review.
