Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Driveways topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Kewaskum plan commission weighs changes to driveway rules, RV storage; no vote
Summary
The Village of Kewaskum Plan Commission reviewed a proposed ordinance update aimed at eliminating gravel driveways and clarifying recreational-vehicle storage rules. Staff identified code conflicts and will return with draft language; no formal action was taken.
The Village of Kewaskum Plan Commission on April 28 reviewed possible revisions to zoning and building code provisions intended to reduce gravel driveways and to tighten rules for outdoor recreational-vehicle storage. Staff said the village’s current code contains conflicting language that complicates enforcement and recommended the commission review proposed language before sending a recommendation to the village board.
Administrator Adam told commissioners the issue dates back several years and that the village’s code simultaneously lists gravel as an acceptable surface for recreational vehicles while other provisions and enforcement practice disallow gravel driveways. "One of the things that could help affect that is we have a kind of a mess with our recreational vehicles around town," Administrator Adam said, describing the practical enforcement problem created by inconsistent code language.
Commissioners pressed staff on enforcement mechanisms and on whether driveway completion is a condition for occupancy of new homes. Staff said occupancy for new builds is tied to driveway completion and that the village has in the past allowed homeowners until roughly June or July of the following year to finish surfaces, after which fines or code enforcement could apply.
The commission discussed potential options, including requiring that when a finished surface (concrete, asphalt, pavers) is started the entire driveway be completed, withholding building permits until properties are compliant, and clarifying the difference between temporary and permanent occupancy language in the code. Staff noted a past site-plan approval that permitted milled asphalt contrary to code as an example of why the village needs clearer, updated language.
No motion or vote was taken on the ordinance amendments. Staff was asked to return next month with revised draft language and with clarifications on temporary/permanent occupancy, enforcement steps, and how the ordinance would treat mixed-surface driveways and recreational-vehicle storage.
