By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
After devoting more than a year to crossing out language and adding in new provisions, the process of a top-down review of Whitewater’s zoning code is nearly complete.
Members of the city Plan Commission have been working in tandem with several groups, including the Common Council and an ad-hoc Zoning Rewrite Steering Committee that was assembled with the sole purpose of working through the document.
The Plan Commission held several meetings with the Common Council to hash over specifics. At a joint meeting March 18, the review process was completed, and a final vote by the council – expected later in April – will consummate the process.
Last year, city officials were reviewing zoning provisions for business and manufacturing districts. During the first quarter of 2014, attention was turned toward the residential areas of the community.
City Planner Latisha Birkeland said the review has been an important step in helping modernize the city code.
Reviews within the residential zoning section of the code have included an examination into the number of permissible nonresident persons within single-family homes and a discussion of condominium-specific bylaws and how they fit into the grander scheme of the governing laws within the city.
Throughout the review, commissioners and other city officials have asserted the residential zoning reviews were a plus to the city because of the diverse housing stock. The city has a number of unique zoning designations, including areas in and near the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater campus.
In addition to specific zoning designations, other matters that have been under review have included fencing, the permissible number of parking stalls within multi-family housing units and noise restrictions.
Citing the complexity of the entire process, Common Council President Patrick Singer said the timeline for ultimately approving the residential zoning rewrite document remains fluid.
Singer said staff members will work with City Attorney Wallace McDonell in drafting revised language, based on suggestions made by the elected and appointed bodies. A formal ordinance will need to be drawn up, and it will have to be approved by the full council for changes to be incorporated.
Other business
In other recent business, commissioners:
-Voted to convert a single-family residence at 1128 W. Florence St. into a two-story duplex. Plans for the dwelling also include a 376-square-foot addition.
Applicant DLK Enterprises plans to have three bedrooms in one unit and four bedrooms in the other unit.
Other issues that were reviewed with DLK Enterprises’ application included existing parking plans and landscaping.
-Approved an additional application request by DLK Enterprises for a 24-unit apartment building at 142-166 N. Prince St. The development is to encompass four lots within the city.
As part of its motion, commissioners voted in favor of granting a conditional-use permit to proceed with plans for the apartment complex.
Demolition work has taken place at the site, and new infrastructure – including curb and gutter and other utilities – will be in conformance with existing city standards.
Other plans for the site include a number of parking stalls for residents and visitors, and areas to store bikes and other equipment.
