Plan Commission Meeting - January 22, 2026

1 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______ Thursday – January 22, 2026 9:00 A.M. Amery City Center Council Chambers ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes 19.84, Notice is hereby given to the public that a meeting of the Plan Commission of the City of Amery will be held on: January 22, 2026 at 9:00 A.M. Call to Order Roll Call Adoption of Agenda 1) Kickoff for the Zoning Code Rewrite 2) Adjournment Respectfully Submitted; Taylor Larson Clerk-Treasurer ***Posted: January 15, 2026: Website (www.amerywi.gov); City Hall; Amery Public Library & Amery Police Department PLAN COMMISSION AGENDA 104 Maple St. W. Amery, WI 54001 http://www.amerywi.gov (715) 268-7486 Fax: (715) 268-4870 The City of Amery does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability in employment or provision of services, programs or activities. NOTE: Upon reasonable notice, the City of Amery will accommodate the needs of disabled individuals through aids or services. For additional information or to request this service, contact the Clerk -Treasurer’s office at (715) 268-3410 by Noon the previous day so that arrangements can be made. Amery, Wisconsin Zoning Code Rewrite Plan Commission Kickoff Meeting January 22, 2026 Agenda Introductions Project Purpose & Goals Project Scope & Schedule Plan Commission’s Role Continuum Questionnaire Activity Next Steps Introductions Jenna Gilliam Planner Project Purpose & Goals  Modernize and simplify the zoning code for clarity and usability  Amery’s code was last updated in 2004(!), resulting in contradictions and outdated standards  Align regulations with newly-adopted 2045 Comprehensive Plan and other community policies  Implement community vision (e.g. business growth and housing diversity/affordability) by removing barriers to development  Enhance predictability, fairness, and consistency in decision-making  Streamline administration, permitting, and enforcement  ___________________________________________________ What other goals/expectations do you have for this process? Project Purpose & Goals Primary Themes from Comprehensive Plan  Preserving Small-Town Character: Emphasizing thoughtful growth that maintains Amery’s charm while enhancing livability.  Housing Affordability & Diversity: Addressing the shortage of affordable and middle-income housing through infill development, zoning updates, and development incentives.  Economic Development: Supporting local businesses, attracting new employers, and positioning Amery as a regional destination for tourism and recreation.  Infrastructure & Mobility: Improving roads, sidewalks, and multi-modal transportation options, with a focus on accessibility and connectivity.  Natural & Cultural Resource Stewardship: Protecting Amery’s lakes, rivers, wetlands, and farmland while promoting civic traditions and historic preservation.  Intergovernmental Collaboration: Strengthening partnerships with neighboring jurisdictions, regional agencies, and local organizations to align planning efforts and share resources. 2045 Vision Statement: “Amery will continue to be a thriving, welcoming community that preserves its small- town charm while embracing thoughtful growth. We envision a city where families and businesses flourish, supported by affordable housing options, purposeful economic development, vibrant parks and gathering spaces, and quality infrastructure. By providing a high quality of life and a strong sense of belonging, Amery shall always be a desirable place to live, work, and visit.” Project Scope Phase 1: Initial Assessment & Public Engagement (approx. January – May 2026) Phase 1 will inform the City of the necessary updates with a thorough review of current conditions and policies accompanied by outreach to stakeholders and decision makers to provide insight into Amery’s future needs and opportunities.  Audit of Existing Code – Conduct a comprehensive review of the zoning ordinance and related plans to identify conflicts, outdated provisions, and areas needing modernization.  Public Participation – Implement a structured engagement process to gather input from staff, officials, stakeholders, and the public on issues and priorities for the zoning update.  Development Standards – Establish clear, modern development standards aligned with the Comprehensive Plan and evaluate opportunities to consolidate zoning districts.  Review Feedback – Assess stakeholder feedback with City staff to confirm needed revisions and ensure the draft code meets operational and community needs. Project Scope Phase 2: Code Development & Adoption (approx. May – October 2026) Phase 2 will incorporate the findings of Phase 1 into a revised Zoning Code (Chapter 450) and develop policy and procedural revisions to accommodate the updates and support an efficient development system to guide City Staff and Officials.  Comprehensive Rewrite – Prepare a full rewrite of the Zoning Code based on Phase 1 findings, ensuring a clear, user-friendly structure supported by graphics and modernized language.  Zoning Map Amendments – Update the zoning map to align with the new code and evaluate impacts on development, the environment, and housing.  Cross-Referencing and Consistency – Ensure the new code is consistent with other municipal chapters and state statute.  Adoption – Participate in Plan Commission and City Council public hearings to support formal adoption of the updated code. Project Scope Plan Commission’s Role  Serve as Steering Committee  Provide guidance on code structure, content, and priorities  Review drafts and provide feedback  Serve as bridge between community and City Council Continuum Survey Activity • Interactive activity with Plan Commission & stakeholders • Identify values and priorities across a spectrum • Results inform some initial guidance for drafting and engagement • Results will be shared later in process MSA’s Next Steps  Meet with staff to identify zoning code rewrite starting points  Begin reviewing current ordinance and City plans/policies, develop audit summary memo  Reach out to key stakeholders  Next Plan Commission meeting: February 26th (brainstorming preliminary code concerns/changes, reviewing feedback to-date)  Which parts of the current zoning code are hardest for applicants, staff, or commissioners to interpret or apply?  What are the most common variance requests?  Are there zoning barriers that discourage new businesses or expansions of existing ones? What about housing development?  What types of development or community character do you want the new code to better support?