Plan Commission - June 25, 2026

1 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______ Thursday – June 25, 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: June 25, 2026 at 9:00 A.M. Call to Order Roll Call Adoption of Agenda 1) Zoning Code Rewrite Update and Discussion 2) Discussion about Zoning and Building Permit fees on charity projects 3) Adjournment Respectfully Submitted; Taylor Larson Clerk-Treasurer ***Posted June 18, 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. 1 To: The City of Amery Planning Commission From: Claire Stickler, MSA Professional Services Subject: Uses Discussion for Zoning Code Update Date: June 18th , 2026 As part of the zoning code update, MSA has reviewed the permitted and conditional uses within each zoning district. The existing ordinance contains numerous use lists that have been amended over time, resulting in duplication, outdated classifications, and references to Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes. The proposed revisions are intended to modernize and simplify the ordinance while generally maintaining the range of uses currently permitted within the City. The following summarizes the major proposed changes by district. Low Density Residential The proposed Low Density Residential District combines portions of the existing R-1, R-2, and R-3 districts and is intended to accommodate primarily single-family residential development. Permitted uses generally include: • Single-family detached dwellings • Manufactured homes meeting design standards • Accessory dwelling units • Home occupations • Day care and community living arrangements meeting state requirements • Parks, playgrounds, and similar recreational uses • Accessory structures and customary residential accessory uses Conditional uses generally include: • Larger community living arrangements Memo 2 • Churches and schools • Nursing homes and assisted living facilities • Medical and dental clinics • Funeral homes • Utility facilities Medium Density Residential The proposed Medium Density Residential District is intended to provide opportunities for a wider variety of housing types while maintaining compatibility with surrounding residential neighborhoods. Permitted uses generally include: • Single-family dwellings • Duplexes and two-family dwellings • Accessory dwelling units • Home occupations • Community living arrangements • Parks and recreational uses Conditional uses generally include: • Bed and breakfast establishments • Churches and schools • Nursing homes and assisted living facilities • Medical and dental clinics • Funeral homes • Utility facilities High Density Residential The proposed High Density Residential District is intended to accommodate multifamily housing and higher- density residential development. 3 Permitted uses generally include: • Duplexes • Multifamily dwellings • Planned residential developments • Boarding houses and lodging facilities • Home occupations • Parks and playgrounds Conditional uses generally include: • Schools and churches • Governmental and public facilities • Retirement homes • Nursery schools • Mobile home parks • Private clubs and lodges Downtown Mixed Use The proposed Downtown Mixed Use District replaces the existing C-1 District and is intended to support a traditional downtown environment that includes commercial, office, civic, entertainment, and residential uses. Permitted uses generally include: • Retail sales establishments • Restaurants, taverns, and drinking establishments • Offices and professional services • Personal service establishments • Civic and cultural uses • Entertainment uses 4 • Upper-story residential units • Parks and public gathering spaces Conditional uses generally include: • Hotels and lodging establishments • Larger commercial establishments • Automobile-oriented uses • Certain manufacturing, craft production, and distilling uses • Nursing homes and assisted living facilities General Commercial The proposed General Commercial District modernizes the existing commercial use list by replacing numerous (40 +) individual SIC-based categories with broader land-use categories. Permitted uses generally include: • Retail sales establishments • Restaurants and drinking establishments • Financial institutions • Business and professional offices • Medical offices and clinics • Personal service establishments • Business support services • Entertainment uses • Civic and nonprofit organization facilities • Commercial parking facilities Conditional uses generally include: • Automobile sales and rental establishments • Gas stations and car washes 5 • Hotels and motels • Mini-shopping centers • Multifamily residential development • Light manufacturing and assembly uses Industrial The proposed Industrial District consolidates the City's existing industrial districts and streamlines overlapping industrial use categories. Permitted uses generally include: • Manufacturing, fabrication, assembly, and processing uses • Research and testing facilities • Warehousing and distribution facilities • Contractor shops and service facilities • Utility facilities • Rail-related uses • Wholesale establishments • Automotive repair and related industrial services Conditional uses generally include: • Heavier manufacturing operations • Outdoor storage areas • Freight transportation facilities • Agricultural processing and related industrial uses • Grain handling and bulk storage facilities • Junkyards, salvage yards, and recycling facilities Institutional 6 The proposed Institutional District is intended to accommodate public, quasi-public, educational, religious, and community-serving uses that may not fit neatly within residential, commercial, or industrial districts. Permitted uses generally include: • Government offices and public buildings • Schools and public educational facilities • Libraries • Churches and places of worship • Community centers • Public safety facilities • Parks and recreational facilities • Utilities and public service facilities • Hospitals and major medical facilities • Residential institutional facilities Conservancy The Conservancy District is proposed to focus more directly on environmental protection, recreation, open space preservation, and natural resource management. Permitted uses generally include: • Conservation and habitat protection • Passive recreation • Parks, trails, and open space • Forestry and wildlife management • Natural resource preservation Conditional uses generally include: • Campgrounds • Golf courses 7 • Marinas and recreational facilities • Riding stables • Governmental and public facilities • Other uses determined to be consistent with the purpose of the district 1 To: The City of Amery Planning Commission From: Claire Stickler, MSA Professional Services Subject: Accessory Structure Discussion for Zoning Code Update Date: June 18th , 2026 The City has expressed specifically discussing the accessory structure provisions of the Zoning Ordinance to provide additional flexibility for residential property owners while maintaining reasonable development standards. The current ordinance allows a residential lot to contain a garage and one additional accessory building. In addition, residential district regulations currently limit private garages to a maximum of three stalls. Staff has reviewed the existing ordinance language and prepared the following recommendations to implement the City's direction. Proposed Amendments 1. Remove Garage Stall Limitation The current residential district regulations permit one private garage with not more than three stalls per residential parcel. The City has indicated a desire to remove this limitation. The proposed amendment would eliminate the three-stall restriction and instead regulate garages through existing dimensional standards, setbacks, lot coverage limitations, and building permit review processes. Proposed Language: Replace: "One private garage with not more than three stalls for each residential parcel, per § 450- 100 specifications. " With: "One private garage, attached or detached, per § 450-100 specifications. " Memo 2 2. Increase the Number of Permitted Accessory Structures The current ordinance permits a garage and one additional accessory building on a residential lot. The City would like to allow: • One garage; • One accessory building; • One shed not exceeding 220 square feet; and • One carport. (There should be a square footage max 12x20?) The proposed amendment would recognize that small storage sheds serve a different function than larger accessory buildings and allow one shed in addition to the accessory building allowance. 3. Establish Carports as a Permitted Accessory Structure The current ordinance does not specifically address carports. The amendment would recognize attached and detached carports as permitted accessory structures in residential districts. A definition should be added to clarify what constitutes a carport. Suggested Definition: "Carport: A roofed structure permanently affixed to the ground and open on not less than two sides, intended for the parking or storage of motor vehicles. " Recommended Amendment to § 450-100(B)(1) Replace the existing accessory building number limits with the following: "In any residential district, in addition to the principal building, the following accessory structures shall be permitted:" a. One attached or detached garage; b. One accessory building; c. One shed not exceeding 220 square feet in floor area; and d. One attached or detached carport. 3 "For purposes of this section, a shed not exceeding 220 square feet shall not be counted as the permitted accessory building. " Additional Considerations Staff recommends clarifying that garages, accessory buildings, sheds, and carports continue to count toward maximum lot coverage requirements. This will ensure that the proposed increase in accessory structures does not result in excessive site coverage or unintended development intensity. The proposed amendments maintain existing setback, placement, height, and lot coverage requirements while providing additional flexibility for residential property owners. Currently the code regulates the size of structures by lot coverage. In residential districts you cannot have your total structures cover more than 50% of the lot. The City could explore going to more of a sliding scale based on lot size and accessory structures total size. See the below example. Lot Size Maximum Accessory Building Area Under 10,000 sq ft 900–1,000 sq ft 10,000–20,000 sq ft 1,100–1,500 sq ft 20,000-30,000 sq ft 1,600–2,400 sq ft 30,000-43,560(1 acre) 2,500-3,200 sq ft More than 1 acre 3,300-4,000 sq ft 1 To: The City of Amery Planning Commission From: Claire Stickler, MSA Professional Services Subject: Fences Discussion for Zoning Code Update Date: June 18th , 2026 Background As part of the City's ongoing review of zoning regulations, staff has reviewed the fence provisions contained in § 450-102 of the Zoning Ordinance. The current ordinance generally functions well and contains standards addressing fence permits, height limitations, visibility requirements, materials, placement, and maintenance responsibilities. During recent discussions, several potential amendments were identified that may improve ordinance administration, provide greater flexibility to property owners, and better reflect current fencing materials and construction practices. The following items are presented for Plan Commission discussion and direction. Discussion Item No. 1 – Increase Front-Yard Fence Height The current ordinance limits residential front-yard fences to 3.5 feet in height, this is an unusual number in terms of fence products and other zoning ordinances. An increase of the maximum permitted front-yard fence height to 4 feet would not be atypical. A four-foot height standard is commonly used by Wisconsin municipalities and is consistent with many commercially available residential fencing products. A four-foot standard also simplifies administration and field inspections. Examples of nearby communities utilizing a four-foot front-yard fence standard include: • City of Hudson, City of Menomonie, Village of Somerset, City of River Falls, (prohibits chain-link in front yard) – maximum four-foot fence height along road rights-of-way and in front yards. Memo 2 • Numerous Wisconsin municipalities utilize a four-foot front-yard standard and six- foot side/rear-yard standard as a common zoning practice. Discussion Item No. 2 – Chain-Link Fencing The current ordinance addresses fence materials but may benefit from additional clarification regarding chain-link fencing. Chain-link fencing remains a common and cost-effective fencing option for residential properties, particularly for pet containment, child safety, and yard enclosure. However, concerns are sometimes raised regarding aesthetics when chain-link fencing is installed in front-yard areas. The Plan Commission may wish to consider one of the following approaches: Option A – Continue Existing Approach • The current ordinance prohibits chain-link fencing within front yards while allowing chain-link fencing in side and rear yards. The Plan Commission may wish to discuss whether this prohibition should remain in place. Option B – Permit Chain-Link in All Yards • Allow chain-link fencing in all yards. Option C – Permit Coated Chain-Link in Front Yards • Permit black, brown, or green vinyl-coated chain-link fencing in front yards for aesthetic purposes. • Continue allowing traditional galvanized chain-link in side and rear yards. Staff believes Option C may provide a reasonable balance between neighborhood aesthetics and affordability. Discussion Item No. 3 – Modernize Material Standards Since adoption of the ordinance, residential fencing materials have evolved considerably. Vinyl privacy fencing, composite fencing, and ornamental aluminum fencing are now common throughout Wisconsin communities. The ordinance may benefit from language specifically recognizing these materials as permitted fencing types. Discussion Item No. 5 – Illustrative Diagrams 3 Staff recommends adding illustrations to the ordinance to improve interpretation and enforcement. The following diagrams are recommended: Diagram A – Interior Residential Lot Illustrating: • Front yard • Side yard • Rear yard • Permitted fence heights by yard area Diagram B – Corner Lot Illustrating: • Primary front yard • Street side yard • Visibility triangle • Fence height restrictions Diagram C – Driveway Visibility Triangle Illustrating: • Driveway location • Street right-of-way • Required clear vision area • Fence placement limitations These illustrations would provide clear guidance to property owners, contractors, and staff and reduce interpretation disputes during permit review.