Chapter 9 – Design Review

Ch.-9-Design-Review-Ordinance-1.18.22

 NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF DESIGN REVIEW ORDINANCE AMENDMENT 

Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 60.80, the Town of Springfield, Dane County, Wisconsin, hereby posts notice that at its regular Town Board Meeting held on Jan. 18, 2022, the Town Board enacted Ordinance #2022-02:  AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 9: DESIGN REVIEW OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE TOWN OF SPRINGFIELD, DANE COUNTY, WISCONSIN TO ADDRESS TRANSITION TO TOWN ZONING AND TO  IMPLEMENT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS, DESIGN REVIEW BEST PRACTICES, AND OTHER CHANGES TO REFLECT EXPERIENCE IN USING CHAPTER 9.

SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE 

The primary impetus for the proposed amendments is the Town’s adoption of its zoning ordinance.  The shift in zoning authority prompts some obvious changes in the Design Review Ordinance where it currently refers to the County zoning ordinance. 

The “signs” section of the Design Review Ordinance is largely unnecessary now, as the Town Zoning Ordinance has an extensive section on signs.  The Town Zoning Ordinance also includes provisions related to parking, driveways, and access, which prompts some further simplification in the Design Review Ordinance.  In other locations, changes to the Design Review Ordinance refer to other potentially applicable standards in the Zoning Ordinance to better ensure full coverage when new projects are reviewed.  The proposed Design Review Ordinance amendments also draw some closer connections to the Town Comprehensive Plan.  Particularly for new development proposals in the Springfield Corners area, the Town Plan includes several design guidelines that ought to be referenced.  Other proposed minor changes to the Design Review Ordinance may improve performance relative to aesthetic goals in the Comprehensive Plan.  These include some proposed changes related to screening outdoor storage and ensuring quality building appearance along main highways. 

Copy of Ordinance 2022-02 Amending the Design Review Ordinance

Ch.-9-Design-Review-Ordinance-1.18.22
Ch.-9-Design-Review-Ordinance-1.18.22