Chapter 66

66.1303(3m) (3m) A determination made under sub. (3) is conclusive evidence of the facts so determined except upon proof of fraud or willful misfeasance. In arriving at the determination, the planning commission shall consider only those elements of the development plan relevant to the determination under sub. (3) and to the type of development which is physically desirable for the development area concerned from a city planning viewpoint, and from a neighborhood unit viewpoint, if the development plan provides that the development area is to be primarily residential.

66.1303(4) (4) The local governing body, by a two-thirds vote of the members-elect, may approve a development plan, but no resolution of approval may be adopted by it unless the planning commission has first approved the development plan and the plan and planning commission determination have been filed with the local governing body and unless the local governing body determines all of the following:

66.1303(4)(a) (a) That the proposed method of financing the development is feasible and that it is probable that the redevelopment corporation will be able to finance or arrange to finance the development.

66.1303(4)(b) (b) That the persons who it is proposed will be active in or associated with the management of the redevelopment corporation during a period of at least one year from the date of the approval of the development plan have sufficient ability and experience to cause the development to be undertaken, consummated and managed in a satisfactory manner.

66.1303(4m) (4m) A determination under sub. (4) is conclusive evidence of the facts determined except upon proof of fraud or willful misfeasance. In considering whether a resolution of approval of the development plan will be adopted, the local governing body shall consider those elements of the development plan relevant to the determination under sub. (4).

66.1303(5) (5) The planning commission and the local governing body, by a two-thirds vote of the members-elect, may approve an amendment to a development plan, if an application for the amendment has been filed with the planning commission by the redevelopment corporation containing that part of the material required by sub. (1) which is relevant to the proposed amendment and if the planning commission and the local governing body make the determinations required by sub. (3) or (4) which are relevant to the proposed amendment.

66.1303(6) (6) The planning commission and the local governing body may, for the guidance of prospective proponents of development plans, fix general standards to which a development plan shall conform. Variations from the standards may be allowed for the accomplishment of the purposes of ss. 66.1301 to 66.1329. The standards may contain provisions more restrictive than those imposed by applicable planning, zoning, sanitary and building laws, ordinances and regulations.

66.1303(7) (7) Local housing authorities organized under ss. 66.1201 to 66.1211, redevelopment authorities organized under s. 66.1333, and community development authorities organized under s. 66.1335 may render advisory services in connection with the preliminary surveys, studies and preparation of a development plan as requested by the city planning commission or the local governing body and charge fees for advisory services based on their actual cost.

66.1303(8) (8) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the local legislative body may designate, by ordinance or resolution, the local housing authority, the local redevelopment authority, or both jointly, or the local community development authority, to perform all acts, except the development of the general plan of the city, which are otherwise performed by the planning commission under ss. 66.1301 to 66.1329.

66.1303 History History: 1975 c. 311; 1999 a. 150 ss. 402 to 407; Stats. 1999 s. 66.1303.

66.1305 66.1305 Redevelopment corporations; limitations; incubator.

66.1305(1) (1) No redevelopment corporation may do any of the following:

66.1305(1)(a) (a) Undertake any clearance, reconstruction, improvement, alteration or construction in connection with any development until the approvals required by s. 66.1303 have been made.

66.1305(1)(b) (b) Amend the development plan until the planning commission and the local governing body have approved that portion of the amendment relevant to the determination required to be made by it as set forth in s. 66.1303.

66.1305(1)(c) (c) After a development has been commenced, sell, transfer or assign any real property in the development area without first obtaining the consent of the local governing body. Consent may be withheld only if the sale, transfer or assignment is made for the purpose of evading the provisions of ss. 66.1301 to 66.1329.

66.1305(1)(d) (d) Pay compensation to its officers or employees in an amount greater than the limit contained in the development plan, or if a default of the development plan occurs, then in an amount greater than the reasonable value of the services performed by the officers or employees.

66.1305(1)(e) (e) Lease an entire building or improvement in the development area to any person or corporation without obtaining the approval of the local governing body which may be withheld only if the lease is being made for the purpose of evading the provisions of ss. 66.1301 to 66.1329.

66.1305(1)(f) (f) Mortgage any of its real property without obtaining the approval of the local governing body.

66.1305(1)(g) (g) Make any guarantee without obtaining the approval of the local governing body.

66.1305(1)(h) (h) Dissolve without obtaining the approval of the local governing body, which may be given upon conditions deemed necessary or appropriate to the protection of the interest of the city in the proceeds of the sale of the real property as to any property or work turned into the development by the city. The approval shall be endorsed on the certificate of dissolution and the certificate may not be filed in the office of the secretary of state in the absence of the endorsement.

66.1305(1)(i) (i) Reorganize without obtaining the approval of the local governing body.

66.1305(2) (2) 

66.1305(2)(a) (a) In this subsection:

66.1305(2)(a)1. 1. “Arts incubator” has the meaning given in s. 41.60 (1) (a).

66.1305(2)(a)2. 2. “Technology-based incubator” means a facility that provides a new or expanding technically-oriented business with all of the following:

66.1305(2)(a)2.a. a. Office and laboratory space.

66.1305(2)(a)2.b. b. Shared clerical and other support service.

66.1305(2)(a)2.c. c. Managerial and technical assistance.

66.1305(2)(b) (b) A redevelopment corporation may do all of the following:

66.1305(2)(b)1. 1. Study the feasibility and initial design for an arts incubator in the development area where the redevelopment corporation operates.

66.1305(2)(b)2. 2. Develop and operate an arts incubator in the development area where the redevelopment corporation operates.

66.1305(2)(b)3. 3. Apply for a grant or loan under s. 41.60 in connection with an arts incubator.

66.1305(2)(c) (c) A redevelopment corporation may, if consistent with a development plan, do all of the following:

66.1305(2)(c)1. 1. Study the feasibility and initial design for a technology-based incubator in the development area where the redevelopment corporation operates.

66.1305(2)(c)2. 2. Develop and operate a technology-based incubator in the development area where the redevelopment corporation operates.

66.1305 History History: 1981 c. 314; 1989 a. 31; 1993 a. 16; 1999 a. 150 s. 408; Stats. 1999 s. 66.1305; 2009 a. 28; 2011 a. 32.

66.1307 66.1307 Urban redevelopment; regulation of corporations.

66.1307(1) (1) Application of other corporation laws to redevelopment corporations. The provisions of the general corporation law apply to redevelopment corporations, unless the provisions are in conflict with the provisions of ss. 66.1301 to 66.1329.

66.1307(2) (2) Consideration for issuance of stock, bonds or income debentures.

66.1307(2)(a) (a) No redevelopment corporation may issue stocks, bonds or income debentures, except for money or property actually received for the use and lawful purposes of the corporation or services actually performed for the corporation.

66.1307(2)(b) (b) A redevelopment corporation may pay interest on its income debentures or dividends on its stock during any dividend year, unless, at the time of an intended payment, a default exists under any amortization requirements with respect to its indebtedness.

66.1307(3) (3) Determination of development cost.

66.1307(3)(a) (a) Upon the completion of a development a redevelopment corporation shall, or upon the completion of a principal part of a development a redevelopment corporation may, file with the planning commission an audited statement of the development cost. Within a reasonable time after the filing of the statement, the planning commission shall determine the development cost applicable to the development or portion of the development and shall issue to the redevelopment corporation a certificate stating the amount of the development cost so determined.

66.1307(3)(b) (b) A redevelopment corporation may, whether prior or subsequent to the undertaking of any contract or expense, apply to the planning commission for a ruling as to whether any particular item and amount of cost may be included in development cost when finally determined by the planning commission. The planning commission shall, within a reasonable time after the application, render a ruling, and if it is ruled that any item of cost may be included in development cost, the amount of the cost shall be included in development cost when finally determined.

66.1307(4) (4) Regulation of redevelopment corporations. A redevelopment corporation shall do all of the following:

66.1307(4)(a) (a) Furnish to the planning commission financial information, statements, audited reports or other material that the commission requires, each of which shall conform to such standards of accounting and financial procedure that the planning commission by general regulation prescribes, except that the planning commission may not require a regular report more often than once every 6 months.

66.1307(4)(b) (b) Establish and maintain depreciation and other reserves, surplus and other accounts that the planning commission reasonably requires.

66.1307 History History: 1999 a. 150 ss. 409, 410, 412.

66.1309 66.1309 Urban redevelopment; transfer of land.

66.1309(1) (1) In this section:

66.1309(1)(a) (a) “Bank” means a corporation organized under or subject to the provisions of the banking law.

66.1309(1)(b) (b) “Conservator” means any of the following:

66.1309(1)(b)1. 1. The division of banking as conservator, liquidator, or rehabilitator of any person, partnership, or corporation, and persons, partnerships, and corporations organized under or subject to the provisions of the banking law.

66.1309(1)(b)2. 2. The commissioner of insurance as conservator, liquidator, or rehabilitator of any person, partnership, or corporation.

66.1309(1)(c) (c) “Fiduciary” means a personal representative, trustee, guardian, or other person holding trust funds or acting in a fiduciary capacity.

66.1309(1)(d) (d) “Governmental unit” means the state, its subdivisions, cities, all other public bodies, and all public officers.

66.1309(2) (2) Notwithstanding any other law or the absence of direct provision for transfer of land in the instrument under which a fiduciary is acting, every fiduciary, unless the instrument under which the fiduciary is acting expressly forbids, and every governmental unit, bank, or conservator that owns or holds any real property within a development area may do all of the following:

66.1309(2)(a) (a) Grant, sell, lease or otherwise transfer any real property to a redevelopment corporation.

66.1309(2)(b) (b) Receive and hold any cash, stocks, income debentures, mortgages, or other securities or obligations, secured or unsecured, exchanged for the transfer by the redevelopment corporation.

66.1309(2)(c) (c) Execute instruments and do acts that are considered necessary or desirable by them or it and by the redevelopment corporation in connection with the development and the development plan.

66.1309 History History: 1995 a. 27; 1999 a. 150 s. 414; Stats. 1999 s. 66.1309; 2001 a. 102.

66.1311 66.1311 Urban redevelopment; acquisition of land.

66.1311(1) (1) A redevelopment corporation may acquire real property or secure options in its own name or in the name of nominees to acquire real property, by gift, grant, lease, purchase or otherwise.

66.1311(2) (2) A city may, upon request by a redevelopment corporation, acquire, or obligate itself to acquire, for the redevelopment corporation real property included in a certificate of approval of condemnation, by gift, grant, lease, purchase, condemnation, or otherwise, according to the provisions of any law applicable to the acquisition of real property by the city. Real property acquired by a city for a redevelopment corporation shall be conveyed by the city to the redevelopment corporation upon payment to the city of all sums expended or required to be expended by the city in the acquisition of the real property, or leased by the city to the redevelopment corporation, upon terms agreed upon between the city and the redevelopment corporation to carry out the purposes of ss. 66.1301 to 66.1329.

66.1311(3) (3) The provisions of ss. 66.1301 to 66.1329 with respect to the condemnation of real property by a city for a redevelopment corporation prevail over the provisions of any other law.

66.1311 History History: 1999 a. 150 s. 415; Stats. 1999 s. 66.1311.

66.1313 66.1313 Urban redevelopment; condemnation for.

66.1313(1) (1) Condemnation proceedings for a redevelopment corporation shall be initiated by a petition to the city to institute proceedings to acquire for the redevelopment corporation any real property in the development area. The petition shall be granted or rejected by the local governing body, and the resolution or resolutions granting the petition shall require that the redevelopment corporation pay the city all sums expended or required to be expended by the city in the acquisition of the real property, or for any real property to be conveyed to the corporation by the city in connection with the plan, and the time of payment and manner of securing payment, and may require that the city receive, before proceeding with the acquisition of the real property, such assurances as to payment or reimbursement by the redevelopment corporation, or otherwise, as the city deems advisable. Upon the passage of a resolution by the local governing body granting the petition, the redevelopment corporation shall make 3 copies of surveys or maps of the real property described in the petition, one of which shall be filed in the office of the redevelopment corporation, one in the office of the city attorney of the city, and one in the office in which instruments affecting real property in the county are recorded. The filing of copies of surveys or maps constitutes acceptance by the redevelopment corporation of the terms and conditions contained in the resolution. The city may conduct condemnation proceedings either under ch. 32 or under other laws applicable to the city. When title to real property vests in the city, it shall convey or lease the real property, with any other real property to be conveyed or leased to the redevelopment corporation by the city in connection with the redevelopment plan, to the redevelopment corporation upon payment by the redevelopment corporation of the sums and the giving of the security required by the resolution granting the petition.

66.1313(2) (2) The following provisions apply to any proceedings for the assessment of compensation and damages for real property in a development area taken or to be taken by condemnation for a redevelopment corporation:

66.1313(2)(a) (a) For the purpose of ss. 66.1301 to 66.1329, the award of compensation may not be increased by reason of any increase in the value of the real property caused by the assembly, clearance or reconstruction, or proposed assembly, clearance or reconstruction for the purposes of ss. 66.1301 to 66.1329, of the real property in the development area. No allowance may be made for improvements begun on real property after notice to the owner of the property of the institution of the proceedings to condemn the property.

66.1313(2)(b) (b) Evidence is admissible that is relevant to the insanitary, unsafe or substandard condition of the premises, or of their illegal use, or the enhancement of rentals from illegal use, and the evidence may be considered in fixing the compensation to be paid, notwithstanding that no steps to remedy or abate the conditions have been taken by the department or officers having jurisdiction. If a violation order is on file against the premises in the department, it constitutes prima facie evidence of the existence of the condition specified in the order.

66.1313(2)(c) (c) If real property in the development area which is to be acquired by condemnation has, before acquisition, been devoted to another public use, it may be acquired provided that no real property belonging to the city or to any other governmental body, or agency or instrumentality of the city or other governmental body, corporate or otherwise, may be acquired without its consent. No real property belonging to a public utility corporation may be acquired without the approval of the public service commission or other officer or tribunal having regulatory power over the corporation.

66.1313(2)(d) (d) Upon the trial a statement, affidavit, deposition, report, transcript of testimony in an action or proceeding, or appraisal made or given by any owner or prior owner of the premises taken, or by any person on the owner’s or prior owner’s behalf, to any court, governmental bureau, department or agency respecting the value of the real property for tax purposes, is relevant, material and competent upon the issue of value of damage and is admissible on direct examination.

66.1313(2)(e) (e) In this section, “owner” includes a person having an estate, interest or easement in the real property to be acquired or a lien, charge or encumbrance on the real property.

66.1313 History History: 1991 a. 316; 1995 a. 225; 1999 a. 150 s. 416; Stats. 1999 s. 66.1313.

66.1315 66.1315 Urban redevelopment; continued use of land by prior owner.

66.1315(1) (1) When title to real property has vested in a redevelopment corporation or city, the redevelopment corporation or city may agree with the previous owners of the property, any tenants continuing to occupy or use it, or any other persons who may occupy or use or seek to occupy or use the property, that the former owner, tenant or other persons may occupy or use the property upon the payment of a fixed sum of money for a definite term or upon the payment periodically of an agreed sum of money. The occupation or use may not be construed as a tenancy from month to month, nor require the giving of notice by the redevelopment corporation or the city for the termination of occupation or use or the right to occupation or use. Immediately upon the expiration of the term for which payment has been made the redevelopment corporation or city is entitled to possession of the real property and may maintain summary proceedings or obtain a writ of assistance, and is entitled to any other remedy provided by law for obtaining immediate possession. A former owner, tenant or other person occupying or using real property may not be required to give notice to the redevelopment corporation or city at the expiration of the term for which that person has made payment for occupation or use, as a condition to that person’s cessation of occupation or use and termination of liability.

66.1315(2) (2) If a city has acquired real property for a redevelopment corporation, the city shall, in transferring title to the redevelopment corporation, deduct from the consideration or other moneys which the redevelopment corporation has become obligated to pay to the city for this purpose, and credit the redevelopment corporation with, the amounts received by the city as payment for temporary occupation and use of the real property by a former owner, tenant, or other person, less the cost and expense incurred by the city for the maintenance and operation of the real property.

66.1315 History History: 1991 a. 316; 1999 a. 150 s. 417; Stats. 1999 s. 66.1315.

66.1317 66.1317 Urban redevelopment; borrowing; mortgages.

66.1317(1) (1) A redevelopment corporation may borrow funds and secure the repayment of the funds by mortgage. Every mortgage shall contain reasonable amortization provisions and may be a lien upon no other real property except that forming the whole or a part of a single development area.

66.1317(2) (2) 

66.1317(2)(a) (a) Certificates, bonds and notes, or part interests in, or any part of an issue of, these instruments, which are issued by a redevelopment corporation and secured by a first mortgage on all or part of the real property of the redevelopment corporation are securities in which all of the following persons, partnerships or corporations and public bodies or public officers may legally invest the funds within their control:

66.1317(2)(a)1. 1. Every personal representative, trustee, guardian, committee, or other person or corporation holding trust funds or acting in a fiduciary capacity.

66.1317(2)(a)2. 2. The state, its subdivisions, cities, all other public bodies and all public officers.

66.1317(2)(a)3. 3. Persons, partnerships and corporations organized under or subject to the provisions of the banking law, including savings banks, savings and loan associations, trust companies, bankers and private banking corporations.

66.1317(2)(a)4. 4. The division of banking as conservator, liquidator or rehabilitator of any person, partnership or corporation and persons, partnerships or corporations organized under or subject to chs. 600 to 646.

66.1317(2)(a)5. 5. The commissioner of insurance as conservator, liquidator or rehabilitator of any person, partnership or corporation.

66.1317(2)(b) (b) The principal amount of the securities described in par. (a) may not exceed the limits, if any, imposed by law for investments by the person, partnership, corporation, public body or public officer making the investment.