Chapter 66

66.1301(1) (1) Short title. Sections 66.1301 to 66.1329 may be referred to as the “Urban Redevelopment Law”.

66.1301(2) (2) Finding and declaration of necessity. It is declared that in the cities of the state substandard and insanitary areas exist which have resulted from inadequate planning, excessive land coverage, lack of proper light, air and open space, defective design and arrangement of buildings, lack of proper sanitary facilities, and the existence of buildings, which, by reason of age, obsolescence, inadequate or outmoded design, or physical deterioration have become economic or social liabilities, or both. These conditions are prevalent in areas where substandard, insanitary, outworn or outmoded industrial, commercial or residential buildings prevail. These conditions impair the economic value of large areas, infecting them with economic blight, and these areas are characterized by depreciated values, impaired investments, and reduced capacity to pay taxes. These conditions are chiefly in areas which are so subdivided into small parcels in divided ownerships and frequently with defective titles, that their assembly for purposes of clearance, replanning, rehabilitation and reconstruction is difficult and costly. The existence of these conditions and the failure to clear, replan, rehabilitate or reconstruct these areas results in a loss of population by the areas and further deterioration, accompanied by added costs to the communities for creation of new public facilities and services elsewhere. It is difficult and uneconomic for individual owners independently to undertake to remedy these conditions. It is desirable to encourage owners of property or holders of claims on property in these areas to join together and with outsiders in corporate groups for the purpose of the clearance, replanning, rehabilitation and reconstruction of these areas by joint action. It is necessary to create, with proper safeguards, inducements and opportunities for the employment of private investment and equity capital in the clearance, replanning, rehabilitation and reconstruction of these areas. These conditions require the employment of capital on an investment rather than a speculative basis, allowing however the widest latitude in the amortization of any indebtedness created. These conditions further require the acquisition at fair prices of adequate areas, the gradual clearance of the areas through demolition of existing obsolete, inadequate, unsafe and insanitary buildings and the redevelopment of the areas under proper supervision with appropriate planning, land use and construction policies. The clearance, replanning, rehabilitation and reconstruction of these areas on a large scale basis are necessary for the public welfare. The clearance, replanning, reconstruction and rehabilitation of these areas are public uses and purposes for which private property may be acquired. Substandard and insanitary areas constitute a menace to the health, safety, morals, welfare and reasonable comfort of the citizens of the state. These conditions require the aid of redevelopment corporations for the purpose of attaining the ends recited in this subsection. The protection and promotion of the health, safety, morals, welfare and reasonable comfort of the citizens of the state are matters of public concern. Sections 66.1301 to 66.1329 are in the public interest.

66.1301(2m) (2m) Discrimination. Persons entitled to any right, benefit, facility, or privilege under ss. 66.1301 to 66.1329 may not be denied the right, benefit, facility, or privilege in any manner for any purpose nor be discriminated against because of sex, race, color, creed, sexual orientation, status as a victim of domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking, as defined in s. 106.50 (1m) (u), or national origin.

66.1301(3) (3) Definitions. In ss. 66.1301 to 66.1329, unless a different intent clearly appears from the context:

66.1301(3)(a) (a) “Area” means a portion of a city which its planning commission finds to be substandard or insanitary, so that the clearance, replanning, rehabilitation or reconstruction of that portion is necessary or advisable to effectuate the public purposes declared in sub. (2). “Area” includes buildings or improvements not in themselves substandard or insanitary, and real property, whether improved or unimproved, the inclusion of which is considered necessary for the effective clearance, replanning, reconstruction or rehabilitation of the area of which the buildings, improvements or real property form a part and includes vacant land which is in such proximity to other land or structures that the economic value of the other land or structures is impaired.

66.1301(3)(d) (d) “Development” means a specific work, repair or improvement to put into effect a development plan and includes the real property, buildings and improvements owned, constructed, managed or operated by a redevelopment corporation.

66.1301(3)(e) (e) “Development area” means that portion of an area to which a development plan is applicable.

66.1301(3)(f) (f) “Development cost” means the amount determined by the planning commission to be the actual cost of the development or of the part of the development for which the determination is made. “Development cost” includes, among other costs, all of the following:

66.1301(3)(f)1. 1. The reasonable costs of planning the development, including preliminary studies and surveys, neighborhood planning, architectural and engineering services and legal and incorporation expense.

66.1301(3)(f)2. 2. The actual cost, if any, of alleviating hardship to families occupying dwelling accommodations in the development area where hardship results from the execution of the development plan.

66.1301(3)(f)3. 3. The reasonable costs of financing the development, including carrying charges during construction.

66.1301(3)(f)4. 4. Working capital in an amount not exceeding 5 percent of development cost.

66.1301(3)(f)5. 5. The actual cost of the real property included in the development, of demolition of existing structures and of utilities, landscaping and roadways.

66.1301(3)(f)6. 6. The amount of special assessments subsequently paid.

66.1301(3)(f)7. 7. The actual cost of construction, equipment and furnishing of buildings and improvements, including architectural, engineering and builder’s fees.

66.1301(3)(f)8. 8. The actual cost of reconstruction, rehabilitation, remodeling or initial repair of existing buildings and improvements.

66.1301(3)(f)9. 9. Reasonable management costs until the development is ready for use.

66.1301(3)(f)10. 10. The actual cost of improving that portion of the development area which is to remain as open space, together with additions to development cost that equal the actual cost of additions to or changes in the development in accordance with the original development plan or after approved changes in or amendments to the development plan.

66.1301(3)(g) (g) “Development plan” means a plan for the redevelopment of all or any part of an area, and includes any amendments that are approved in accordance with the requirements of s. 66.1305 (1).

66.1301(3)(h) (h) “Local governing body” means a common council, council, commission or other board or body vested by the charter of a city or other law with jurisdiction to adopt or enact ordinances or local laws.

66.1301(3)(n) (n) “Mortgage” means a mortgage, trust indenture, deed of trust, building and loan contract or other instrument creating a lien on real property, and the indebtedness secured by each of them.

66.1301(3)(o) (o) “Neighborhood unit” means a primarily residential district having the facilities necessary for well-rounded family living, such as schools, parks, playgrounds, parking areas and local shopping districts.

66.1301(3)(p) (p) “Planning commission” means the official bureau, board, commission or agency of a city that is authorized to prepare, adopt, amend or modify a master plan for the development of the city.

66.1301(3)(q) (q) “Real property” includes lands, buildings, improvements, land under water, waterfront property, and any easements, franchises and hereditaments, corporeal or incorporeal, and every estate, interest, privilege, easement, franchise and right in or appurtenant to the real property, legal or equitable, including rights-of-way, terms for years and liens, charges, or encumbrances by mortgage, judgment or otherwise.

66.1301(3)(r) (r) “Redevelopment” means the clearance, replanning, reconstruction or rehabilitation of an area or part of an area, and the provision of industrial, commercial, residential or public structures or spaces as may be appropriate, including recreational and other facilities incidental or appurtenant to the structures or spaces.

66.1301(3)(s) (s) “Redevelopment corporation” means a corporation carrying out a redevelopment plan under ss. 66.1301 to 66.1329.

66.1301 History History: 1975 c. 94; 1981 c. 112; 1989 a. 31; 1993 a. 184; 1995 a. 225; 1999 a. 150 ss. 398 to 401; Stats. 1999 s. 66.1301; 2009 a. 95.

66.1303 66.1303 Urban redevelopment; plans, approval.

66.1303(1) (1) A development plan shall contain the information that the planning commission requires, including all of the following:

66.1303(1)(a) (a) A metes and bounds description of the development area.

66.1303(1)(b) (b) A statement of the real property in the development area fee title to which the city proposes to acquire and a statement of the interests to be acquired in any other real property by the city.

66.1303(1)(c) (c) A statement of the various stages, if more than one is intended, by which the development is proposed to be constructed or undertaken, and the time limit for the completion of each stage, together with a metes and bounds description of the real property to be included in each stage.

66.1303(1)(d) (d) A statement of the existing buildings or improvements in the development area, to be demolished immediately.

66.1303(1)(e) (e) A statement of the existing buildings or improvements, in the development area not to be demolished immediately and the approximate period of time during which the demolition of each building or improvement is to take place.

66.1303(1)(f) (f) A statement of the proposed improvements to each building not to be demolished immediately, any proposed repairs or alterations to the building, and the approximate period of time during which improvements, repairs or alterations are to be made.

66.1303(1)(g) (g) A statement of the type, number and character of each new industrial, commercial, residential or other building or improvement to be erected or made and a statement of the maximum limitations upon the bulk of buildings or improvements to be permitted at various stages of the development plan.

66.1303(1)(h) (h) A statement of those portions of the development area which may be permitted or will be required to be left as open space, the use to which each open space is to be put, the period of time each open space will be required to remain an open space and the manner in which it will be improved and maintained.

66.1303(1)(i) (i) A statement of the proposed changes in zoning ordinances or maps, necessary or desirable for the development and its protection against blighting influences.

66.1303(1)(j) (j) A statement of the proposed changes in streets or street levels and of proposed street closings.

66.1303(1)(k) (k) A statement of the character of the existing dwelling accommodations in the development area, the approximate number of families residing in the development area, together with a schedule of the rentals being paid by them, and a schedule of the vacancies in the accommodations, together with the rental demanded for the vacant accommodations.

66.1303(1)(L) (L) A statement of the character, approximate number of units, approximate rentals and approximate date of availability of the proposed dwelling accommodations to be furnished during construction and upon completion of the development.

66.1303(1)(m) (m) A statement of the proposed method of financing the development, in sufficient detail to evidence the probability that the redevelopment corporation will be able to finance or arrange to finance the development.

66.1303(1)(n) (n) A statement of 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.

66.1303(1)(o) (o) Other statements or material that are considered relevant by the applicant, including suggestions for the clearance, replanning, reconstruction or rehabilitation of one or more areas which may be larger than the development area but which include it, and any other provisions for redevelopment.

66.1303(2) (2) No development may be initiated until the adoption of a resolution of approval of the development plan by both the planning commission and the local governing body.

66.1303(3) (3) The planning commission may approve a development plan after a public hearing, and shall determine all of the following:

66.1303(3)(a) (a) That the area within which the development area is included is substandard or insanitary and that the redevelopment of the development area in accordance with the development plan is necessary or advisable to effectuate the public purposes declared in s. 66.1301 (2); if the area is comprised of vacant land it shall be established that the vacant land impairs the economic value of surrounding areas in accordance with the general purposes expressed in s. 66.1301 (2).

66.1303(3)(b) (b) That the development plan is in accord with the master plan of the city.

66.1303(3)(c) (c) That the development area is not less than 100,000 square feet in area, except that it may be smaller in area when undertaken in connection with a public improvement if it is of sufficient size to allow its redevelopment in an efficient and economically satisfactory manner and to contribute substantially to the improvement of the area in which the development is located. If the local governing body makes a finding to the effect that an area is in urgent need of development, and that development will contribute to the progress and expansion of an area whose economic growth is vital to the community, the development area may not be less than 25,000 square feet subject to the requirements of par. (d).

66.1303(3)(d) (d) That the various stages by which the development is proposed to be constructed or undertaken, as stated in the development plan, are practicable and in the public interest and where the area to be developed consists either of vacant land or of substandard or insanitary buildings or structures as provided in s. 66.1301 (3) (a), and the area is less than 100,000 square feet but more than 25,000 square feet as provided in par. (c) then the new structures to be constructed on the vacant land may not be less than 1,000,000 cubic feet.

66.1303(3)(e) (e) That the public facilities, based on whether the development is residential, industrial or commercial, are adequate or will be adequate at the time that the development is ready for use to serve the development area.

66.1303(3)(f) (f) That the proposed changes in the city map, in zoning ordinances or maps and in streets and street levels, or any proposed street closings, are necessary or desirable for the development and its protection against blighting influences and for the city.

66.1303(3)(g) (g) Upon data submitted by or on behalf of the redevelopment corporation, or upon data otherwise available to the planning commission, that there will be available for occupation by families then occupying dwelling accommodations in the development area legal accommodations at substantially similar rentals in the development area or elsewhere in a suitable location in the city, and that implementing the development plan will not cause undue hardship to those families. The notice of the public hearing to be held by the planning commission prior to its approval of the development plan shall contain separate statements to the effect that before the development plan is approved, the planning commission must make the determination required in this paragraph, and that if the development plan is approved, real property in the development area is subject to condemnation.

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.