Big Box Ordinance, Stoughton, Wisconsin (2003)
Topics: Traffic/Sprawl | Zoning Regulations
Requires all retail stores over 20,000 s.f. to get a conditional use permit. Places a 110,000 s.f. cap on any individual building. Requires large retail to be “properly located…and compatible with the surrounding area and the overall community character of the city. Applicant must provide a “compatibility report” showing that the project will be compatible with the city’s Comprehensive Plan and any Detailed Neighborhood Plan.” Requires a community impact analysis, and a detailed economic and fiscal impact analysis. Has some aesthetic quality design standards, and building design standards. For projects over 40,000 s.f. the developer has to put up the funding to allow the city to hire “a traffic engineer of the city’s choice. If a project causes any road or intersection to fall below a level of service (LOS) C, the city has the right to deny the application, or require a size reduction.” Has some weak features, like allowing outdoors storage uses. Finally, if a building remains vacant for 96 months, “the city may order the property owner to demolish the building and restore the site to ‘greenfield’ status.
