15.45 Washburn Neighborhood Residential District
(A) PURPOSE.
The purpose of this section is to foster the City’s comprehensive plan to provide for livable neighborhoods for City residents. The Washburn Neighborhood Zoning District is created to encourage people to work and live in the City of La Crosse. This district will provide areas for recreational activities and social activities. It will encourage single family dwellings. The intent of this ordinance is to create compatibility and uniformity with respect to use of the area, homogeneity and reduction in congestion of areas of the City. This ordinance is also intended to provide for the retention or rebuilding of rental or multiple dwelling units if such multiple dwelling units provide for sufficient parking, green space, compliance with site plan guidelines and other attributes for livable neighborhoods. Grandfather rights, as provided for by law, are intended to apply. This ordinance is not intended to encourage or further large rental complex developments, particularly those that encompass more than one lot. (Ord. #4666 – 4/12/12)
(B) USE REGULATIONS.
In the Washburn Neighborhood Residential District, no building or land shall be used and no building shall be hereafter erected or structurally altered, unless otherwise provided in this chapter, except for the following uses, including uses customarily incidental to any of the permitted principal uses:
(1) Any use permitted in the Single Family (R-1) District. (Ord. #4666 – 4/12/12)
(2) Conditional Uses as provided in Section 15.26.
Washburn Residential Zoning District Boundaries
The Washburn Residential Zoning District Boundary in general is as follows (for an exact description, please view the map or contact the City Planning Department at 789-7512):
Beginning at the southwest corner of the District at the intersection of Jackson St. and 5th Ave S north to the intersection of 5th Ave S and Mississippi St, then west to the centerline of the alley between 4th St S and 5th Ave S, then north along said alley to Cameron Ave, then east to 5th Ave S, then north to Cass St, then east to the alley lying between 7th St S and 8th St S, then north along said alley to King St, then east to 8th St S, then north to the La Crosse Public Library, Main Branch, then east to 9th St S, then north to Main St, then east to the alley lying between 11th St N and West Ave, then south along said alley to King St, then east to West Ave S, then south to Cass St, then west to 11th St S, then south to Cameron St, then east to West Ave S, then south to Ferry St, then west to 11th St S, then north to Division St, then west to 10th St S, then south to the alley between Division St and Ferry St, then west to the north/south alley between 9th St S and 10th St S, then south to Ferry St, then west to 9th St S, then north to Division St, then west to 8th St S, then south to Ferry St, then east to 9th St S, then south to Market St, then east to the alley between 7th St S and 8th St S, then south to Winnebago St, then east to 8th St S, then south to Mississippi St, then west to 7th St S, then south to Jackson St, then west to the point of beginning at 5th Ave S and Jackson St.
Areas Excluded
The following areas are excluded from the Washburn Residential Zoning District: Beginning at the intersection of Winnebago St and 6th St S, north on 6th St S to its intersection with Market St, then east on Market St to the alley located between 6th St S and 7th St S, then south along said alley to the southern border of 17-30124-20 (LORD & RODOLF LOT 36 BLOCK 6), then east along the southern border of said lot to 7th St S, then south to the intersection of 7th St S and Winnebago St, then west back to the point of beginning at the intersection of Winnebago St and 6th St S.
Area to be rezoned to R-1:
Beginning at Market St and the alley lying between 5th Ave S and 6th St, north along the said alley to the intersection of the alley with Ferry St, then east along Ferry St to a line extending north from the eastern border of 17-30076-60 (Washburn House) (ALBERT JENKS SUBD LOT 6), then south along the eastern border of said lot to its southeast corner, then west and south to the centerline of the alley terminus located between 6th St S and 7th St S, then south along said alley to its intersection with Market St, and then back to the point of beginning at the intersection of Market St and the alley lying between 5th Ave S and 6th St.
Area to be rezoned to R-4:
Beginning at the intersection of Jackson St and 4th St S, north to the intersection of 4th St S and Mississippi St, then east to the intersection of 5th Ave S and Mississippi St, then south to the intersection of 5th Ave S and Jackson St, then back to the point of beginning at the intersection of Jackson St and 4th St S.
(C) HEIGHT REGULATIONS.
In the Washburn Neighborhood Residential District no building shall hereafter be erected or structurally altered to exceed 35 feet or two and one-half (2 ½) stories in height, excepting as provided in Section 15.25.
(D) AREA REGULATIONS.
(1) Front Yards. On every lot in the Washburn Neighborhood Residential (R-7) District there shall be a front yard having a depth of not less than twenty-five (25) feet, provided that: where lots comprising forty percent (40%) or more of the frontage on one side of a block are developed with buildings, the required front yard depth shall be the average of the front yard depths of the two adjacent main buildings, or if there is only one adjacent main building the front yard depth of said main building shall govern; provided further that this regulation shall not be so interpreted as to require a front yard depth of more than twenty-five (25) feet in any case. The entire front yard shall be graded and sodded or seeded in a manner which will produce an acceptable lawn excepting such areas as may be required for driveways and walks.
(2) Side Yards.
(a) On every lot in the residence district there shall be two side yards, one on each side of the building, and, except as hereinafter provided, neither of such side yards shall be less than 6 feet in width, and provided further that for any main building other than a one-family dwelling neither of such side yards shall be less than 7 feet in width, except that lots occupied by each attached dwelling unit which is located within a single structure, which is attached along a lot line which is approximately perpendicular to the street right-of-way line, shall not be required to meet this requirement other than the outer side yards of the structure in which the two attached dwelling units are located shall not be less than 7 feet in width.
(b) On any lot having a width of less than 44 feet, and of record on August 27, 1938, the width of no side yard shall be less than that heretofore prescribed less one-fourth (1/4) foot for each foot said lot is less than 44 feet in width, provided further, however, that no side yard shall be less than 4 feet in width in any case.
(c) The side yard regulations in subsection (a) and (b) shall apply to all lots including corner lots, except that in the case of a reversed corner lot which faces intersecting streets, the side yard on the street side of such reversed corner lot shall have a width of not less than fifty percent (50%) of the front yard depth required on the lots in the rear of such reversed corner lot, and no accessory building on such reversed corner lot shall project beyond the front building line of the lots in the rear of such reversed corner lot; provided, however, that this regulation for reversed corner lots shall not have the effect of reducing the buildable width for the main building to less than 26 feet, or for an accessory building to less than 20 feet, on any lot of record August 27, 1938.
(3) Rear Yards. On every lot in the residence district there shall be a rear yard having a depth of not less than twenty percent (20%) of the depth of the lot, provided such rear yard need not exceed 30 feet in depth and shall not in any case be less than 15 feet in depth.
(4) Lot Area. Every lot in the residence district of record before August 27, 1938, may have an area of less than 5000 square feet. Every lot in the residence district of record between August 27, 1938, and September 15, 1966, shall have an area of not less than 5000 square feet. Every lot in the residence district not of record September 15, 1966, shall have an area of not less than 7200 square feet. Provided, however, the lot area requirements contained in this paragraph shall not apply to lots occupied by each dwelling unit within a structure containing two attached dwelling units which are attached along a lot line which is located approximately perpendicular to the street right-of-way line so long as the lot of record before division and upon which the single structure is located contains not less than 7200 square feet. Provided further, however, in no event shall there be less than 1200 square feet of lot area per unrelated person or per bedroom, enclosure, or other room used for sleeping purposes.
(E) VISION CLEARANCE.
The vision clearance of this district shall not be less than 20 feet, determined by measuring 20 feet each way from the corner lot at the street intersection on each street lot line, or in the case of an alley, 10 feet determined by measuring 10 feet along the street line and 10 feet along the alley line.
(F) ACCESS.
Every lot shall front or abut for a distance of at least thirty (30) feet on a public street.
(G) ARCHITECTURAL CONTROL.
As part of the conditional use application process for new multi family buildings, it is recommended that the potential developer(s) meet with planning and inspection department staff to discuss architectural detail, green space, etc.
(1) Purpose.
The purpose of this section is to encourage the physical development of properties located within the Washburn Neighborhood Residential (R-7) Zoning District in a way that it will provide a higher degree of aesthetic satisfaction through architectural design and the preservation of natural beauty thereby providing for the well being of its occupants as well as for greater economic stability through preservation and enhancement of property values. The regulation of the architectural appearance of all structures to be erected, except for single family dwellings, and the substantial improvement of all existing structures which would affect their exterior appearance, except for single family dwellings, and of the site on which they are to be placed is hereby undertaken with this purpose in mind. Such regulation, however, is not intended to impose a pattern of regimented conformity to any specific architectural style, but is intended solely to prevent any development, which would substantially affect adversely the character of the neighborhood, reduce its desirability and depreciate surrounding property values. (Ord. #4666 – 4/12/12)
(2) Special application procedure.
Pre-application conference required: At least 30 days prior to filing for a Building Permit with the Buildings and Inspection Department, the owner or agent making such petition shall meet with the Planning Department and Buildings and Inspection Department to discuss the proposed building project including the purpose of the architectural review. This pre-application conference will be coordinated by the Planning Department and a building permit application cannot be applied for unless this required pre-application conference is held.
(3) Approval required for building permit.
No building permit shall be issued for any new structure, except for one or two family dwellings, or for the substantial improvement of existing structures which would affect their exterior appearance, except for one and two family dwellings, in the Washburn Neighborhood Residential (R-7) Zoning District unless it has received the approval of the Design Review Board. In reviewing each building permit application, the Design Review Board shall consider the following:
(a) Whether the design or exterior appearance of the structure is unorthodox or abnormal in relation to the surroundings so as to be unsightly or offensive to generally accepted tastes.
(b) Whether the building plans will impede the orderly development and improvement of the surrounding properties for uses permitted in the Washburn Neighborhood Residential (R-7) Zoning District.
(c) Whether the design or exterior appearance of the structure is so identical with those adjoining as to create excessive monotony and drabness.
(d) Whether the exposed façade of the structure is constructed or faced with a finish material which is aesthetically compatible with other façades and presents an attractive appearance to the public and to surrounding properties.
(e) Whether the structure is to be located in a manner which would unnecessarily destroy or substantially damage the natural beauty of the area particularly as it would adversely affect values incident to ownership of land in that area or which would unreasonably adversely affect the beauty and general enjoyment of existing residences on adjoining properties.
(f) Whether adequate measures have been taken to provide ingress and egress to the site of the structure so as to minimize traffic congestion on public streets.
(g) Whether adequate off-street parking facilities have been provided to meet the needs of the occupants of the structure.
(h) Whether the property on which the structure is to be located will be adequately landscaped.
(i) Whether the structure has its primary orientation toward a street (front door or porch), as it should be, or toward adjacent properties.
(j) Whether the building has been designed so as to be safe for its occupants and so as not to diminish the value of the neighboring properties.
(4) Design Review Board.
(a) The Design Review Board shall be composed of the members of the City Plan Commission. All members shall serve without compensation. The secretarial work of the Board shall be done by an employee of the Planning Department, and the office of the Planning Department shall be considered the office of the Board.
(b) The Design Review Board shall meet during the regularly scheduled Plan Commission meeting or at a special meeting to hear and review any applicable development submitted to it pursuant to the provisions of this section.
(c) The Design Review Board shall keep records of all its proceedings and its decisions and shall be stated in writing, including the specific reasons for refusing approval.
(5) Submittal of plans to Design review Board.
In order to insure that no applicable development would be in conflict with the provisions of this section, the Director of Planning shall submit to the Design Review Board the plans for all applicable new construction and substantial improvement to existing structures, including adequate elevations or sketches and site plans, including landscaping, to enable the Board to judge the development’s appearance. Building permits for any applicable development shall not be issued by the Department of Building and Inspections unless the Design Review Board has approved such plans. The Design Review Board shall act on all applicable building plans at the regular meeting of the City Plan Commission. If there has been no required pre-application conference held, the Design Review Board shall not schedule a meeting. Plans must be submitted to the Planning Department at least seven (7) days prior to the Design Review Board Meeting.
(6) Appeal.
Any person aggrieved by the decision of the Design Review Board may appeal the same to the Common Council’s Judiciary and Administration Committee.
(7) The Plan Review Fee shall be Fifty Dollars ($50.00). ( #4185 8/12/04)
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