As an example, there are presently numerous residential properties within areas hereinafter designated commercial. It is desirable to permit these residential uses to be continued if in so doing orderly expansion of commercial enterprises is not inhibited or prevented. However, if the residential uses are desirable, then such uses should be entitled to reasonable extensions, repairs, alterations and restoration in order to provide some of the additional amenities desired by such users. It is also conceivable that a former commercial use within the commercial district should be changed to residential because the type of structure, location or changing business conditions might be such that a continued commercial use is not particularly feasible.

This Board hereby finds and determines that for a limited number of people, and particularly among elderly people, living within a commercial area or in close proximity to a commercial area is as much of an amenity as an adequate lawn, a proper setback and other typical residential amenities. Also there is present vacant land within the commercial district where it may appear more feasible and logical to permit some residential development than to indefinitely restrict to commercial.

The determination of these questions is uncertain because of the uncertainties of possible commercial development in a village of this size located near a metropolitan area like Madison.

It is the further determination of this Board that the necessary control of these somewhat conflicting forces can be best accomplished through conditional uses passed upon each time by this Board.

These facts, determinations and conclusions are included herein in order to show the intent of this Board to maintain reasonable and desirable control in this area without straightjacketing such desirable present uses under the rigid restrictions provided in § 62.23(7)(h), Wis. Stats., Nonconforming uses. Such flexibility also appears desirable in other areas, and for that reason this Board in developing this chapter has freely used the conditional use approach.