The commercial districts are established to provide a range of goods and services for City residents within the City's existing commercial corridors and districts, to promote employment opportunities and the adaptive re-use of existing commercial buildings, and to maintain and improve compatibility with surrounding areas. In all of the commercial districts, consideration should be given to building and site design to provide for efficient and well-integrated use of land, to ensure compatibility with adjacent zoning districts, to control traffic, and to improve the pedestrian environment. The commercial districts are as follows:

(1)

C1 General Commercial is intended for use along the City's primary commercial corridors where moderate-intensity retail, office, and service uses are planned. Businesses that typically involve outdoor display, storage, and/or sales, motor vehicle repair, and other intensive or outdoor uses are discouraged.

(2)

C2 Highway Commercial is intended for use in locations along the City's commercial corridors where automobile-oriented businesses already dominate or are planned. Businesses that typically involve outdoor display, storage, and/or sales, motor vehicle repair, and other intensive or outdoor uses should locate in this district.

(3)

C3 Community Center Commercial is intended to provide for major commercial districts that serve a significant segment of the City's population. It is characterized by businesses that are major traffic generators requiring access from major thoroughfares, such as shopping centers and "big box" retail establishments. While these businesses are usually characterized by indoor operations, certain permitted uses may include limited outdoor activities.

(Code 1984, § 13.801)

(a)

In general. Table 44-8 lists all permitted and conditional uses allowed in the commercial districts.

(b)

Permitted uses. Uses specified with a "P" are permitted in the district or districts where designated, provided that the use complies with all other applicable provisions of this chapter. Persons wishing to establish or modify a permitted use shall obtain a zoning certificate for such use as specified in Article II of this chapter, Administration.

(c)

Conditional uses. Uses specified with a "C" are allowed as a conditional use in the district or districts where designated, provided that the use complies with all other applicable provisions of this chapter. Persons wishing to establish or expand a conditional use shall obtain a conditional use permit for such use as specified in Article II of this chapter, Administration. Condominiums are permitted in all commercial districts per Wis. Stats. Ch. 703.

(d)

Prohibited uses. Any use not listed as either "P" (permitted) or "C" (conditional) in a particular district or any use not determined by the Zoning Administrator to be substantially similar to a use listed as permitted or conditional shall be prohibited in that district. Such determination shall be made in the manner provided for in Article II of this chapter, Administration, governing determination of substantially similar uses.

(e)

Specific development standards. Permitted and conditional uses specified with an "X" under the development standards column shall be subject to the standards identified in Article XVI of this chapter, Land Use Development Standards.

Table 44-8. Principal Uses in the Commercial Districts

Note: P = Permitted Use; C = Conditional Use.

* Any establishment at which primarily alcohol beverages are served must also meet the requirements of Chapter 10, Businesses.

** See definitions section for complete list of uses.

*** Only located above the ground floor.

(Code 1984, § 13.802; Ord. No. 11-06; Ord. No. 8-09; Ord. No. 20-09; Ord. No. 37-09; Ord. No. 1-10; Ord. No. 6-12; Ord. No. 10-18, § 6, 6-19-2018; Ord. No. 09-23, § 3, 5-16-2023; Ord. No. 16-25, § 2, 7-15-2025)

Any permitted and conditional uses may be combined on a parcel or within a building, provided that all uses meet all other applicable provisions of this chapter, including any specific development standards. More than one principal building on a lot may be permitted as a conditional use, subject to the standards of Article XIX of this chapter, Site Plan Review.

(Code 1984, § 13.803)

(a)

In mixed-use buildings, residential uses shall not be permitted on the ground floor fronting the primary public street.

(b)

Warehousing areas accessory to retail sales shall be limited to 40 percent of gross floor area.

(c)

Outdoor dining areas. Outdoor dining areas may be allowed as a seasonal temporary use, in compliance with the development standards for such uses.

(d)

Outdoor speakers. Outdoor speakers shall not be audible from a residential use or residential district boundary.

(Code 1984, § 13.804)

(a)

In the C1 and C3 Districts, outdoor storage, sales, or display are permitted only when accessory to the following uses:

(1)

Greenhouse, garden supply store

(2)

Building material sales

(b)

Where permitted, outdoor storage shall be completely screened from any adjacent street, sidewalk, public walkway, public park, or residential property, in compliance with Section 44-1964. Outdoor sales and display areas shall be separated from any adjacent street, sidewalk, or public walkway by a low landscaped screen, in compliance with Section 44-1918.

(c)

Temporary/seasonal display. Retail merchandise may be displayed on a temporary basis when accessory to a permitted or conditional use. Display areas may be located on the sidewalk immediately in front of the principal building or elsewhere on the site, provided that such display does not interfere pedestrians, vehicle traffic, or required parking spaces in conflict with other sections of the Municipal Code. Storage and display of merchandise shall be setback ten feet from any property line and shall not exceed 100 square feet in total area. A temporary use permit shall be required, as specified in Article V of this chapter. Those sites exceeding 100 square feet in storage and/or display area are required to obtain a conditional use permit (CUP) per Section 44-83.

(Code 1984, § 13.805; Ord. No. 10-17)

(a)

In the C2 District, outdoor storage, sales, or display are permitted only when accessory to the following uses:

(1)

Building material sales.

(2)

Auto service station, in compliance with Article XVI of this chapter, Land Use Development Standards.

(3)

Automobile rental or sales.

(4)

Sales and/or service of watercraft, recreational vehicles, and agricultural equipment.

(5)

Outdoor commercial recreation.

(b)

Where permitted, outdoor storage shall be completely screened from any adjacent street, sidewalk, public walkway, public park, or residential property, in compliance with Section 44-1964. Outdoor sales and display areas shall be separated from any adjacent street, sidewalk, or public walkway by a low landscaped screen, in compliance with Section 44-1918.

(c)

Temporary display. Retail merchandise may be displayed on a temporary basis when accessory to a permitted or conditional use. Display areas may be located on the sidewalk immediately in front of the principal building or elsewhere on the site, provided that such display does not interfere with pedestrian or vehicle traffic in conflict with other sections of the Municipal Code or encroach upon landscaped areas. A temporary use permit shall be required, as specified in Article V of this chapter.

(Code 1984, § 13.806)

Development of land within the commercial districts shall follow the following standards, as well as those specified in Article XVI of this chapter, Land Use Development Standards, and Article XIX of this chapter, Site Plan Review.

(1)

Building materials. All building facades shall be designed with architecturally-finished materials. Durable materials, such as masonry or stucco, shall be used on all street-facing facades. Metal pole barn structures are prohibited.

(2)

All subsequent additions and outbuildings constructed after the erection of an original building or buildings shall be constructed of comparable materials and designed in a manner consistent with the original design, unless the entire building is being renovated.

(Code 1984, § 13.807)

Parking and loading requirements for uses in the commercial districts shall be as set forth in Article XVIII of this chapter, Off-Street Parking, Drives and Loading.

(Code 1984, § 13.808)

Sign requirements for uses in the commercial districts shall be as specified in Chapter 30, Signs.

(Code 1984, § 13.809)

Lot area and setback requirements shall be as specified in Table 44-9.

Table 44-9. Dimensional and Area Requirements, Commercial Districts

Notes to Table 44-9:

^a

Corner properties: The side facade of a corner building adjoining a public street shall maintain the front setback of the adjacent property fronting upon the same public street. If no structure exists on the adjacent property, the setback shall be a minimum of one-half the required front yard setback of the subject property's zoning district.

^b

Side and rear yards shall be required when a nonresidential use adjoins a side yard of a residential property or as necessary to provide access for deliveries, loading, etc.

^c

Heights of structures may be increased with a conditional use permit as permitted in Section 44-83.

^d

A minimum 75 feet of public street frontage is required.

^e

Surface parking lots (principal use) approved through conditional use permits shall not be required to meet the floor area ratio minimum.

(Code 1984, § 13.810; Ord. No. 13-07; Ord. No. 42-09)

Accessory uses and structures in the commercial districts shall comply with the following standards and all other applicable regulations of this chapter:

(1)

No accessory use or structure shall be constructed or established on any lot prior to the time of construction of the principal use to which it is accessory.

(2)

The accessory use or structure shall be incidental to and customarily associated with the principal use or structure served.

(3)

The accessory use or structure shall be subordinate in area, extent, and purpose to the principal use or structure served.

(4)

The accessory use or structure shall contribute to the comfort, convenience, or necessity of the occupants of the principal use or structure served.

(5)

The accessory use or structure shall be located on the same zoning lot as the principal use or structure.

(Code 1984, § 13.811)

The standards applicable to accessory buildings in the residential districts shall apply (Article VI of this chapter).

(Code 1984, § 13.812)

(a)

Attached structures. An accessory structure shall be considered attached and an integral part of the principal structure when it is connected by an enclosed passageway. Such structures shall be subject to the following requirements:

(1)

The structure shall meet the required yard setbacks for a principal structure, as established for the zoning district in which it is located.

(2)

In no case shall the total floor area of an attached garage, carport, or other accessory structure exceed the ground floor area of the principal building located on the same lot.

(3)

The structure shall not exceed the height of the principal building to which it is attached.

(b)

Detached structures. Detached accessory structures shall be permitted in commercial districts in accordance with the requirements shown in Table 44-10 and as follows:

(1)

Detached accessory structures shall be located to the side or rear of the principal building and are not permitted within the required front yard or within a side yard abutting a street, except that a surface parking lot or structure may be located within a side yard.

(2)

The structure shall meet the required rear and side yard setbacks for a principal structure, as established for the zoning district in which it is located.

(3)

The total floor area of a detached accessory building shall not exceed the ground floor area of the principal building located on the same lot.

(4)

The maximum size of a detached accessory building may be increased by up to 25 percent upon approval of a conditional use permit, provided that lot coverage requirements are satisfied.

(5)

Structures with a metal exterior finish exceeding 120 square feet shall be permitted only by conditional use permit.

(6)

No detached accessory building shall be located closer than three feet from the principal building. Distance between structures shall be measured from wall to wall.

(Code 1984, § 13.813)

Permitted accessory uses are as shown in Table 44-10.

Table 44-10. Permitted Accessory Uses in the Commercial Districts

Notes to Table 44-10:

* See Section 44-684, Outdoor Storage and Display, C1 and C3 Districts.

** See Section 44-685, Outdoor Storage and Display, C2 District.

(Code 1984, § 13.814; Ord. No. 26-02; Ord. No. 1-11; Ord. No. 9-12; Ord. No. 2-15)