Development is governed by the Town's Comprehensive Plan and Subdivision Ordinance (Chapter 15 of the Town Code of Ordinances). Application for most steps is made using the Petition for Change of Land Use and related supplemental checklists.
Typical steps for rezones with land division by Certified Survey Map
- Consult the Town Clerk for advise regarding Town Code and procedures and any obvious issues before the process begins to ensure the proposed project is in line with the Town’s Comprehensive Plan. The Clerk may involve other Staff as needed.
- Apply to Dane County for the rezone.
🔗 See https://danecountyplanning.com/Zoning/Rezone for more information - Once the County has accepted your application as complete, apply to the Town using the Petition for Change of Land Use. Also submit at least a preliminary CSM that includes all of the items on the CSM additional requirement checklist. Submit both of these with the rezone fee listed on the Petition for Change of Land Use. No separate CSM fee is needed when the CSM is in conjunction with a rezone.
- Commercial development is also subject to Design Review under TCG Section 12.08, which begins on page 11 at this link: TCG Chapter 12 - Building Code. It is best to do this at the same time as a rezone or CUP application if the ownership/use of the lots to be created is known at that time. Please submit all of the items on the Design Review Additional Items checklist along with the Design Review fee on the Petition for Change of Land Use.
- Complete petitions received by the first Wednesday of the month will be considered by the Plan Commission on the fourth Wednesday of that same month. Assuming the Plan Commision acts on the petition at that meeting, it will be forwarded to the Town Board at their meeting on the first Monday of the next month.
Typical steps of subdivision development (residential or commercial)
- Pre-application meeting between the developer and Town staff to acquaint Town Staff with the proposed project, provide the opportunity for Staff to advise the applicant about Town Code and procedures and any obvious issues before the process begins and ensure the proposed project is in line with the Town’s Comprehensive Plan. The pre-application process will direct the applicant to the appropriate procedures and next steps.
- Comprehensive Development Plan review by the Plan Commission and Town Board to help determine whether the proposed layout/subdivision of land is satisfactory from the standpoint of public interest. The CDP also provides an avenue for the subdivider to get constructive input from the Plan Commission and Town Board before investing the substantial time and money that a Preliminary Plat requires.
- Rezoning of the property for the proposed new use (residential or commercial). Application for the rezone should be made to Dane County first, then to the Town once the County accepts the application as complete.
- Preliminary plat review - often at the same time as the rezoning
- Final Plat Review
- Plat and related development agreements and covenants filed with the Dane County Register of Deeds
- Construction of the improvements
- Dedication of the improvements to the Town