Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Monroe public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
21 issues in zoning
Rear setback variance at 1121 21st Avenue
A homeowner wants to build a two-story garage addition that encroaches into the required 25-foot rear setback on a shallow 85-foot-deep lot. The board weighed the unusual lot shape against precedent and neighbor drainage concerns.
Historic district exterior alterations
Members questioned whether white vinyl windows are allowed downtown, recalling past guidelines requiring dark bronze or black for storefronts and banning mill-finish aluminum. They approved the project but asked staff to verify the rule first.
Short-term rental regulations and licensing
State law stops Monroe from banning Airbnb-style rentals, so the city is pivoting to allow them by right while adding an annual license so officials know where they operate and can hold owners accountable. Commissioners weighed fees, enforcement capacity, and whether inspections make sense.
Comprehensive plan amendment and rezoning for Monroe Bible Church parcel
A rezoning request came in that doesn't match the future land use map, triggering the required public participation plan before a comp plan amendment can be considered. A public hearing is expected in September.
Alliant Energy substation expansion rezoning
Alliant Energy wants to use a vacant lot next to its substation for utility storage, which required flipping the city's future land use map and rezoning it from residential to light industrial. Alders worried the new zoning lets the utility build bigger things later without further council sign-off.
Wisconsin Power and Light Rezoning
The council kicked off a 30-day public comment window on a plan to rezone Wisconsin Power & Light land to light industrial for a substation expansion. The actual rezone and comp plan amendment vote comes in September, so residents can still weigh in.
Downtown LED lighting standards
Permanent programmable LED lights on downtown buildings raise questions about brightness, color and how long they can stay up. Scott Thompson withdrew his application, but more are expected, so staff will draft clearer guidelines.
Awning sign lettering limit hurting relocating businesses
The zoning code and historic guidelines disagree on how big letters can be on awnings and canopies — 12 inches vs. 20 inches — and the definitions are easy to game. Staff will draft unified downtown signage rules.
Family child care zoning limits
State law now allows in-home daycares up to 12 kids; Monroe's code said 8. The council fixed the mismatch, which could mean more childcare spots for local families.
Sign rules in the historic district
Downtown property owners in the historic overlay can recreate signs that historically hung on their buildings, with two separate commission approvals required.
September 8 public hearings: in-home daycare rules and historic-district signs
Two zoning ordinance hearings are coming September 8: one repealing and recreating the in-home daycare code section, and one changing sign rules in the historic preservation overlay district.
Haven Hills Estates Rezoning
Six lots (3.54 acres) in the Haven Hills Estates subdivision were rezoned from MR-15 to TR-10, changing what can be built there. The change follows a Plan Commission public hearing and takes effect upon publication.
Permanent color lighting on downtown buildings
Scott Thompson wants permanent programmable LED lighting on Thompson Tower on the square, usable for holidays, Cheese Days, and causes like breast cancer awareness. The commission likes the concept but worries about setting a precedent for other buildings, so it tabled the request to develop guidelines first.
Potential data center zoning rules
Green County passed a one-year moratorium on data centers. Alder Sheaffer argued the city doesn't need its own because it lacks contiguous land, annexation would take time, and existing ordinances provide safeguards.
Light industrial landscaping requirement fix
A drafting error made light industrial properties meet an 80% landscaping minimum when the intent was 20%. The fix aligns the code with the original intent and heads to council.
Reduced parking requirements for multi-family housing
Four zoning changes make it easier to build two-family homes, twin houses and bigger multi-family buildings, and cut parking requirements. The goal is lowering barriers so more housing gets built in Monroe.
Multi-family density in MR-15 district
Four zoning changes make it easier to build two-family homes, twin houses and bigger multi-family buildings, and cut parking requirements. The goal is lowering barriers so more housing gets built in Monroe.
Signage at former Two Thirteen Mercantile location
A member questioned bright-blue vinyl lettering with a phone number at 1024 17th Avenue; staff said the vinyl material didn't require historic preservation or sign-permit review under the code, and will request a written summary from the zoning administrator.
Drive-thrus in the downtown CMU district
The Plan Commission is working through zoning code simplification and has discussed whether drive-thrus should be allowed in the historic district, where three currently exist.
Richland Heights rezoning
Thirty vacant lots in the Richland Heights subdivision were rezoned from mixed-use to one- and two-family residential, locking in single-family-style development there.
Deletion of DR-8 Zoning District and TR-10 Modification
Monroe simplified its two-family zoning by merging DR-8 (side-by-side duplexes) into TR-10, which now allows both side-by-side and up-and-down two-unit homes. Owners of former DR-8 parcels no longer need rezonings to convert between layouts, making two-unit housing easier to build and modify.