Description: For the purposes of this chapter, special events are categorized as either major or minor depending on potential impacts the event may have on public health, safety, and welfare. Division 9 of Article 7 describes the requirements and procedures for reviewing special events.

Initiation:The person responsible for the event may submit an application for a special event.

Decision-maker(s): Minor - zoning administrator; major - Common Council

Application fee: None

Submittal deadline: Major - 2 weeks before Plan Commission meeting; minor - 30 days before event

Basis of decision:

1. The date and location of the event in relation to any other special event that may conflict with the proposed event;
2. The duration of the event;
3. The size of the parcel on which the proposed use will occur;
4. The suitability of the subject property for the proposed use;
5. Whether adequate parking will be provided;
6. The presence of and compatibility with other uses on the subject property;
7. The location of the proposed use on the subject property (e.g., proximity of the proposed use to other existing);
8. Effects of the proposed use on traffic safety and efficiency and pedestrian circulation, both on-site and off-site;
9. Effects of the proposed use on the natural environment;
10. Effects of the proposed use on surrounding properties, including operational considerations relating to hours of operation and creation of potential nuisances; and
11. Any other factor that relates to the purposes of this chapter as set forth in s. 1-5 or as allowed by state law.

Procedure:
   (a) Major temporary use

1. Submittal of application materials. The applicant shall submit a completed application and other required materials to the zoning administrator along with the application fee as may be established by the Common Council.
2. Special notice. Depending on the nature of the special event, the zoning administrator shall provide a copy of the application to the Washburn Police Chief, Washburn Fire Chief, and other department heads.
3. General notice. Consistent with Division 2 of Article 6, the zoning administrator shall place the matter on the meeting agenda of the Common Council.
4. Common Council meeting. Allowing for proper notice, the Common Council shall consider the application at a regular or special meeting.
5. Decision. The Common Council shall make a decision based on the decision criteria contained in this division to (1) approve the special event, (2) approve the special event with conditions, or (3) deny the special event.
6. Preparation of decision notice. Based on the action of the Common Council, the zoning administrator shall prepare a decision notice consistent with this division.
7. Applicant notification. Within a reasonable time following the Common Council’s decision, the zoning administrator shall mail the decision notice to the applicant by regular mail
8. Staff review. Within 30 days of submittal, the zoning administrator shall either determine that the application is incomplete and notify the applicant, in writing, of any deficiencies or make a decision based on the decision criteria contained in this division to (1) approve the application, (2) approve the application with conditions, or (3) deny the application. The zoning administrator shall take no further steps to process the application until the deficiencies are remedied. The incomplete application shall be retained as a public record.
9. Applicant notification. Within a reasonable time following his or her decision to approve or deny the application, the zoning administrator shall mail the decision notice to the applicant by regular mail.
10. Public record copy. A duplicate copy of the decision notice shall be retained as a public record.

  (b) Minor temporary use

1. Submittal of application materials. The applicant shall submit a completed application and other required materials to the zoning administrator along with the application fee as may be established by the Common Council.
2. Staff review. Within 30 days of submittal, the zoning administrator shall either determine that the application is incomplete and notify the applicant, in writing, of any deficiencies or make a decision based on the decision criteria contained in this division to (1) approve the special event, (2) approve the special event with conditions, or (3) deny the special event. The zoning administrator shall take no further steps to process the application until the deficiencies are remedied. The incomplete application shall be retained as a public record.
3. Applicant notification. Within a reasonable time following his or her decision to approve or deny the application, the zoning administrator shall mail the decision notice to the applicant by regular mail.
4. Public record copy. A duplicate copy of the decision notice shall be retained as a public record.

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