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Date Filed Fee Receipt No. Vendor No. Name: Address: Phone: Email: Legal Description: Lot(s) Block Subdivision Name: Section Lot Area & Dimensions: ft. x ft. Tax Parcel No: Town Property Address: Lake Classification: Zone District: Reason for Appeal - Check the type of administrative decision appealed: Dispute interpretation of zoning district Describe petitioner’s boundary location Describe petitioner’s boundary Dispute administrator’s ordinance interpretation (include section Describe petitioner’s interpretation and Appeal of administrative decision/measurement/order: I certify that the information I have provided in this application is true and accurate. Petitioner Signature: Date: Printed Petitioner Name: Revised 3/22/22 DOUGLAS COUNTY PLANNING, ZONING & LAND INFORMATION OFFICE 1313 BELKNAP STREET, ROOM 206 – SUPERIOR, WI 54880 715- 395-1380 or FAX [PHONE REDACTED] ADMINISTRATIVE APPEAL APPLICATION FORM DOUGLAS COUNTY BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT ---PAGE BREAK--- ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS APPEALS An administrative appeal is a legal process provided to resolve disputes regarding ordinance interpretation (including decisions about jurisdiction, district boundary location, development standards, related measurements and procedures) and where the reasonableness of a zoning department order is challenged. Where zoning ordinance language is unclear or contested, it must be interpreted in order to implement local land use policies. Appointed officials and staff who administer an ordinance interpret its provisions routinely and must apply them consistently. Their interpretations should reflect the understanding of the zoning committee on the matter since this body is responsible for local land use policy administration. The committee is in turn, politically responsible to the Douglas County Board of Supervisors for accurate interpretation of adopted policies. However, when zoning ordinance interpretation or an administrative decision is formally contested, state statutes require the Board of Adjustment to resolve the questions. Their decisions may be appealed through the courts. Following are the legal standards for appeals and guidelines for ordinance interpretation. Standing to appeal. Any aggrieved person and any officer, department, board or bureau of the municipality affected by an administrative decision of a zoning officer may appeal the decision to the Board of Adjustment. Time limit for appeal. A reasonable time limit within which an appeal must be initiated should be specified by board rules or in the local ordinance (e.g. within 30 days after effective notice of a decision). Determining when to commence the appeal period and its length present practical problems. An appeal period should commence when parties have notice of a decision that may affect them. Most jurisdictions require conspicuous posting of a zoning permit as one means of providing such notice to neighbors. Since a great number of administrative decisions are made each day, it is reasonable to require or encourage owners and developers to provide notice to potentially affected parties before they start construction. Stay on appeal. Filing of an appeal stays (puts on hold) the decision appealed. The stay is invalidated if the officer whose decision is appealed certifies to the Board of Adjustment that staying the decision would cause imminent peril to life or property. The officer must provide facts supporting that determination. The stay may be reinstated by the Board of Adjustment or a court. Reinstatement requires an application, notice to the administrative officer and a determination that delaying the project would not cause imminent peril to life or property.