Does Maple Bluff have a new zoning ordinance?
Yes. On June 10th, the Village Board repealed its former zoning ordinance and adopted a new zoning ordinance in its place. That new ordinance is now in full effect, and is located here. All proposals and property conditions from now forward will be reviewed under this new ordinance. It may take some time to update the Village’s code of ordinances on its website to reflect this change.
What is the zoning ordinance?
Maple Bluff’s former zoning ordinance divided the Village into different zoning districts, and for each zoning district specified different land uses and activities allowed and setbacks, building design, signage, and other standards required. The Village’s zoning map showing the districts is to the right. The Village currently has another older map that shows minimum building setbacks for each lot. There have been no changes to these zoning maps as part of this process, but the Village has planned an effort to combine and fully digitize the zoning map in the coming year or two.”
Why did the Village
update its zoning ordinance?
The update helps preserve the identity of the Maple Bluff community as a small, attractive, pedestrian-friendly lakeside community with a desirable character and sense of place. At the same time, the update reflects the many changes since the ordinance was last revisited 20 years ago. These include, for example, how people live, work, and recreate and what building materials and signage options are available. Maple Bluff households are increasingly seeking exterior renovations and additions to meet modern needs, which are guided by zoning regulations and processes.
Some standards and processes in the former ordinance differed from those desired by today’s residents and officials. Relatedly, the former ordinance addressed setbacks, land divisions, comprehensive plan amendments, and other topics in a manner that was sometimes confusing, which resulted in different interpretations and disagreements. To better clarify and communicate rules, the updated ordinance increases definitions, introduces graphics, and utilizes objective and measurable standards wherever practical.
How did the Village
update its zoning ordinance?
In March 2023, the Village Board appointed a Zoning Ordinance Update Steering Committee to guide the process and approved the Committee’s charge. The Committee was made up mainly of members of the Board, Plan Commission, and other Village committees. The consulting Village Planner supported the Committee; he has worked with Maple Bluff since the late 2000s and updated other villages’ zoning ordinances. The process is documented in this work program. Following the Committee’s December 2, 2024 recommendation, the updated ordinance required a recommendation from the Village’s Plan Commission and adoption by the Village Board. The Commission—with support from the Building Board—reviewed and advised adjustments to the draft over winter 2025, and recommended the updated ordinance following a public hearing on April 15, 2025. The Board adopted the updated ordinance on June 10, 2025.
Were Village residents,
landowners, and business owners involved in the process? How and when?
Yes! Community involvement was central to the zoning ordinance update process.
Early in summer 2023, the Village surveyed recent applicants for Building Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Plan Commission approvals, and met with those three bodies to discuss update priorities. Later in summer, the Village conducted a broader community survey to learn the vision and values of Maple Bluff residents and property owners. The results of the applicant survey are here, the results of our board and committee discussions and case reviews are here, and the results of the general community survey are here.
Other opportunities for community involvement were described in the project work program, and featured a 2-month comment period in fall 2024.
Can you share more information about the general community survey results?
We thank everyone who completed the survey. In total, about 30% of Maple Bluff’s adult population responded—a very good response rate. The results are here. In overview:
- Many supported policies that preserved their priority of maintaining Maple Bluff as
a small, waterfront community. - Preservation of private property rights were important to most respondents, but so was
maintaining a community interest in compatible land use and historic character. - Most were interested in objective and measurable zoning standards that were also
enforceable. - Results suggested reasonable levels of support for new or revised policies related to
burying overhead utilities, fencing (height, materials, view impacts),
stormwater management, and mature tree preservation. - There was little interest in expanded housing types, vacation rentals, or expanded
home businesses in residential areas or on current publicly-owned lands—but
more interest in extended family suites and alternative energy in residential
areas. - There was significant interest in owner flexibility for home remodeling projects,
with less interest in flexibility for new or expanded structures near the
shoreline or resulting in new homes.