county

Residential neighbors challenged zoning ordinance which allowed oil and gas operations and permit issued for a gas well nearby pursuant to the ordinance. Some of the objections of the neighbors were that the zoning ordinance did not adeuately protect the local water supply, limit noise, or reduce light pollution.

Developer sought to rezone property to Recreational Vehicle Park/Campground (RVP) and in response the County adopted an ordinance to amend the zoning plan. Neighboring property owner challenged the rezoning ordinance, citing potential increase of traffic, litter, noise, and light pollution. Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) ruled that the County's rezoning of property to include the RVP was invalid because it rendered the zoning plan "internally inconsistent." The Administration Commission adopted the ALJ's ruling.

A landowner applied to the Dane County Board of Adjustment (BOA) for a conditional use permit in the A-1 Agriculture District Exclusive under the Dane County Zoning Ordinance to build a radio station tower for the University of Wisconsin-Madison's use. The Town of Montrose and individuals within the town appealed to the BOA that the proposed tower was not government use and alleging that it would be not in keeping with the statutory requirements for A-1 Exclusive Districts because of its size, obtrusiveness, lights, and other features. The BOA determined that a tower for a University of Wisconsin-Madison student-run radio station was not "governmental use" because the testimony failed to show that operation of such a radio station by the University of Wisconsin "is an integral part of its educational mission."

Plaintiffs, whose property is located within a zone over which aircraft from Arcata-Eureka Airport routinely fly, challenge the constitutionality of a Humboldt County general plan requirement that they provide an aircraft overflight easement as a condition for obtaining a building permit to make minor alterations to their residence, arguing that the easement requirement constitutes a taking of their property without payment of just compensation. The overflight easement grants the County the right to, among other things, "regulate or prohibit light emissions that might interfere with pilot vision."

Religious and educational institution purchased property with the intent to build a structure at which to conduct its regular activities. Neighbors objected based on noise and light pollution concerns. Institution alleged religious discrimination after County denied the conditional use permit for the property. Institution and County both moved for summary judgment.

The Board of County Commissioners approved a special use permit for Black Forest Mission, LLC (BFM) to build a greenhouse or set of them in the Black Forest preservation area. Some residents initially objected to BFM's plan for the building of the greenhouse because of concerns related to light pollution, obstruction of views, and traffic congestion, however, BFM revised its plan to address these concerns and resubmitted its plan to the Board of County Comissioners. The plaintiff, Friends of Black Forest Preservation Plan, Inc., objected to the Board of County Comissioners approving BFM's updated plan by arguing it was inconsistent with the Master Plan for the preservation area.

Township Board's and trial court's decisions allowed for the construction of a gas compressor station adjacent to landowners' farm. Landowners appealed on the basis that evidence that the station will negatively affect public health and welfare was not considered and that they were denied the opportunity to present additional evidence. The township's conditions for the gas compressor station already required the station to minimize nighttime lighting.

Property owner sought to rezone property from residential to business to build service/gas station and was denied by County Board of Commissioners due to increased traffic, noise, and light pollution concerns. Property owner filed complaint alleging violation of substantive due process and confiscatory taking.

Landowners brought suit against county for rezoning adjacent land, alleging inadequate or improper notice of rezoning and injury to landowners' use of their land. Specifically, the plaintiff's complaint mentioned light pollution.

Property owner sought to rezone land adjacent to industrial park known as the Blue Sky Rural Activity Center ("Blue Sky") to be included as part of the park in order to develop land for light industrial use. Property had been designated as a buffer zone between Blue Sky and rural agricultural land. The Urban County Planning Commission denied the application because development of the land would increase surface water runoff, traffic hazards, water and light pollution, and would alter the visual and aesthetic character of the rural area. Property owner appealed.