Comprehensive Plans and State Statutes
In 1999, Governor Thompson signed into law what is referred to as the "Smart Growth" legislation (Section 66.1001 of the Wisconsin Statutes). The law provides the framework for the development, adoption and implementation of comprehensive plans in the State of Wisconsin.
Contents: The plan, at minimum, will contain specific information addressing the nine comprehensive planning elements.
Effect of the Comprehensive Plan: For all municipalities and counties that enforce zoning, subdivision and official mapping ordinances, any such actions occuring as of January 1,2010 must be consistent with a comprehensive plan. Therefore, all municipalities and counties that enforce zoning, subdivision and official mapping ordinances must have a comprehensive plan adopted by the unit of government concerned by January 1, 2010.
Public Participation: The local government unit must adopt written procedures that will foster public participation.
Adoption: The plan commission, or other body of a local government unit, prepares and recommends adoption of a comprehensive plan. Following a public hearing, the local governing body (County Board, Common Council, Village Board or Town Board) adopts the plan by ordinance.
Kenosha County Multi-Jurisdictional Comprehensive Plan
In March 2006, Kenosha County was awarded a $364,000 grant from the Wisconsin Department of Administration to prepare a comprehensive plan for Kenosha County and nine participating local governments.
Kenosha County staff and officials are working with local governments, the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC) and Kenosha County UW-Extension to produce the comprehensive plan. Under the cooperative agreement signed by all participating parties, SEWRPC drafts the plan chapters for review by the Multi-Jurisdictional Advisory Committee, the County and UW-Extension.
Multi-Jurisdictional Planning
"A multi-jurisdictional plan means two or more adjoining local government units participating in the development of a comprehensive plan that covers the jurisdictions of those local governmental units which is adopted separately by each unit under s. 66.1001, Wis. Stat."
By planning together for the future, municipalities can improve the cost and quality of public services, improve intergovernmental relationships and manage their planning resources in an efficient way.
Elements of the Comprehensive Plan
According to the Smart Growth Law, a comprehensive plan must address each of the following nine elements. However, the law does not specify how elements should be addressed, so local governments can address them in any way they deem appropriate.
Issues and Opportunities
The Issues and Opportunities Element contains background information, including population, household and employment forecasts, demographic trends, age distribution, education levels, income levels and employment. This information helps to guide the future development and redevelopment to the year 2035.
Housing
The Housing Element addresses how to provide an adequate housing supply to meet current and forecasted housing demand. This element assesses the age, structural value and occupancy characteristics of local housing stock.
Transportation
The Transportation Element deals with future development of modes of transportation, including routes for highways, public transit, bicycles, pedestrians, railways, airports and water transportation.
Utilities and Community Facilities
The Utilities and Community Facilities Element guides the future development of utilities and facilities by assessing sanitary sewer service, storm water management, water supply, solid waste disposal, parks, power generation, police, fire and public schools.
Agricultural, Natural and Cultural Resources
The Agricultural, Natural and Cultural Resources Element promotes conservation and effective resource management. This element assesses natural resources, groundwater, wetland and wildlife habitat, along with prime agriculture land and historic and cultural resources.
Economic Development
The Economic Development Element addresses the stabilization or expansion of the economic base, as well as the retention or creation of quality employment opportunities. This element evaluates the local labor force, the local economic base and other issues related to economic development.
Intergovernmental Cooperation
The Intergovernmental Cooperation Element supports joint planning and decision-making opportunities between various levels and units of government, especially in regards to building and sharing public facilities and services.
Land Use
The Land Use Element identifies a community's vision of how lands should be developed and redeveloped. This element consists of a plan for the amount, intensity and density of future land uses in the local government unit, such as agricultural, residential, commercial and industrial.
Implementation
The Implementation Element describes describes the steps necessary to carry out the plan, including proposed ordinance changes, and a schedule and procedure for updating and amending the plan.
State Comprehensive Planning Goals
The Smart Growth Law established 14 comprehensive planning goals (Section 16.965 of the Wisconsin Statutes), which will be addressed throughout the chapters of the Kenosha County Comprehensive Plan.
| - | Promoting redevelopment of lands with existing infrastructure and public services and the maintenance and rehabilitation of existing residential, commercial, and industrial structures. |
| - | Encouraging neighborhood designs that support a range of transportation choices. |
| - | Protecting natural areas, including wetlands, wildlife habitats, lakes, woodlands, open spaces, and groundwater resources. |
| - | Protecting economically productive areas, including farmland and forests. |
| - | Encouraging land uses, densities, and regulations that promote efficient development patterns and relatively low municipal, state governmental, and utility costs. |
| - | Preserving cultural, historic, and archaeological sites. |
| - | Encouraging coordination and cooperation among nearby units of government. |
| - | Building community identity by revitalizing main streets and enforcing design standards. |
| - | Providing an adequate supply of affordable housing for individuals of all income levels throughout each community. |
| - | Providing adequate infrastructure and public services and an adequate supply of developable land to meet existing and future market demand for residential, commercial, and industrial uses. |
| - | Promoting the expansion or stabilization of the current economic base and the creation of a range of employment opportunities at the state, regional, and local levels. |
| - | Balancing individual property rights with community interests and goals. |
| - | Planning and development of land uses that create or preserve varied and unique urban and rural communities. |
| - | Providing an integrated, efficient and economical transportation system that affords mobility, convenience, and safety and that meets the needs of all citizens, including transit-dependent and disabled citizens. |