FRONT PAGE | NEXT ARTICLE

Status of Comprehensive Planning and Educational Needs in Wisconsin

In May 2006, the UW-Extension Community Planning and Plan Implementation Team conducted a survey of Extension professionals to learn more about comprehensive planning efforts throughout the state. The survey attempted to gauge the current status of comprehensive planning efforts in Wisconsin communities, understand UW-Extension�s involvement in those efforts, and identify challenges and educational needs faced by communities that have not started a planning process. This article highlights some of the findings from the survey. The full report is available online at: www.uwsp.edu/cnr/landcenter/pubs-other.html.

Status of County Comprehensive Planning Efforts

The map ( 2.6 MB) depicts the current status of county-level comprehensive planning efforts in Wisconsin. The data shown on the map was compiled from survey responses and has since been updated with records maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Administration and conversations with county staff.

Just over half of Wisconsin counties (39 of 72) have officially adopted or are working towards completion of a comprehensive plan. Of these, thirty-two counties were awarded a comprehensive planning grant from the Wisconsin Department of Administration and seven are planning without a grant. So far, eleven counties have completed a comprehensive plan and adopted it by ordinance; the others are still developing or working to approve their plans.

Of the remaining thirty-three counties, most have shown some progress towards creating a comprehensive plan. Six counties recently completed a land use plan. (A land use plan does not comply with the definition of a comprehensive plan because it does not contain all nine elements). Some of these communities have expressed a desire to use their land use plans as a starting point to create a comprehensive plan. Three communities with a land use plan applied for funding to do so.

In the 2007 comprehensive planning grant cycle, fifteen counties applied for funding. However, it is unlikely that they will all receive funding. Four additional counties report that they intend to submit a grant application in the near future. Five counties, including Monroe, Vernon, Rusk Oneida and Langlade, currently have no plans to create a comprehensive plan.

Factors Hindering Local Comprehensive Planning Efforts

When asked about factors hindering local planning efforts, lack of financial and staff resources were rated most highly. Lack of political support and property rights concerns were also highly rated. Extension professionals did not feel that a lack of educational resources related to comprehensive planning was a factor.

Educational Needs

Although educational materials were not rated as a factor hindering local planning processes, survey respondents did weigh in on what additional educational resources they would like to see created or improved. As communities move forward in their planning processes, their educational needs have changed. While early materials, such as those that considered how to prepare for a planning process or hire a planning consultant were once urgent, communities are now focusing more on tangible products such as data, maps and ideas to implement their plans. Education related to plan implementation strategies and model or exemplary plan examples were the most highly-rated educational needs.

Authors and Acknowledgements

This survey was developed as a joint effort of the UW-Extension Community Planning and Plan Implementation team. The survey instrument was created by team members Eric Olson, Rebecca Roberts, Douglas Miskowiak and Patrick Nehring. The survey report and analyses were generated by Rebecca Roberts. The map was created by Douglas Miskowiak. Many thanks to Mary Lucas who assisted with survey design and administration.

FRONT PAGE | NEXT ARTICLE