OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT
County Administration Building, 410 S. Walnut Street, Appleton, WI  54911
Telephone: (920) 832-5255       Fax:  (920) 832-4770

Outagamie County Smart Growth
State Legislation Summary

Wisconsin's new "Smart Growth" law (1999 Wisconsin Act 9) was signed into law on October 27, 1999 by Governor Thompson as part of the 1999-2000 state budget.  Subsequent technical changes to these provisions through 1999 Assembly Bill AB 872 were signed into law by the Governor on May 23, 2000.   This legislation contains a number of major land use planning provisions, including:

1.)  A definition of a comprehensive plan that contains nine elements:
          *  Issues and opportunities
          *  Housing
          *  Transportation
         *  Utilities and community facilities
          *  Agricultural, natural and cultural resources
          *  Economic development
          *  Intergovernmental cooperation
          *  Land use
          *  Implementation
2.)  Planning goals were established for the results of the local plans.
3.)  A new state planning grant program is created.
4.)  Smart Growth Dividend Aid Program was created.
5.)  Communities making land use decisions will be required to have a comprehensive plan and to make decisions that are consistent with the plan by January 1, 2010.
6.)  UW Extension is provided a position to educate the public and policy makers about the new law.
7.)  UW Extension is required to develop model ordinances for traditional neighborhood design and conservation subdivisions.
8.)  Comprehensive plans must be adopted by the local governing body after public hearings.
9.)  Three and a half million dollars is made available for planning grants over the next two years (see planning grants program information).

For additional information on the Wisconsin comprehensive planning legislation, contact the Office of Land Information Services, Wisconsin Department of Administration (608) 267-2707.