Calumet County's Vision: Smart Growth Plan

Calumet County is a fast grow ng area with upcoming developments outlined in the newly implemented Smart Growth Plan or in formal language, The New Comprehensive Planning Legislation. Many of Calumet County's leaders speak out about the cities, towns, and villages that make tip the rural community.

Smart

According to the University of Wisconsin Madison's Department of Urban and Regional Planning Web site at http://www.wiscedu.urpl.facultyf.ohmf/smartgrowthf, prepared by Assistant Professor Brian Ohm, the legislation originated from a" ... unique coalition of groups including the Wisconsin Realtors Association, 1000 Friends of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Builders Association, the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Planning Association, the Wis consin Council of Regional Planning Organizations, the local government associations and the State." The plan was included with the 1999-2001 state budget bill along with the financial backing for planning grants. Then, on October 27, 2001, the plan was signed into law.

The Smart Growth Law

Before the adaptation of the Smart Growth Plan legislation, Wisconsin had the 1920s version of a "master plan" for cities, villages, and towns with village authority. In 1967, the definition of the "county development plan" was added. This definition pertains to all cities, villages, towns, countries, and regional planning commissions in Wisconsin, providing balanced boundaries for a unified land use planning and regulation law for Wisconsin.

The Smart Growth Plan legislation requires that "all local governments must have a comprehensive plan by January 1, 2010, if they engage in programs or actions that affect land use," states the document at http://www.wiscedu.urpl.facultyf ohmf/smartgrowthf. It also says that. "changes existing language that counties 'shall' prepare a development plan to 'may' to clarify that counties are not required to have a comprehensive plan until January 1, 2010, if they engage in programs or actions that impact land use."

After January 1, 2010, actions that involve land use need to match up to the local government's comprehensive plan. If this occurs, the plan requires that local governments adopt written procedures that also, "foster public participation and other significant new plan adaptation requirements."

The plan has to be fully adapted by the city, town, or village. There are nine elements that the communities need to address: issues and opportunities, housing, transportation, utilities and community facilities, agricultural, natural and cultural resources, economic development, intergovernmental cooperation, land use, and implementation (www.mlui.org/projects/growthmanagement/sprawl/wisconson2.html). If there are current master plans and county development plans, they can be incorporated into the Smart Growth Plan. Usually instituted plans are in place, but they are not complete. Other requirements of this program are that the body who governs the city, town, or village adopts the comprehensive plan. A few goals for the master plan are as follows: promoting urban development, protecting natural resources, preserving cultural, historic and archeological sites, providing an integrated, efficient and economical transportation system, etc. At this time, the law says that the plan commission adopt master plans. www.mlui.org/projects/growthmanagement/sprawl/wisconson2.html,).

Towns with a lower population of 2,500 or less should have a commission made up of 5 members appointed by the town chairperson. The chairperson elects the presiding officer. At least one citizen is required to be on this commission, and the elected citizen can't be a town official.

Cities, villages, and towns with a population of 12,500 people have to adopt traditional neighborhood development and conservation subdivision ordinances that are similar to ordinances developed by the University of Wisconsin Extension. Another clause in this plan is that the ordinances don't have to be mapped out.

The Smart Growth Plan puts forth a "smart growth dividend aid program." It's points to be developed by the Departments of Administration and Revenue. The first established grants are going to be available during the fiscal year 2005-06.

Brillion: Wagner

The city mission: "To preserve its small town atmosphere and quality of life while balancing the desires of the community by delivering high-quality of life programs and services in a fiscally responsible manner."

The city of Brillion is a full service community with a population of about 3000. It's located on the northern fringe of Calumet County on US Hwy. 10.

Within the last 5, 10, and twenty years, Brillion has expanded its community with a new high school and the addition of a new building for the Catholic Church (Holy Family Parish) is being constructed. Wagner says, "We are currently going though a redistricting process based on the last census. The information obtained from the survey has provided direction in analyzing service delivery [and] how the City can best provide high quality, cost effective services to its residents." One such service is the new curbside leaf pickup program.

Wagner also mentioned that Brillion is beginning their Smart Growth Plan. She says, "Smart Growth requires that the public participates in the planning process. For this reason, the majority of committee members are public at large participants." Wagner also states that there isn't a lot of information available since, "as required by the Smart Growth Law. No final documents will be drafted until 2003, so no information is available at this time." Wagner does say, "All plans implemented at any time in the City of Brillion are implemented for the benefit of the residents."

Wagner adds that, "A Downtown Revitalization group has been established. Because of the common downtown issues, the business community and various citizens have established a downtown revitalization group. It's important to note that the Brillion citizenry is for the most part, very community minded."

When asked how the Brillion public is involved in decision making, Wagner says, "The Brillion public voices is a need that's up to the City Government to address the concerns and find the best solution to the issue." Wagner goes on to say, "For instance, after years of debate and referendum, the school board and school district finally reached a decision to build a new school."

Brillion has a vast number of activities available for those inside and outside of the community Wagner says, "Brillion has a first rate Community Center, parks, and a recreation and aquatic program. Programming for all ages is the goal for the department." The library is very successful, which is up to date on today's technology; it provides programming for the young and old. Wagner mentions, "Citizens can enjoy our park facilities." The Brillion area is home to many civic-minded organizations. Other attractions include the Brillion Nature Center with hiking year round, winter activities, and summer celebrations, etc.

Location attracts most businesses to Brillion. Companies such as the Ariens Company, Brillion Iron Works, Inc., Endries International, Inc., and Professional Plating, Inc, employ some of the residents of Brillion.

What does Wagner see in her crystal ball for the future? Wanger says, "[The] comprehensive plan compilation, Market Analysis Study for the Brillion Business District to be completed by fall 2002, Downtown Revitalization Group Activities and Studies, City of Brillion Website enhancements."

When asked about the downfall of the city, Wagner comments, "There is no downfall!"

What attracts residents to Brillion? Wagner says, "[The] quality of life, close proximity to larger cities, [the] small town atmosphere, big city municipal services, [a] low crime rate, and good people."

Chilton: Klessig

DuWayne Klessig says, "By 2010 everyone needs to have a plan. [The Smart Plan] outlines how process has to occur. Share your plan with neighbors."

Calumet County is experiencing significant growth, says Klessig; the northwestern part of the county is what Klessig says, "Is by far the fastest growing part. The residential growth in the Town of Harrison is seeing very significant growth. 204 homes in one township."

Klessig says that there are significant job opportunities in the Calumet area because the development of the "paper industry has helped commercial development. " He says that paper industry has lead to spin-offs from the paper industry, such as packaging containers, and the paper industry enhances local technology.

Elements that attract residents to Chilton are as follows: low taxes, cost of lots, larger lots, the rural feel, country sense, and Chilton is close to work and home. Klessig says, "[A] significant amount of recreational services, parks, and 3 county parks. [There] are good employment opportunities in manufacturing."

Kiel: Dedering

Dedering says, "[Kiel] is a quiet community A great place to raise a family" He says that there is a lot of residential land is available. There has been a 10-20 percent increase in the population of Kiel in the last one to five years, and in the last ten years, Mel has grown about 18 percent.

Recently, the residents of Mel were asked to complete a survey, and the results are as follows: The residents overwhelming responded to no housing downtown and they felt that the city of Mel needs elderly housing. Out of 100 percent of the population, the percentages below are of those residents feel that more of these things are needed in Kiel.

Highway commercial 59 percent, major commercial 65 percent, small neighborhoods 74 percent, major food 65 percent, supper clubs 80 percent, professional services 59 percent, hotel/motel 82 percent, light industry 81 percent, and heavy industry 44 percent.

The main attraction to the area according to Dedering is the T.I.F. (Tax, Incremental, Financing). Walmart was the first TLF built. Dedering says, "[It] helped the city of Mel grow over the last 12 years." He projects that there will be about 100-150 homes built within the next twenty years. Dedering states, "T.I.F. develop everything and there is no tax on it." The lots for residential homes are fairly reasonable in the Mel area. About 75-100 homes were built in recent years. He says, " [T. I. F. is] a selling tool for all cities."

Overall, Dedering's future focus for the community within Calumet County is to "get people in and start building and constructing" in the city of Mel. Sherwood: Van Lieshout

Van Lieshout says, "[Sherwood] adapted a Land Use Plan and will incorporate the Smart Growth Plan closer to 2010, and we retain zoning and land division authority." He says that there was a survey sent to the residents of Sherwood, and they held a listening session in March of 2001 to include the residents of Sherwood in decisions made about their community. Van Lieshout says that the residents are looking, "to identify themselves as living in a small community."

The residents of Sherwood are looking for more services. Van Lieshout says, "[There] is a demand for services beginning to appear that wasn't always there before." The services that Van Lieshout is speaking about are as follows: recreation services, regular municipal services, like snow removal and street maintenance, lawn mowing, open space, utilities such as sewer service, and public water supply.

Although Van Lieshout says, "We [Sherwood] like our private elementary school a lot," he also stated, "Having a public school would bring together the rest of the community in the fashion that would add to that close knit element." Most of the students are either going to Kaukauna High School and to a lesser degree to Hilbert High School.

For the future of Sherwood, Van Lieshout says "We [Sherwood] just want to be Sherwood and be small. A lot of people prefer it that way. A lot of people move to Sherwood because we are small."