How can you get involved in planning the future of your community?

Ways you can participate in comprehensive planning.

Attend public educational meetings
Educational programs are offered throughout the planning process by various groups such as; U.W.-Extension, Regional Planning Commissions, Planning and Zoning Department, and other organizations. You can find out more about comprehensive planning and local planning efforts.

Respond to community surveys
Community surveys help your local government officials and plan commission better understand the needs, concerns and wishes of residents and property owners. A community survey is your opportunity to share your opinions and participate in the planning process.

Participate in local focus groups
Focus groups are very useful for uncovering issues and concerns. Usually 5 to 15 citizens are invited to participate in the focus group. A variety of questions are asked to better understand the participants views, attitudes, feelings and/or beliefs about an issue or issues.

Stay informed by reading
By reading drafts of the plan, newspaper articles, websites, local information bulletins, minutes from meetings and educational materials, you will know what is taking place and when.

Provide written input
Written comments on the plan can be sent to the planner, local government, or the planning committee/commission . You should indicate if you want your comments read to the public or to particular people. By writing, your comments are recorded in your own words.

Participate in visioning workshops
By participating in a visioning workshop, you can be a part of development of a written description or image of what the community should be like in the future. The rest of the plan identifies what needs to be done and how to make that vision of the future come true.

Serve local committees or plan commission
By serving on a local planning committee or plan commission you can be directly involved in the creation of a comprehensive plan with the assistance of a planner The plan commission approves the plan before it is given to the town, village, city, or county board for approval.

Participate in public hearings and open houses
At a public hearing or open house, you can learn the contents of a plan and make comments.

What a planning process might look like.

  • Initial information and education
  • Prepare citizen participation plan
  • Gather community data
  • Outline goals and objectives
  • Strategy formulation
  • Review final draft
  • Plan approval by the plan commission
  • Public hearing
  • Plan approval by local government
  • Implementation Assessment and re-evaluation

Reality Check

The planning process can offer opportunities for you to voice your opinion but it is ultimately your responsibility to take advantage of those opportunities and participate in the process.

As you participate in the planning process, you may find that others may not share your opinions and ideas. It is important to listen to conflicting views and needs and work together to help your local government officials.

Local Planning Efforts

Check out these helpful websites

UW Extension -Local Government Center: http://localgovernment.extension.wisc.edu/

Office of Land Information Services (608) 267-2707: www.doa.state.wi.us/olis/

East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (920) 751-4770: www.eastcentralrpc.org

1000 Friends of Wisconsin (608) 259-1000: www.1000friendsofwisconsin.com

American Planning Association: http://www.planning.org/

Wisconsin Chapter of the American Planning Association: http://www.wisconsinplanners.org/

Marquette County Comprehensive Planning Information: http://co.marquette.wi.us

UW Extension Waushara County – Planning Information