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Dane County prepares smart-growth plans

by Laura Salinger

Dane County grew faster in the last 10 years than it has in previous decades and the growth isn’t showing signs of slowing. From 1990-2000 the county grew 16.2 percent, up from 13.4 percent in 1980-1990. The growth is expected to continue at even higher rates.

"One hundred and fifty thousand more people are anticipated in Dane County by the year 2030," said Todd Violante, of Dane County Planning and Development,

Along with growth comes a number of issues that both positively and negatively affect the quality of life in Dane County. Average commuting time has increased from 18.1 minutes in 1990 to nearly 20 minutes in 2000. Nine square miles of farmland are lost per year in Dane County. Residential density increased from 3.1 housing units per residential acre in 1990 to 3.7 in 2000. At the same time, businesses are up one quarter since 1990. Home ownership recently increased for the first time in 30 years.

These are some of the trends identified by the steering committee for the Dane County Comprehensive Plan, a group charged with developing smart-growth guidelines that would potentially set the tone for development, land use, and environmental preservation in Dane County for decades to come. The group recently came together for a "Milestone Meeting," where they presented the current status of the Dane County Comprehensive Plan and looked to the public for more ideas.

The Dane County Comprehensive Plan took root after the Wisconsin State Legislature passed legislation which requires smart-growth planning throughout Wisconsin municipalities. The Wisconsin Act 9 requires all towns, cities, villages, and counties in Wisconsin to have a Comprehensive Plan adopted by 2010. Each plan must address issues of housing; transportation; utilities and community facilities; agricultural, natural, and cultural resources; economic development; inter-governmental cooperation; land use; and implementation.

In addition, Dane County, in partnership with 14 communities, received a grant from the state for over $400,000 which requires the incorporation of 14 planning goals and objectives into the comprehensive planning. The objectives include mandates for the protection of natural areas and efforts to create an adequate supply of affordable housing, while encouraging main street revitalization and neighborhoods which offer a wide range of transportation options. The grant expires in 2006.

To make planning more manageable, a Comprehensive Planning Steering Committee was formed to oversee the process while smaller work groups focus on more specific planning. The three work groups, consisting of Dane County Board supervisors, community leaders, and citizens are: Agricultural, Natural, and Cultural Resources (ANCR); Housing and Economic Development (HED); and Transportation, Utilities, and Community Facilities (TUCF).

"The process formally began in February of last year," Violante said. "This is a broad-based, citizen-[led], grassroots project.

Work groups explained where they are in the comprehensive planning process and where they plan to head in the future. The steering committee has identified four stages in the planning process: pre-planning; generating baseline data and goals; planning alternatives or "Land Use Synthesis”; and planning review, adoption, and implementation. The group is currently in stage two of the planning process.

The work groups presented their goals to the public which include developing a county-wide system of open space corridors; providing sufficient outdoor recreation areas; identifying long-term farm preservation areas while maintaining the economic viability of agriculture; developing comprehensive water management policies; and protecting archeological sites. HED goals include promoting low- and moderate-income housing and increasing the range of quality employment opportunities. TUCF goals included promoting affordable and environmentally sound utilities and developing a   multimodal transportation network.

Organizers have their work cut out for them as they try to transform their goals into reality. Inter-governmental cooperation, which has been identified as a component to comprehensive planning, will be key to the project.

So far, a major setback for the group has been the lack of public participation.

"If there were one thing I could change it would be more public involvement," TUCF work group member Lisa Mackinnon said. "It is really important to have people come from all walks of life who can share different experiences."

Organizers say that there will be more opportunities for the public to give their input on the plan and they hope public participation will increase.

"This plan is only as good as the ideas that you put into it," Dane County supervisor and HED work group member Eileen Bruskewitz told the public. "Next time you come, bring a friend."

For more information about the Dane County Comprehensive Plan, visit www.daneplan.org.