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County Executive's Office

Dane County and 14 Local Governments Win $277,694 Smart Growth Planning Grant

February 25, 2002
Sharyn Wisniewski, (608) 267-8823
County Executive

Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk today announced that Dane County and 14 local governments have been awarded a competitive “Smart Growth” grant of $277,694. The grant will allow the county and local governments to work together to create comprehensive plans to guide future growth. “Our diverse natural landscapes, farms, small towns and vibrant cities are planning to avoid the sprawl and congestion that results when communities fail to work together. I look forward to joining our other local governments in getting to work right away to promote smart growth.” Joining Dane County in making the grant application were the Villages of Rockdale, Cross Plains, McFarland, DeForest, Cambridge and Deerfield, and the Towns of Dunn, Medina, Windsor, York, Perry, Vienna, Oregon and Springdale. Dane County is convening the first Comprehensive Planning Workshop for the participating communities this Thursday, February 28, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Lussier Family Heritage Center at the Centennial / Lake Farm Park. County staff will be providing options on ways to proceed under the grant. All planning must be completed within four years. Dane County Board Supervisor Helen Johnson, chair of the Zoning and Natural Resources Committee, said, “This is a very positive step for Dane County and the communities involved. We look forward to working together.” The nine elements involved in the comprehensive smart growth planning process include: Issues and Opportunities: Setting goals and objectives for development and redevelopment over the next 20 years. This section includes demographic trends, employment forecasts and age and income levels. Housing: Assessing the age and supply of the current housing stock and promoting development of a range of housing choices to meet the needs of all income levels and those with special needs. Transportation: Guiding the future development of various modes of transportation, including highways, transit, bicycles, walking, railroads, air transportation, trucking, transportation for persons with disabilities, and water transport. Utilities and community facilities: Assessing future needs and guiding development of sewer and water systems, storm water management, waste disposal, recycling, parks, telecommunications facilities, power systems, cemeteries, health care and child care facilities, police, fire and rescue facilities, libraries and schools. Agricultural, natural and cultural resources: Defining effective management to safeguard natural resources including land, water, wetlands, wildlife, parks and open space. Economic development: Analyzing the labor force and economic base of the area, and assessing the types of businesses and industries that are desired. Intergovernmental cooperation: Joint decision-making with other local governments for siting and building public facilities and sharing public services. Land use: Analyzing trends in the supply of various of land uses, and potential land-use conflicts, and projecting future needs for residential, agricultural, commercial and industrial land. Implementation: Proposing changes to applicable zoning ordinances, official maps, erosion and storm water control ordinances, historic preservation ordinances, building codes and subdivision ordinances, and a process for updating the comprehensive plan. The grant was awarded under the state’s Smart Growth planning law. Several other units of government in Dane County, including the City of Madison, are also working on creating comprehensive plans under this law. # # #
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