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The process: Smart Growth Law
The Smart Growth Law, also known as the State Comprehensive
Planning Law, was enacted by the State of Wisconsin in October 1999. The
Smart Growth Law requires that every community in Wisconsin have a
comprehensive plan adopted by the governing body of the unit of
government by January 1, 2010.
Implementation of the plan is also a requirement of the Smart
Growth Law. Implementation means that all local programs and actions affecting land use must be consistent
with the comprehensive plan. Those programs or actions which are not
consistent could become void. For example, if a court of law determines
that a local
government’s zoning ordinance is not consistent with its comprehensive plan, the zoning could be invalidated.
The law contains significant incentives. Communities are eligible for
planning grants from the State and for Smart Growth Dividends, which
reward communities for planning and growing compactly.
The value of Smart Growth for
Milwaukee
Streamlining the regulation
process
Milwaukee's Comprehensive Plan will consolidate existing City policies
which are currently
scattered among various plans and studies adopted over the years.
Policy consolidation will provide clear direction for public and private
investment, minimize proposal processing and approval
time, and increase the City’s attractiveness to investors.
Improving
coordination
In the past, planning was done separately for major elements such as
housing, streets, and sewers. Implementation of the Smart Growth Law
will decrease inconsistencies and inefficiencies in the planning process
using three types of coordination:
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Coordination
within a single government among different topics (e.g. covering both housing and transportation
in a
neighborhood plan) and across departments |
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Coordination
among different levels of government (with federal agencies, the State, the
Milwaukee region, Milwaukee County, and other municipalities) |
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Coordination
with non-profits and the private sector |
Creating standard planning
procedures
Statewide comprehensive planning legislation offers the City an
opportunity to focus on creating standards for planning-related
activities. As part of the plan preparation, the City has developed:
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Standard
templates for the layout and content of plans |
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Standard
evaluation methods for updating plans |
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Standard public participation procedures |
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