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Planning Division


The Planning Division serves as principal planner for long-range planning programs such as comprehensive planning, provides professional planning expertise on a variety of land use and natural resource related issues, recommends strategies and programs to promote responsible growth and development of the County and its communities, compiles and analyzes information and statistical data for the public, and assists in park and open space acquisition and development projects.

Comprehensive Planning Overview
Washington County and the following 11 municipalities formally agreed to work together in a single planning effort to develop a multi-jurisdictional comprehensive (smart growth) plan and local plans that fulfill the requirements of the Wisconsin Comprehensive Planning Law enacted in 1999.

Comprehensive Planning LinksLocal Government Partners
Comprehensive Plan Chapters Town of Addison
Comprehensive Plan Summary (9.55 MB) Town of Barton
Preliminary Chapter Approvals Town of Erin
County Wide Survey Town of Farmington
Agricultural, Natural, and Cultural Resources Workgroup Town of Germantown
Land Use and Transportation Workgroup Town of Hartford
Multi-Jurisdictional Advisory Committee Town of Kewaskum
Public Comment Information Town of Polk
Public Participation Plan Town of Trenton
State Grant Awards Town of Wayne
State Law Requirements Village of Kewaskum
Work Program
Housing,Utilities,and Economic Development Workgroup

The Comprehensive Planning Process consists of the following four committees:
  • Washington County Multi-Jurisdictional Comprehensive Planning Advisory Committee
  • Land Use and Transportation Element Workgroup
  • Agricultural, Natural and Cultural Resources Element Workgroup
  • Housing, Utilities and Community Facilities and Economic Development Workgroup
The first meeting of the Washington County planning process was the Multi-Jurisdictional Comprehensive Planning Advisory Committee held on July 27, 2005.

Demographics and Statistics
Dispute Resolution Process

The Intergovernmental Cooperation Element, as described in the Comprehensive Planning Law, requires the identification of existing or potential conflicts between local governmental units and to describe a process to resolve such conflicts.

In 2004, the Washington County Board of Supervisors, in recognizing the importance of intergovernmental cooperation and to continue the cooperation between the county and local municipalities, established a dispute resolution process as a forum to address and resolve conflicts. Interested municipalities would enter into an appropriate intergovernmental agreement to voluntarily participate in this dispute resolution process in an effort to reduce or avoid expenditures of valuable taxpayer dollars.

In the 2004 Resolution 35, the County Board resolved to establish a fair and just quasi-judicial multi-jurisdictional dispute resolution forum to resolve multi-jurisdictional conflicts regarding amendments to adopted comprehensive plans and issues resulting from such adoption. The County Board resolution describes the dispute resolution body consisting of a total of six individuals that would be selected by the disputing parties and would be drawn from a pool of representatives depending on the conflict presented to the body.

The Multi-jurisdictional Advisory Committee was charged with the responsibility of developing the procedures and by-laws to guide the body in its consideration of the issues presented and the decision-making process in which it engages. A Dispute Resolution Forum Subcommittee was established to develop the procedures and by-laws.

The Washington County Board of Supervisors adopted 2007 Resolution 87 authorizing participation in the Washington County Multi-Jurisdictional Dispute Resolution Panel. "Rules and Bylaws Governing the Washington County Multi-Jurisdictional Dispute Resolution Panel" was adopted by the Washington County Board of Supervisors on April 15, 2008 as Appendix P of the comprehensive plan.

Appendix P - Dispute Resolution Rules and Bylaws

Dispute Resolution Forum Subcommittee Members (2008)
Matt Heiser, Village of Kewaskum
Jim Bennett, Town of Hartford
Chris Kuehn, Town of Wayne
Brian Bausch, County Board Supervisor
Ron Hefter, Town of Addison
Barb Renkas, City of West Bend
Dan Knodl, County Board Supervisor
Leander Herriges, Town of Wayne
David Nixon, University of Wisconsin - Washington County
Justin Drew, City of Hartford


Economic Development Survey
Economic Development Survey 2004

The purpose of the study is to provide a comprehensive picture of the visions of key stakeholders on the county's economic development landscape in 2003 and follow up on an earlier report completed by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Center for Urban Initiatives and Research (CUIR) in 2001. To do so, a series of surveys and focus groups have been conducted of Washington County residents, business representatives, government officials, educational leaders and college students. The study was led by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh's Center for Community partnership who collaborated with professionals from CUIR in administering the surveys.

Eisenbahn State Trail User Survey
Eisenbahn State Trail User Survey Report (Phases 1 & 2)  (pdf-9.11 MB)

On July 28, 2008, the Washington County Planning and Parks Department began an eight month two-phase survey of trail users on the Washington County segment of the Eisenbahn State Trail. Phase 1 of the survey was administered throughout August and September and concluded on October 15, 2008. Phase 2 of the survey was administered from October 16, 2008 to March 31, 2009. This final survey report details responses provided by trail users during various seasons throughout the year.

The survey was conducted to identify ways to improve the Eisenbahn State Trail and to assess public opinion regarding future public trails throughout the County. This information will be utilized by the Planning and Parks Department as part of the update to the Park and Open Space Plan for Washington County.

Farmland and Open Space Preservation Tools
Farmland and Open Space Preservation Study (FOSP)

On July 28, 2004, the Washington County Planning, Conservation and Parks Committee requested the Washington County Planning and Parks Department to study various means of preserving farmland and open space in Washington County. In response to the request, a study group, the Farmland and Open Space Study Group was formed. The group is composed of farmers, conservationists, developers, realtors, and local municipal representatives.
The goal is to research and analyze different tools, techniques and funding sources that can be used in Washington County for farmland and open space preservation. The Farmland and Open Space Preservation Study provides detailed information about the tools and techniques that can be used to preserve farmland and open space, their related costs, and potential funding sources. This report does not make recommendations about which tools and techniques should be applied to preserve farmland and open space in Washington County.

Farmland and Open Space Preservation Study Group Members

Daniel Stoffel, Chairperson - Washington County Board Supervisor
Ellen Goeller, Vice Chairperson - Agribusiness Cluster Council
Mike Becker - Farm Bureau
Jim Bennett - Town of Hartford
Ross Bishop - Agribusiness Cluster Council
Angie Curtes - Ozaukee/Washington Land Trust
Ann Enright - County Realtors Association
Therese Gripentrog - Department of Natural Resources
Matt Heiser - Village of Kewaskum
Leander Herriges - Town of Wayne
Mary Krumbiegel - Washington County Board Supervisor
Scott Mathie - Metropolitan Builders Association
Sue Millin - Land Conservation Partnership
Bill Ohm - MS Professional Services, Inc.
Joe Peters - Town of Barton
Bruce Sadowski - Pike Lake Sportsman Club

Support Staff

Debora Sielski - Washington County Planning & Parks Dept. Asst. Administrator for Planning
Blaine Delzer - Washington County Planning & Parks Dept. County Conservationist
Mark Baran - USDA, Natural Resource Conservation Service
Alan Linnebur - Washington County UW-Extension Farm Business Educator
Kevin Struck - Washington County UW-Extension Growth Management Educator

• Farmland & Open Space Preservation Tools Report (see link below)
• Farmland & Open Space Preservation Tools Summary Booklet

For more information about this report, please contact the
Washington County Planning & Parks Department:
Planning Division at 262-335-4445.


Farmland and Open Space Report Chapters

Cover Pages

Table of Contents

LIST OF CHAPTERS

Chapter I Introduction
Chapter II Urban Growth, Agriculture Analysis and Open Space Inventory
Chapter III Takings Law
Chapter IV Farmland and Open Space Preservation Tools
Chapter V Community Opinion Surveys
Chapter VI Funding Strategies and Sources
Chapter VII Implementing Preservation Tools
Chapter VIII Summary

LIST OF APPENDICES



LIST OF APPENDICES

A
(1.53MB)		 Town of Kewaskum - EA Agricultural Preservation District
B
(1.08MB)		 Town of Caledonia - Conservation Subdivision Ordinance
C City of Davis, California - Agricultural Land Mitigation Requirements
D City of Brentwood, California - Agricultural Enterprise Program
E Town of Kewaskum - Lowland Conservancy Overlay District
F Sliding-Scale Zoning Example, Montgomery County
G Agricultural / Rural Residential District
H Town of Dunn - Grant of Conservation Easement and Development Rights
I Town of Dunn - Rural Preservation Program
J PDR Program Examples
K Fulton County, Georgia - Transfer of Development Rights Program
L Town of Richfield - Community Opinion Survey
M Wisconsin State Statutes
N Portland, Oregon UGB - Example of Urban Growth Boundary
O Measure 37
P
(1.14MB)		 UW Extension - Public Participation Methods
Q Resources

Farmland Preservation Planning
PUBLIC HEARING AND INFORMATIONAL MEETING
Thank you to all of those who attended the public informational meeting and provided comment at the public hearing on the Final Draft of Appendix T - A Farmland Preservation Plan for Washington County as Amendment No. 2 of A Multi-jurisdictional Comprehensive Plan for Washington County: 2035. The Washington County Planning, Conservation, and Parks Committee (PCPC) discussed the public comments at their October 26, 2011 meeting.

FINAL DRAFT - Plan Chapters
The final draft of "A Farmland Preservation Plan for Washington County" (Appendix T of A Multi-jurisdictional Comprehensive Plan for Washington County: 2035) was approved by the FPPAC on August 29, 2011. Please see the following links to view the plan.


Click the links below to view final draft plan chapters.

Chapter Number Title
I. Introduction and Background
II. Population, Housing, and Employment Trends and Projections
III. Existing Recommendations for Farmland Preservation in Washington County
IV. Inventory of Agricultural Resources
V. Trends, Needs, or Plans that May Affect Farmland Preservation
VI. Preserving and Supporting Farmland Preservation
VII. Issue Identification, Farmland Preservation Areas and Recommendations
VIII. Implementation

Warning: Some of these links will open very large documents, and may take quite some time to download.

Copies of the Final Draft Farmland Preservation Plan or Executive Summary can also be obtained at the office of the Washington County Planning and Parks Department (333 E. Washington Street) West Bend, WI 53095) or by calling (262) 335-4445.

Farmland Preservation Planning Farmland Preservation Planning
Washington County is in the process of updating the County's Farmland Preservation Plan (FPP). The updated draft FPP incorporates new programs and policies as recommended through the Working Lands Initiative, Wisconsin's new Farmland Preservation Program. As required by law, the Washington County's updated FPP must be adopted by the Washington County Board of Supervisors and certified by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) by December 31, 2011 to make farmers eligible to claim tax credits on their farmland.

A Farmland Preservation Plan Advisory Committee (FPPAC) was formed to guide the plan's development. The Washington County Planning and Parks Department invited all local governments to appoint a representative to serve on the committee. The FPP delineates Farmland Preservation Areas (FPAs) throughout Washington County. An FPA is an area that is planned primarily for agriculture use or agriculture-related use. For a landowner to be eligible for tax credits (through farmland preservation zoning or Agricultural Enterprise Areas) or to enter the PACE program, lands must first be located in a Farmland Preservation Area in a certified county farmland preservation plan.

The Final Draft Farmland Preservation Plan:

  • Provides information on the Working Lands Initiative
  • Explains the statutory requirements of farmland preservation planning
  • Details an inventory of agricultural resources and infrastructure
  • Describes the trends that impact farmland preservation
  • Highlights ways to preserve farmland and support agriculture
  • Identifies farmland preservation areas (FPAs)
  • Recommends new and updated County goals, objectives, policies and programs for farmland preservation

Please visit the following links for more information regarding farmland preservation planning in Washington County and the Working Lands Initiative.

Farmland Preservation Focus Group Sessions
The Planning and Parks Department requested UW-Extension to conduct a series of agricultural related focus groups. On January 25, 2011, a focus group study was conducted which consisted of three focus group discussions. The groups consisted of 1) livestock and dairy producers, 2) grain farmers, and 3) niche/organic farmers. The general topic was "How do we make agriculture more sustainable in Washington County?" See the following link for a report of focus group findings:

Focus Group Final Report

Farmland Preservation Survey

Farmland Preservation Survey

As the Planning Division updates the County Farmland Preservation Plan, it requested UW-Extension to develop a survey to seek input from farmers and large landowners. This is critical, because a plan that includes feedback from stakeholders is stronger and more likely to be implemented. The survey was mailed to 1,954 land owners in the County's rural communities. Three hundred forty-four were returned, for a respectable 17% response rate. Key results are summarized below:

  • 32% were interested in tax credits for preserving their farmland; 28% were not. Thirty-five percent responded "not sure."
    (A follow-up focus group has looked at reasons for lack of interest or certainty.)
  • A substantial 78% responded that all or most of the Ag infrastructure they need is close enough to their operation.
  • When asked to identify issues hindering their farming activities, respondents chose "traffic" and "loss of prime farmlands" as their two biggest concerns.
Complete survey results can be found below. Each town and village was tabulated individually as well. Below are links to the summaries for each rural town or village. Each file is PDF.

Handouts

Displays

Presentations

Other Resources


Local Government Comprehensive Plans
Multi-Jurisdictional Comp Plan for Washington County: 2035

"A Multi-Jurisdictional Comprehensive Plan for Washington County: 2035" has been adopted and the published version of the plan is now available.

On April 15, 2008, the Washington County Board of Supervisors adopted the Multi-Jurisdictional Comprehensive Plan for Washington County: 2035.  Washington County's Multi-Jurisdictional Comprehensive Plan provides long-range goals and objectives for Washington County officials and citizens to effectively address future development and natural resource protection in the County through the year 2035.  The Plan outlines policies and programs for each of the nine elements as they pertain to County authority and provides suggestions for local governments.  The Comprehensive Plan is a living document that will be amended on a regular basis. 

The Planning Division of the Washington County Planning and Parks Department held an open house on March 13, 2008 attended by seventy participants. It was a chance for the public to learn about the final draft of the Multi-Jurisdictional Comprehensive Plan for Washington County: 2035.  A presentation was given by Deb Sielski and Nancy Anderson summarizing the plan and a question and answer session followed. There was a public hearing held by the Planning, Conservation and Parks Committee(PCPC) on March 31, 2008.  The hearing was a chance for members of the public to express their thoughts and concerns regarding the County's Comprehensive Plan. Seventy-nine people attended the public hearing. The PCPC met on April 2,2008 to consider staff recommendations based on the testimony given at the public hearing. By a vote of 4 to 3, the PCPC recommended the Multi-Jurisdictional Comprehensive Plan for Washington County: 2035 to the County Board of Supervisors for adoption by ordinance. On April 15, 2008, the County Board of Supervisors passed Resolution 86 approving the Multi-Jurisdictional Comprehensive Plan for Washington County: 2035 by a vote of 19 to 10. Ordinance 37, adopting the Comprehensive Plan was passed by a vote of
28 to 1.

Comprehensive Plan Chapters

Comprehensive Plan Summary


Multi-Jurisdictional Comprehensive Planning Process
Park and Open Space Planning