Current Local Positions

NATURAL RESOURCES

1. Land Use Planning and Development - Dane County [adopted 5/1993, incorporating Madison and Middleton positions of 1970, 1972, 1974, and 1992]
   
   Support of:
   1. Long-range comprehensive planning for land use in Dane County, with emphasis on:
      1. the concept of master planning
      2. the concept of regional planning, including an administrative agency and professional staff
      3. cooperation of planning commissions with each other and with other governmental units within the county
      4. coordination of planning efforts among departments, commissions, and committees of the county
      5. development of planning criteria against which to weigh conflicting land use demands
   2. The principles and objectives of the Plan for Parks and Open Spaces for Dane County:
      1. to shape urban form by providing a buffer between communities and between land use districts and by preventing urban sprawl
      2. to conserve natural resources, wetlands, forest, wildlife, farm land, water, and preserve water quality and abate flooding
      3. to provide for the outdoor recreation needs of the community
      4. to recognize that some of these needs are for scenic beauty, space, and fresh air
      5. to acquire land for preserving natural assets and provide for outdoor recreation
      6. to provide funds for park maintenance

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   3. The Land Use Objectives and Policies for Dane County
      
      Objectives and policies of The Land Use Plan for Dane County (1973) and The Regional Development Guide for Dane County (1985)
      1. "To strengthen the role of the downtown area of Madison as a regional center of a wide variety of activities, including government, office activity, retailing, and as a special entertainment complex serving the region as well as the needs of downtown residents, workers and students" (from Regional Development Guide)
      2. enhancement of Dane County's essential character by preservation of the unique assets of the smaller communities such as:
         1. small town atmosphere
         2. autonomy and close relationship of government and citizen
      3. variety of people and range of occupations and ages of people
      4. natural areas such as parks, marshes, ponds, creeks
      5. historic sites
      6. to encourage rehabilitation of physically deteriorating portions of existing urban areas with emphasis on "in filling" of vacant or under-used parcels that are served by public services

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   4. The use of a variety of tools and methods to help guide development, protect environmental quality, preserve open space, and provide adequately for housing needs in Dane County. These include:
      1. realistic and effective zoning regulations, including meaningful agricultural zoning districts
      2. extra-territorial planning and zoning powers, as authorized by Wisconsin Statutes
      3. cluster and planned unit development
      4. in-depth studies of areas or neighborhoods that have special planning requirements
      5. a vigorous and ongoing program of land acquisition through:
         1. purchase of land, including tax delinquent land, either from donations from private groups, federal and state grants, or from current revenues, leasing, or capital budgeting
         2. active encouragement of land donation
         3. active pursuit of grants from public and private sources
      6. acquisition of open space easements
      7. control of the extension of municipal services to affect timing and direction of development
      8. encouragement of the use of legal devices by property owners to keep land undeveloped, if preservation of such land is in the public interest
      9. tax concessions
   5. Some form of compensation for land in a conservancy, floodplain, or shoreland zone, if the owner is unreasonably restricted from use of the land
   6. Ongoing citizen involvement in the development and implementation of land use planning in Dane County
      1. Citizen members of planning boards and commissions should be persons actively interested in the community and representative of a range of interests and experience.
      2. They should be able to consider the needs of the entire area.
      3. They should be chosen for overall competence rather than solely for any professional expertise.
      4. In case of any conflict of interest, a member must abstain from discussion and voting.
      5. New members should be offered an orientation program.
      6. provision for consistent dissemination to the community of pertinent information on planning matters
   7. LWVDC supports voluntary agreements among Dane and other counties, Dane County and other units of government, and units of government in Dane County among themselves, such as:
      1. making joint purchasing agreements
      2. encouraging joint county-city (village, town) park systems
      3. encouraging coordinated and compatible communications systems
      4. broadening the City Council Liaison Committee to include a wider representation of towns, villages, and cities
   8. LWVDC encourages planning and related decision-making that anticipates growth and considers the following three points concurrently:
      1. identification of existing and future population corridors and centers
      2. protection of environmental corridors and wetlands
      3. coordination of schools, population centers and transit systems so that they interact positively together
2. Land Use Planning and Development – Stoughton [adopted 1980]
   
   Support of proposed Master Plan for the City of Stoughton to include:
   1. Land Use
      1. urban service area as defined
         1. development restricted to areas which can be served by public sewer
         2. neighborhood concept of planning
         3. cluster concept of development to include smaller lot sizes with more shared open space, cul-de-sacs, curvilinear streets, primary open space systems provided by the developer and development of an illustrative cluster plan
      2. extra-territorial area outside of urban service area but within one and one-half miles of city
         1. non-farm development restricted to areas not suitable for agricultural uses but not including wetlands, floodplains, or soils unsuitable for residential development
         2. residential development to have maximum density restrictions to preserve rural character of area
   2. Zoning
      1. general geographical location of zoning districts as presented in zoning plan
      2. proposed zoning as defined for residential, commercial and industrial classifications with the following exceptions:
         1. Conservancy should designate land specifically set aside for green space
         2. A separate zoning classification should be used for land presently unsuitable for development but which could be rezoned upon demonstration of developer that problems can be corrected
         3. group homes included in definition for R-1 through R-5 zoning classifications in that plan
   3. Parks
      1. proposed 182 acres of parkland by year 2000
         1. development of eight two-acre playgrounds in new residential areas
         2. development of playgrounds in existing residential areas
         3. development of mini-park areas in downtown
      2. facilities and equipment additions for existing parks
   4. Streets
      1. the general downtown street development plan as presented
      2. concept of outer circumferential loops to eliminate through traffic in downtown.
   5. Commercial
      1. downtown as principal shopping center
      2. concept of neighborhood convenience stores
      3. opposition to large and dispersed shopping centers
   6. Planning
      1. periodic meetings with adjacent municipalities to share planning information
3. Recreation — Middleton [revised 1984]
   
   Support of:
   1. Land acquisition for outdoor recreation and preservation of natural assets as deserving of highest priority
   2. Continued programming to include:
      1. attention to the needs of both sexes and all ages
      2. more consultation between planning bodies and those served
      3. activities and facilities which complement or supplement rather than duplicate other public and private service
4. Transportation — Dane County [adopted prior to 1972]
   1. Support of the following principles in transportation planning:
      1. coordination
         1. with land use
         2. with other governmental units
         3. among all modes of transportation
         4. between immediate and long-range solutions, maintaining flexibility for the future
      2. preservation of high environmental quality with attention to aesthetics, prevention of pollution and preservation of neighborhoods, the downtown area, and open spaces
      3. consideration of people's needs as well as safety, convenience and cost
   2. Recognizing that the local public transportation system is a responsibility of local government, the League supports its inclusion in comprehensive transportation planning and its adherence to the above principles
   3. The League also supports expansion of public transit in area covered, upgrading its service and initiating efforts to encourage the public's use and participation.
   4. Support of [adopted 1984]:
      1. railroads as an integral part of the public transportation system (freight and potentially passenger)
      2. subsidies for railroads of economic importance
      3. government purchase and maintenance of abandoned railroad, track, or track for which abandonment has been approved, if the track is considered important to local economies
      4. county financial contributions for railroad preservation within the county, recognizing that railroads may be a part of a multi-community network
      5. preservation of Dane County's railroad corridors
      6. development of excess right-of-way in accordance with local land-use plans
   5. Support of [adopted 5/13/92]:
      1. continued efforts to include additional Madison area communities in contracts with Madison Metro and Metro + Plus.
      2. county participation in funding and coordination of federally mandated services with significant state and federal aid. Consideration should be given to participation of the private sector and help for smaller communities that might be forced to close down transit systems under the costs of federal mandates.
      3. enabling state and county legislation for a regional transit district (without specifying metropolitan or county)
      4. High priority be given to certain criteria:
         1. fiscal and regulatory control by a general purpose government
         2. long-term commitment by communities who join a regional system
         3. a central dispatch system for Dane County specialized transportation services with careful study of its implementation
      5. High or medium priority be given to:
         1. tax or assessment (fiscal) equity through periodic review of differing service levels in a regional system
         2. keeping Madison Metro service high, while permitting flexibility in routes
      6. Funding of transportation needs must be considered as a major budget item together with other needs of "transit-disabled" citizens

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