Making Your Plan Happen:
Implementing Your Housing Element
The Wisconsin statutes describe the “Housing” element as a compilation of objectives, policies, goals, maps, and programs to provide an adequate housing supply that meets existing and forecasted housing demand. Among other things, this element must include policies and programs that promote the availability of land for the development or redevelopment of low-income and moderate-income housing, and policies and programs to maintain or rehabilitate existing housing stock.
This page provides access to programs related to the “Housing” element. You will find links to information about DNR programs, sample plans and model ordinances, and related resources.
Please choose a topic from the drop-down list below for resources related to the "Housing" element of your comprehensive plan
Model Ordinances
Comprehensive Planning Law Model Ordinances
The 1999 Comprehensive Planning Law required the University of Wisconsin-Extension to develop two model ordinances. The conservation subdivision design ordinance is intended as a model for those communities interested in allowing alternative development practices. Cities and villages with a population of 12,500 or greater are required to adopt a traditional neighborhood ordinance similar to the model provided by UW-Extension.
- A Model Ordinance for a Conservation Subdivision [691K, .pdf file] [Exit DNR] Please be aware that conservation subdivisions are sometimes referred to as "cluster developments." The DNR has developed a position paper on cluster development [168K, .pdf file] to outline ways in which such developments can effectively address natural resources concerns.
- A Model Ordinance for a Traditional Neighborhood Development [555K, .pdf file] [Exit DNR]
Fifty-seven communities were required, as part of Wisconsin’s Comprehensive Planning Law, to have a Traditional Neighborhood Development ordinance adopted by January 1, 2002. The 1,000 Friends of Wisconsin issued “A Report on Statewide Compliance with the Traditional Neighborhood Development Ordinance Requirement in the Wisconsin Comprehensive Planning Law.” [Exit DNR] This report includes a table indicating which communities have adopted ordinances.
DNR Programs
Sewer service area planning is a process designed to anticipate a community's future needs for wastewater treatment. This planning helps protect communities from adverse water quality impacts through development of cost-effective and environmentally sound 20-year sewerage system growth plans. If your community has undertaken sewer service area planning, you will want to make sure your “Housing” element is consistent with your adopted sewer service area plan.
The goal of Wisconsin's Floodplain Management Program is to protect people and their property from unwise floodplain development and to protect society from the costs associated with developed floodplains. Through floodplain zoning, state and local governments regulate how development can actually occur within floodplains. You will want to be sure your “Housing” element is consistent with your community’s floodplain management program.
Shoreland zoning protects water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, recreation, and natural beauty. To accomplish these goals, the statewide minimum standards for shoreland zoning control the intensity of development around water and create a buffer around water. You will want to be sure your “Housing” element is consistent with your community’s shoreland management program.
Other Implementation Resources
Publications
The following publications can aid citizens and communities in implementing the “Housing” element of their comprehensive plan:- Affordable Housing and Smart Growth: Making the Connection [.PDF File; Exit DNR]
Published by the National Neighborhood Coalition and the Smart Growth Network. - Strategies for Successful Infill Development [Exit DNR]
Produced by the Congress for the New Urbanism and Northeast Midwest Institute. - Creating Great Neighborhoods: Density in Your Community [Exit DNR]
A grant product of the Local Government Commission, in cooperation with the US EPA, and sponsored by the National Association of Realtors. This publication highlights the success of nine community led efforts to create vibrant neighborhoods through density; provides readers with an understanding of the connections between smart growth and density; and introduces five time tested design principles to ensure that density becomes a community asset and not a liability. - Low Impact Development Urban Design Tools [Exit DNR]
This site provides guidance to local governments, planners, and engineers for developing, administering, and incorporating Low Impact Development (LID) into their plans. LID technology is an alternative comprehensive approach to stormwater management.
Links
- Wisconsin Builders’ Association [Exit DNR] is a statewide trade organization that represents more than 6,400 member firms involved in residential and light commercial construction.
- Wisconsin Realtors Association [Exit DNR] is a statewide trade organization that represents more than 17,500 Realtors, appraisers, inspectors, and affiliate members involved in real estate.
- The Wisconsin Green Building Alliance [Exit DNR] facilitates and promotes the development and use of ecologically sustainable materials and practices within Wisconsin's built environment.
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