Types of Plans

Communities prepare many different types of plans, each with a different purpose. Three general types are described below.

Comprehensive Plan

A comprehensive plan is a guide to the physical, social and economic development of a community. It contains background information on the local community and a statement of overall goals, objectives, policies and programs to guide the future development and redevelopment of the community over a 20-year period. The comprehensive plan should be thought of as a central organizing umbrella under which other plans, regulations and initiatives exist.

In Wisconsin, if a community enacts or amends a zoning, subdivision or official mapping ordinance after January 1, 2010, the ordinance must be consistent with an adopted comprehensive plan. The comprehensive plan must also address nine different topics or “elements” including:

  • Issues and opportunities
  • Housing
  • Transportation
  • Utilities and community facilities
  • Agricultural, natural and cultural resources
  • Economic development
  • Intergovernmental cooperation
  • Land use
  • Implementation

While the comprehensive planning law provides a framework for the content and adoption of local plans, communities have quite a bit of flexibility in tailoring the plan to meet their needs. Individual elements can be combined or split so long as all legally required issues are addressed. Optional topics or elements can also be incorporated. For example, the comprehensive plan might address topics such as community design, air quality, energy efficiency, climate change, public health or sustainability.

Functional Plans

Some communities prepare functional plans that are physically separate from, but linked by policy to the comprehensive plan. Functional plans are plans that address a specific topic, such as transportation or farmland preservation, and can be analogous to the elements of a comprehensive plan. Examples of functional plans include:

  • Housing plans
  • Redevelopment plans
  • Disaster-mitigation plans
  • Historic preservation plans
  • Public health plans
  • Economic development plans
  • Tourism and resort plans
  • Public facility plans
  • Capital improvement plans
  • Transit plans (bus, rail, subway, etc.)
  • Transportation plans (highways, roads, bikeways, trails, etc.)
  • Park and recreation plans
  • Open space and natural resource plans
  • Farmland preservation plans

Spatial Plans

Lastly, many communities prepare plans that focus on a particular geographic area. These plans typically address areas that have special needs or conditions that require more detailed analysis than what is provided in the comprehensive plan. Spatial plans can be incorporated into a comprehensive plan, either physically or by reference. Examples include:

  • Site plans
  • Neighborhood plans
  • Corridor plans (travel, scenic, environmental, etc.)
  • District plans (downtown, riverfront, etc.)Regional or intergovernmental plans

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