One Lobbyist Pushing for the Future of Urban Planning in Wisconsin

By Bill Sitter, Staff Contributor for Wisconsin Election Watch,

MADISON - Urban planning is an effort by government, non-profit, and or businesses to chart a course for the future growth and to deal with future challenges. There is some controversy surrounding what underlies the term urban planning. Associations like the American Planning Association are formed to inform the public on the issues relating to urban planning.

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The Wisconsin Chapter of the American Planning Association had only spent $1,396 during the 2013-2014 legislative session. They spent over 17 hours related to lobbying, but not directly communicating lawmakers. The organization’s lead lobbyist is Gary Lynn Peterson. The chapter takes strong positions on a fair amount of state legislation that is considered every session.

The American Planning Association supports Assembly Bill 416, relating the sharing of tax increments. The bill description says, “Under this bill, upon approval by the joint review board, a TID may become a donor TID and provide increments to a recipient ERTID created by the same city or village. …Increments from the donor ERTID may be generated until the earlier of 1) 23 years after the creation of the donor ERTID; or (2) the recovery of all project costs for the recipient TID. Thus this bill encourages cites and town to share development resources.

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However, they are opposed to Senate Bill 112, which changes the rules for a county redevelopment plan. The bill description says, “This bill repeals the requirement that a city’s or village’s master plan must be included in a county development plan and also repeals the requirement that any official map be included without changes.” The legislation limits the need of for a development plan to reflect the long term of future of a village, town or city.

Beyond lobbying, the Wisconsin Chapter of APA tries to influence policy through educating the public about planning issues. Recently, they acknowledged a Madison East Side neighborhood that received an award from a national organization for its design and successful redevelopment. Also, they have a section of their webpage dedicated to providing planning resources and links to other relevant material including legislative updates.

Editor's Note-Our article can be found at-http://wisconsinelectionwatch.com/11825/one-lobbyist-pushing-future-urban-planning-wisconsin/