Wisconsin May Repeal Smart Growth Law

[Repo Man]

There is a movement afloat to repeal Wisconsin's Smart Growth law. .

While the law has definite flaws, as does the formula for awarding grants, I think that some of these legislators don't quite grasp what comprehensive planning is all about.

The article even has the obligatory "socialism" comment.

 

[green lizard]

I hear this occuring a lot in the last year. I remember
Austin, TX (i think it was Austin) had a great points
system based on Smart Growth. It was held up as a
sucsess and the right way to structure a smarth growth
points system. I read the other day that they are
abandoning the whole system. (Texans correct me
if I am wrong). Florida is on the verge of killing the
DCA (Department of Community Affairs) which will leave
any type of Smarth Growth up to indivduale citys/counties.
Is it the end of legislated Smart Growth?

 

[Chet]

Repo - I was at a seminar Friday and heard Dick Lehman (former WAPA legal sage for you out of staters) speak.

He addressed the issue as a "north" or "upstate" rebellion. How many planners are employed north of Green Bay and Stevens Point? Maybe 5 in Wausau and Hudson, but I garner not many more!

He had some good insight into the consistency problem, which I'll save for another day...

 

[Lost_in_MSP]

planners in Wisconsin

Not living there, I cannot speak with true authority, but I would venture to guess that Eau Claire has a 'few' planners, maybe Chippewa Falls, and then of course there are the regional planning agencies that cover all of the state, which would also have planners. Oh and not to mention the County planners - I know Eau Claire County has some, I did an intership there. Madison is not the entire state - which is what people are probably mad about. I know it was like this in Illinois while I lived/worked there for 15 years - downstate is not Chicago!


(grew up in Eau Claire so I'm probably too defensive)

 

[simulcra]

@Green Lizard

I read that while the whole points system (Smart Growth Matrix?) was abandoned for Austin, it just meant that instead of needing a distinct set of smart growth principles, it would be integrated into their policy and decision-making.

but my cynical side says that that's just diplomatic maneuvering saying, "yeah, we ditched it... but we still care about our growth!"