Farmland Preservation Planning in the Bay-Lake Region

Many counties in northeast Wisconsin are in the process of updating their Farmland Preservation Plans. The Farmland Preservation Plan is an opportunity for counties to take stock of the role that agriculture plays in their local economy and to ensure that farmland continues to have a place in each county's landscape. Land that is included in a Farmland Preservation Area may participate in other aspects of the farmland preservation program, such as Farmland Preservation Zoning and Agricultural Enterprise Areas. For more information about the farmland preservation program, contact DATCP or Rich Heath.

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Open Commissioner Positions

There are three commissioner vacancies on the Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission. We are seeking interested individuals who reside in Kewaunee, Marinette, and Florence counties to serve 6-year terms on the Commission. These positions are filled through Governor appointment with input from each of the individual counties. If you are interested in learning more about becoming a Commissioner, as well as the application process, please contact Richard Heath.

2015 Regional Transportation Work Program

The Commission is finalizing its transportation work program for 2015. The Commission has maintained this program for rural areas outside of the Sheboygan Metropolitan Planning Area through ongoing funding from the levy, Wisconsin Department of Transportation, and Federal Highway Administration. The program enables staff to work with local municipalities and counties to advance and improve their entire transportation network and infrastructure. Services through the program include planning, grant writing, technical assistance for specialized transportation, airports, rail systems, highways and roads, and non-motorized trails. If your community is seeking assistance for enhancing any of its modes of transportation in 2015, please contact Brandon Robinson for more information. 

EPA is offering free technical assistance through the Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities program to help communities achieve their desired development goals, improve quality of life, and become more economically and environmentally sustainable. The program provides quick, targeted technical assistance to communities using tools with demonstrated results and widespread application. The purpose of delivering these tools is to stimulate a discussion about growth and development and strengthen local capacity to implement sustainable approaches. Communities may apply for assistance on one or more of the following topics:

• Bikeshare planning
• Equitable development
• Infill development for distressed cities
• Sustainable strategies for small cities and rural areas
• Flood resilience for riverine and coastal communities

Applications will be accepted until November 20, 2014.  EPA will select up to 25 communities through a competitive process. If selected, a community will work with an EPA-supported team of experts during a one-to-two-day workshop, where participants will learn about relevant strategies, policies, and practices.

The Bay-Lake RPC is available to assist interested communities in the Region with the application process.  Please contact Angela Pierce if you would like to pursue this opportunity.

DATCP Local Food Seminars

Workshops for Planning and Zoning Officials

The Center for Land Use Education (CLUE) at UW - Stevens Point is providing a series of workshops for planning officials on a variety of topics, and are being held at a number of locations around the state. 

Planning and Zoning Workshops for Local Officials

Polk County Government Center, Balsam Lake, WI

November 13, 2014, 6:00-8:00 PM - Updating Your Comprehensive Plan

Current Issues Affecting Local Government Officials

Teleconference series held the first Monday of each month from 10:00-11:00AM:   
December 1, 2014 - Local Government's Demographics Challenge and Implications for Counties and Communities
January 5, 2014 - Changes in Tax Incremental Financing (TIF)
February 2, 2014 - Wisconsin Legislative Preview

Richard Heath 

Executive Director

Jeff Agee-Aguayo

Transportation

Planner

Richard Malone 

Office Accounts

Coordinator 

Angela Pierce 

Natural Resources

 Planner

Brandon Robinson 

Community Assistance

Planner

Joshua Schedler

GIS Coordinator