Planning Connections

Best wishes for a tasty Thanksgiving! November 2023

APA-WI Videography Series

APA-WI is excited to share the fourth in a series of statewide video interviews highlighting the great work of planners across the state to elevate our profession and provide you with useful information about the impact planners make in Wisconsin. New videos will likely be released once per month. We believe this content will offer you an efficient way to learn from and connect with APA’s great people.

If you are interested in participating in this program, please contact Jason Gilman, APA-WI President at jbgplanning@outlook.com

Tanya Fonesca

Tanya Fonseca, AICP, is the Long Range Planning Manager for the City of Milwaukee’s Department of City Development. The Long Range Planning team manages the Comprehensive Plan for the City of Milwaukee, including ongoing updates and engagement, as well as day-to-day planning and implementation. Tanya’s experience in planning, engagement, and design spans the private, non-profit, and public sectors. Prior to joining the City of Milwaukee in 2020, She worked as a planning and urban design consultant at GRAEF in Milwaukee where she served municipalities across the state with comprehensive planning, code updates, urban design, and planning administration. Tanya holds an M.S. in Urban Planning from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation and a B.A. in Architectural Studies from Mount Holyoke College.

Watch the video!

Legislative Updates

Workforce Housing Acts Update

WI-APA is continuing conversations about the recent Workforce Housing Bill. Go to WHEDA's website (link) for updates, FAQs, and add yourself to the update list by "subscribing."

Proposed Urban Towns Bill

APA-WI is continuing to monitor the status of the proposed "Urban Towns" Bill.

LRB-4336/1 Related to requiring water and sewerage system connections and annexation of territory and extraterritorial zoning in certain urban towns.. APA-WI and League of Wisconsin Municipalities are both opposed to this bill and are prepared to testify should it move forward. Use this link to read more about the LWM's position on the "Urban Towns" Bill.

Case Law Updates

June - October 2023 Case Law Updates will be shared in soon.

APA-Wisconsin welcomes members to the following volunteer board positions!

President-Elect - Matt Frater
Secretary - Carrie Edmondson
VP of Professional Development - Josh Clements
NW District Rep - Susan Badtke
Kara Homan transitions from President-Elect to President
Jason Gilman from President to Past President

Please join us in thanking our

star volunteers!

Thank you also to these outgoing board members, who have dedicated their time, energy, and expertise in advancing the mission of APA-WI!

Secretary - Kari Papelbon
VP of Professional Development - Liz Callin
NW District Rep - Jeff Schuler

Thank you to our generous sponsors, MKE Downtown BID #21 and GRAEF, as well as our partners: UW-Madison Master of Science in Design + Innovation, Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC), Visit MKE, and Milwaukee 7.

Breaking the Urban Doom Loop: The Future of Downtowns is Shared Prosperity

The UWM School of Architecture of Urban Planning and Lubar College of Business are excited to announce an upcoming lecture presented by Brookings Institute Fellows Tracy Hadden Loh and Hanna Love.

Thursday, November 30

4:00 – 5:15 CDT

UWM’s Englemann Hall 105

2033 E. Hartford Ave.

The event is free; registration is required. More details and registration can be found at UWM | Breaking the Urban Doom Loop.

Please share within your networks and platforms.

APA National Planning Conference

MINNEAPOLIS | APRIL 13–16, 2024

MINNEAPOLIS CONVENTION CENTER

ONLINE | MAY 8–10, 2024

Let's Meet in Minneapolis!

NPC24 is your ultimate ticket to connect with your professional community. Join us in the vibrant city of Minneapolis and immerse yourself in an inspiring network of peers that will empower you to analyze, imagine, and plan for the future of the planning profession.

Stay updated with the latest conference news, speaker announcements, and program highlights. Be the first to learn about exciting program details and access early-bird discounts.

NPC24 will afford you the opportunity to gain access to industry experts, thought leaders, and planning professionals who present during NPC24. Learn from their expertise, unique perspectives, and the innovative ideas they shared that will help shape the future of planning.

NPC24 core content areas will include sessions on these topics:

• Climate Action

• Digitalization

• Diversity and Inclusive Design

• Future of Work and Upskilling

• Health Equity

• Housing Affordability, Availability, and Accessibility

• Navigating Politics to Advance Planning

• Transportation

For More Information

Comp Planning Grant Funding Notice!

Some grant funding has been allocated for comprehensive planning ($250,000 per year) through the Community Development Block Grant – Planning Program.

Some restrictions apply, including:

Maximum grants are $50,000 and require a $1 match for every $2 CDBG.
Communities wishing to utilize the CDBG Planning program must be at 51% low to moderate income to be eligible.

There has not been a lot of interest in these planning grants lately. So, while the pool of money is small, there may not be a lot of competition. Also, if demand increases, more money may be allocated to this activity.

Mark Staff (Mark.Staff@wisconsin.gov) is the planning grant program contact. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Share your stories, events, webinars, resources....!

We want to hear what you're up to and will share with planners across the state.

nemethplanning@gmail.com

erinduffer@gmail.com

Connect with us!

https://wisconsin.planning.org/