Local Policy & Planning Projects in WI's Coastal Communities
Inventory of projects that have led to the development or revision of local ordinances, plans, and policies in Wisconsin coastal communities
Village of Mount Pleasant Zoning Ordinance Update
Coastal Resilience Issue: Rising water levels between 2013 and 2020 contributed to severe erosion of coastal bluffs and threatened homes and other coastal infrastructure in the Village.
Racine County Multi-Jurisdictional Comprehensive Plan
Coastal Resilience Issue: Racine County has four coastal municipalities with approximately 14.8 miles of Lake Michigan coastline. These communities face coastal hazards including erosion, changing water levels, coastal storms, and flooding.
Green Bay Green Stormwater Infrastructure Code Audit
Coastal Resilience Issue: In addition to riverine flooding, the City has experienced coastal flooding due to storm surges and high lake levels. The City’s urban environment limits infiltration and increases stormwater runoff exacerbating flooding events and contributing to water quality issues.
Village of Mount Pleasant Zoning Ordinance Update
Coastal Resilience Issue: Rising water levels between 2013 and 2020 contributed to severe erosion of coastal bluffs and threatened homes and other coastal infrastructure in the Village.
The Project: The Village needed to revisit its zoning code to make it more accessible, ensure that it met the development and redevelopment needs of the Village, and included protections for coastal bluff and shoreland areas.
Racine County Multi-Jurisdictional Comprehensive Plan
Coastal Resilience Issue: Racine County has four coastal municipalities with approximately 14.8 miles of Lake Michigan coastline. These communities face coastal hazards including erosion, changing water levels, coastal storms, and flooding.
The Project: A cooperative, comprehensive planning process was undertaken by Racine County, SEWRPC, and Racine County’s 17 municipalities to address the comprehensive planning requirements and to reduce planning costs across the County. A multi-jurisdictional comprehensive plan would create a single-source reference document for each of the municipalities’ asset inventories and land-use plans.
Green Bay Green Stormwater Infrastructure Code Audit
Coastal Resilience Issue: In addition to riverine flooding, the City has experienced coastal flooding due to storm surges and high lake levels. The City’s urban environment limits infiltration and increases stormwater runoff exacerbating flooding events and contributing to water quality issues.
The Project: There was a need to audit the City of Green Bay’s municipal code to identify any barriers to green stormwater infrastructure. The City examined and updated six municipal codes to set the stage for greater use of green stormwater infrastructure and increasing resilience.