Town of Sevastopol 20-Year Comprehensive Plan Update

The Town of Sevastopol 20-Year Comprehensive Plan update was initiated in an effort to guide town officials and decision makers with a revised guide to the 2008 plan for managing the growth and conservation of the town and to meet the requirements within s.66.1001, Wis. Stats. The comprehensive plan is a long-range policy document containing demographic data, current and potential development/preservation issues, along with strategies which will assist in achieving the town's 20-year vision.

In order to allow the public instant access to this comprehensive plan, the BLRPC has established this ArcGIS Online Story Map. This story map is an interactive version of the plan that may be updated on an as needed basis. To view the complete original Town of Sevastopol 20-Year Comprehensive Plan Update 2019,  click here .

The strategies of this town plan update were generated by utilizing prior planning efforts of the town, along with the combined knowledge of town citizens and local officials. Additionally, responses were utilized from an online interactive survey. The survey was also available at the Sevastopol Town Hall in paper form.

Located in central Door County, the  Town of Sevastopol  covers 91 square miles containing a combination of agricultural lands, undeveloped natural areas, state and county parks, and rural residential development. The unincorporated communities of Institute, Little Harbor, Valmy, and Whitefish Bay are found within the Town. The Town of Sevastopol is under the jurisdiction of the  Door County Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance .

"Natural areas and open spaces provide recreational opportunities for residents and visitors and habitat for wildlife. Farming and orchards continue to be productive and economically viable sources of income for families and the community. Residential and commercial areas have been developed while protecting open spaces, preserving the scenery and panoramic views that define the community. Sevastopol has maintained its cultural traditions and continues to embrace its history through numerous area-wide events."

The Town of Sevastopol accounts for nearly 33,750 acres of land. Approximately 90% of the town is undeveloped (primarily agriculture and woodlands). Residential land accounts for the largest portion of the developed land in the town, covering nearly six percent, or 1,910 acres, of the town's landscape.

The town should utilize the Door County Comprehensive and Farmland Preservation Plan 2035 (2015)  (found here) , which contains data and maps reflecting the town’s natural resources. Resources include geology, topography, general soils and soil imitations, mineral resources, water resources (including watersheds, groundwater, and surface water), floodplains, significant natural areas, and threatened and endangered species.

The Town of Sevastopol contains approximately 16,000 acres of natural features when taking into account wetland areas, woodlands, open space/fallow fields, and water features.

•  Woodlands  account for 11,380 acres.
• Natural areas (e.g.,  wetlands ) cover nearly 4,000 acres of the town.
•  Water features  ( lakes ,  rivers, streams ) make up about 645 acres of the town's land.
• The Town of Sevastopol spans the width of Door County, sandwiched between the waters of Green Bay and  Lake Michigan . The town contains approximately nine miles of Lake Michigan shoreline on the town's east border and nearly seven miles of Green Bay on the town's western boundary. Adding to the maritime properties of the town, the southwestern boundary includes the waters of Sturgeon Bay (an arm of Green Bay).

• According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture for Wisconsin, there were 626 farming operations managing approximately 114,500 acres of land in Door County.
• Over 14,720 acres of land in Sevastopol are crops/pasture.
• More detailed information on agriculture, farm demographics, crops, prime agricultural soils, etc. for Door County and the town can be found in the Door County Comprehensive and Farmland Preservation Plan 2035, Volume II: Resource Report  (found here) .

The town's existing land use is illustrated on the interactive map below. Zoom in to see more, and click on something on the map to learn more about it!

Goal:  To preserve the rural character, protect natural and cultural resources, promote sustainable growth, maintain agricultural heritage, and leave a legacy that will enrich the lives of future generations.

• Protect and preserve rural character of Sevastopol
• Ensure that development and redevelopment is done in accordance with the goals and objectives of the Comprehensive Plan.
• Protect prime agricultural lands and environmentally sensitive areas.
• Areas zoned Prime Agricultural currently have a 20-acre minimum lot size. Consideration could include the effectiveness in preserving farmland and land divisions that are affordable.
• Restore and preserve environmental corridors in order to protect water quality, provide wildlife habitat, and maintain rural character.
• Encourage conservation based development in the community.
• Promote energy efficient, sustainable development.

Being a rural community, there is a significant amount of land available for future development within the Town of Sevastopol. Development pressures continue to be much higher in the western portion of the town because of the woodlands and overall quiet rural setting. The rural nature of the town offers itself to development as the demand for larger lot sizes and open space properties continues. This could impact the town’s ongoing efforts to preserve productive farmlands and areas that are sensitive to development into the future. Incompatibilities with farm and non-farm developments are also likely to occur as development pressures increase.

Overall, the majority of residents are content with the rural residential nature of the town and would like to see country living continue as a primary land use. The high demand for second/vacation homes in the town, however, will increase the amount of services that will be needed to accommodate future growth.

The estimated acreage needed for potential future development within the Town of Sevastopol through the year 2040, in 5-year increments, is illustrated in the following chart.

• Future residential development was projected utilizing the town's 2013 WDOA Household Projections at an average of 1.5 acres per dwelling unit. Commercial and industrial projections were calculated by comparing the ratio of current residential acreage to existing commercial and industrial land use acreage in the town.
• Analyzing the land use acreage changes that occurred in the town over the last 15 years, the conversion of agricultural lands to non-farm uses in the town have increased. It is unrealistic to predict specific acreage needs for each period due to the unsteadiness of growth. The town will continue to ensure that prime farmland is protected, while directing non-farm land uses to areas containing less productive soils.

Future development options within the crossroad communities encourage residential, commercial, and institutional (education and local government) development.

The following design standards are suggested for future development within Institute and Valmy:

• Improve connectivity by incorporating pedestrian and bicycle amenities, including sidewalks, trails, benches, bike racks, etc.
• Encourage businesses to provide attractive entrances and landscaped buffers between adjacent properties.

Current land use issues and conflicts, along with anticipated trends, were used to establish a 20-year development scenario for the Town of Sevastopol. The future land use plan identifies recommendations for type and location of future land uses in the town leading up to the year 2040.

The following land use classifications and corresponding strategies were established in the creation of the 20-Year Land Use Plan map located in the center of this document. The town provided recommendations for these land use classifications that best represent the community’s character and are in the best interests of the town and its citizens. These recommendations about future land use within the Town of Sevastopol should be carefully reviewed by the town when making decisions concerning future land use. The following categories of land use are associated with the Town of Sevastopol 20-Year Land Use Plan map.

1. Residential
2. Rural Residential
3. Mixed Use
4. Business
5. Agricultural
6. Parks and Recreation
7. Transportation
8. Woodlands/Natural Areas
9. Environmentally Sensitive Areas

It should be noted that the specified classification does not designate individual areas within the classification for development; rather, it designates the general area for that use to occur.

The Town of Sevastopol is under the jurisdiction of County Zoning, which is administered by the  Door County Land Use Services Department .

The following actions are intended to be used as a general guide by local elected officials, the Town Plan Commission, or other entities assigned by the Town Board, to implement the goals and objectives found within the  Town of Sevastopol 20-year Comprehensive Plan  Update.

• Administer the comprehensive plan’s strategies and recommendations and monitor the statistical projections within the comprehensive plan. Conduct a minor update of plan components every 3 to 5 years and a complete update of the plan every 10 years per Wis. Stats. § 66.1001. Also, consider an annual report on the implementation and effectiveness of the comprehensive plan. 
• Work to ensure that the town can implement plan goals and objectives. 
• Conduct an annual review of, and amend as necessary, existing town regulations to coincide with the comprehensive plan. Also, consider the development of other town ordinances that could assist with plan implementation.
• Consider cooperative efforts with Door County, the surrounding towns, and the City of Sturgeon Bay regarding topics such as land use planning, provision of coordinated public services and facilities, and plan implementation.  

Housing Vision:

"Sevastopol offers residential living choices in harmony with the town’s natural environment. Single-family homes are the primary housing choice with additional well designed and well constructed alternative housing styles meeting the needs of a diversity of residents."

Goal: To encourage rural residential living choices in harmony with the Town’s natural environment. Consider a variety of housing choices with well designed and well constructed alternative housing styles meeting the needs of the town’s population.

• Utilize the patterns presented on the Future Land Use map as a guide for development.
• Encourage new developments to provide abundant green space and access to planned trails.
• Encourage the integration of varied housing types within developments.
• Maintain housing values over time by promoting maintenance and rehabilitation of existing housing stock.
• The Town of Sevastopol enjoys a significant, yet manageable, rate of housing development.
• Promote the development of a range of housing choices to meet the needs of persons of all income levels, age groups, and needs.

This portion of the document details Sevastopol's population and housing trends and projections. These demographic characteristics are important in predicting future population and housing trends and their influence on the town's infrastructure and community facility capacities, along with future economic development opportunities.

"Sevastopol remains a rural, agricultural community that supports local businesses catering to residents and tourists. The town relies primarily on residential development to support its tax base. Commercial development occurs in harmony with the town’s natural environment. Tourism continues to thrive due to the town’s scenic character, recreational opportunities, and proximity to Lake Michigan and Green Bay."

Goal: The town will remain a rural, agricultural community that supports local businesses catering to residents and tourists. The town primarily relies on residential development to support it tax base, while commercial development occurs in harmony with the Town’s natural environment.

• Provide assistance to persons and organizations interested in developing new, or expanding existing, small businesses in the Town.
• Enhance the natural character of the community to ensure the attractiveness of the Town to tourists.
• Support Eco-Tourism in the Town. The Niagara Escarpment, rural/rustic bike routes, and state, county, and town parks provide opportunities to bring nature enthusiasts to the area that could spend money in the community at local restaurants, the farmers market, and other businesses.
• Support local agriculture as an integral part of the Town’s economy.
• Follow the pattern on the Future Land Use map when evaluating locations for new residential and business development and to preserve suitable land for agricultural uses (e.g., giving development priority to lands where there is no history of farming and land that is inaccessible or too small to farm).
• Support agriculture and tourism as preferred industries to provide local economic revenue at a minimal cost of service (i.e. infrastructure).
• Support Agri-Tourism activities in the Town. Agricultural uses dominate the landscape in much of Door County. Given the strength of the agricultural economy, opportunities exist to offer tourists activities related to our agriculture, including: farmer for a day experiences, rural bed and breakfasts, roadside stands, horse boarding and trail riding, pick-your-own produce operation, corn mazes, pumpkin patches, wineries, cheese factories, etc.
• Encourage local economic development opportunities that exist in harmony with Sevastopol’s rural atmosphere and support the local tax base.
• Facilitate the establishment of agri-business and home-based businesses with concise ordinances that address consistency and compatibility with the character of the surrounding area, maintain the rural appearance of the landscape and minimize potential negative impacts (traffic, noise, odor, glare, signage, parking, truck deliveries, etc.).
• Per the WDNR, there have been environmental incidences (spills or leaking underground storage tanks (LUST)) that have occurred in the town. Sixteen environmental repair program (ERP) sites remain open, while all other sites are closed or need no action. These sites may be evaluated and considered for continued or future business uses.

~ Door County "Basic employment areas" that are considered exporters:

• Manufacturing
• Retail Trade
• Arts, entertainment, and recreation

~ Industries that import goods or services:

• Professional and business services
• Financial activities
• Information industries

~ Agriculture in Door County generates $243 million, or 10 percent of the county's economic activity.

~ In 2018, travelers spent over $367 million in Door County, a 2.5% increase over 2017.

~ 91% of the town's working citizens work in Door County, while 7% work in other counties. Two percent of the town's population work outside of Wisconsin.

(Industry and employment projections cover years 2016 to 2026 for the 11 county Bay Area Workforce Development district.)

• Goods-Producing Industries (e.g., construction, manufacturing, natural resources) are projected to increase over 3.0% in the region from 2016-2026.
• Service-Providing (e.g., trade, transportation, financial, professional and business, education and health, etc.) is projected to increase over 8.6%.
• Self-Employed is forecast to increase nearly 7.7%.

"A well-maintained system of Town roads, County roads, and State highways provide for the safe and efficient movement of people and goods throughout the town. Although personal vehicles remain the primary choice for transportation, walkers, bicyclists, and other outdoors enthusiasts enjoy a network of trails linking destinations within the town and with surrounding areas."

Goal: Promote a multi-modal transportation system for efficient, safe, and convenient movement of people, goods, and services.

• Provide a greater range of transportation choices, including quality streets, roads, highways, bicycle routes, and trails to meet the needs of the Town’s population.
• Maintain and improve Town roads in a timely and well-planned manner. Schedule street improvements according to the analysis of existing physical street conditions and Town budget capacities using a Capital Improvement Plan and Budget.
• Provide inspiring and well-maintained public streets in proposed residential subdivisions.
• Promote opportunities for walking, hiking, and biking throughout the community to enjoy the natural character of the community.
• Expand transportation choices for the elderly, disabled, and children.
• Discourage the development of roadways in environmentally sensitive areas such as wetlands, floodplains, prime agricultural lands, and soils with severe engineering limitations.
• Schedule street improvements according to the analysis of existing physical street conditions and Town budget capacities using a Capital Improvement Plan and Budget.
• Encourage the extension of the Ahnapee State Trail to northern Door County.
• Support the long-term viability of area roads.
• Keep residents informed of transportation improvements.
• Coordinate with Door County, BLRPC, and WisDOT to plan and coordinate transportation improvements.

WisDOT classifies highways and roadways according to character of service.

An arterial road allows traffic to move over medium to long distances quickly and safely. Arterials often connect regions and economic centers. Arterials are divided into major and minor, with major arterials having higher traffic volume than minor arterials.

A collector road provides general "area to area" routes for local traffic and distributes traffic between arterials and local road and between destinations such as work, home, school, and places of business. Collectors are divided into major and minor, with major collectors having higher traffic volume than minor collectors.

All roads not color-coded on the map are classified as local roads. Local roads provide access to individual properties, such as a home or farm. For more information, please see the Wisconsin Department of Transportation's  Functional Classification Criteria .

• State Highways 42 and 57 also occupy just under 14 miles within Sevastopol.

•  Austin Straubel International Airport  is the regional airport located in the City of Green Bay, approximately 60 miles south of the town.
•  Door County Cherryland Airport  is located just south of the City of Sturgeon Bay on Park Drive and is used primarily for single engine aircraft and ultralight activity.

Taxi cabs and bus connector system offer public transportation to all of Door County.

Various businesses, industries, and farms within the town rely on trck routes to import and export goods. These truck trips typically occur on county or state highways, but trucks occasionally need to travel on town roads to reach their destinations.

According to  WisDOT , the Town's roads offer satisfactory conditions for bicyclists. Consider establishing designated bicycle facilities in the future in an effort to improve bicycle navigation within the town.

"Sevastopol coordinates with neighboring local governments and the County to ensure that town residents have easy access to efficient services and quality facilities. The town’s property taxes have been maintained at a stable level by controlling debt, maintaining town equipment, and carefully planning expenditures."

Goal: Ensure that all Town development is served by efficient, cost-effective utilities and community facilities within the town’s capacity to provide such services.

• Locate park and open space throughout the community to ensure all neighborhoods have access to open space.
• Encourage the involvement of citizens in the planning and improvement of Town parks.
• Consider the year-round use of park and trail facilities to provide additional winter recreation choices in the Town.
• Construct all new park facilities for handicapped accessibility. (This is required to maintain eligibility for matching park funds from the Department of Natural Resources.)
• Use the Town’s Official Map to reserve areas particularly suitable for future parks, trails, and utilities.
• Require developers to pay their “fair share” for improvements needed to support new development requests.
• Consider partnering with neighboring municipalities to provide mutual recreational opportunities. Provide a greater range of transportation choices, including quality streets, roads, highways, bicycle routes, and trails to meet the needs of a growing population.
• Establish a “nature-based” Park System to increase educational and recreational opportunities for Town residents and visitors.
• Continue to ensure that Sevastopol remains a safe community by meeting or exceeding recognized standards for public safety.
• Work to improve high-speed internet and cellular telephone service availability in the town.

• Wisconsin Public Service (a subsidiary of WEC Energy Group Inc.) and Sturgeon Bay Utilities deliver electricity to the town. Natural gas service is limited to the southwest corner of the town.
• The Sevastopol Sanitary District 1 (SSD 1) provides sanitary sewer service to Institute and Valmy.
• All residents and businesses within the town get their potable water from their own private wells.

• The Sevastopol Town Hall, located on STH 57, houses the town's government functions and contains a community room and other facilities that are available for rental.
• Garbage and recycling disposal for residents is available at the transfer station facility in Sturgeon Bay and by private providers.

EMERGENCY SERVICES:

• Sevastopol receives police protection from the  Door County Sheriff's Department .
• The town contracts with the  City of Sturgeon Bay Fire Department  for fire protection.
• Sevastopol supports and funds a team of individuals as First Responders.
• The town receives ambulance-dispatching service from the Door County Sheriff's Department. These ambulances are operated by  Door County Emergency Medical Service  and operate out of the City of Sturgeon Bay.

MEDICAL FACILITIES:

The closest medical facilities are in Sturgeon Bay:

•  Door County Medical Center 
•  Aurora Medical Center 
•  Prevea Door County Health Center 
•  Bellin Medical Clinic 

TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INTERNET:

• Broadband and cellular service is available from several providers. The town conducted an internet service survey in 2019 to determine additional service needs.

• Sevastopol's Public, Educational, and Government access  (PEG) Channel (986)  and YouTube allows residents to watch town and county board meetings, in addition to other varied programming.

EDUCATION FACILITIES:

•  Sevastopol School District  and  Sturgeon Bay School District  serve the town. Significant facility updates are planned for the near future.
• UW-Madison College of Agriculture and Life Sciences operates the  Peninsular Agricultural Research Station  (PARS), located on STH 42 in the town.

CEMETERIES:

There are five cemeteries located within the town:

•  Bayside Cemetery 
•  Whitefish Bay Cemetery 
•  St. John's Lutheran Church Cemetery 
•  St. Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery 
•  St. Joseph's Cemetery 

"Intergovernmental cooperation efforts have enabled Sevastopol to establish partnerships with neighboring communities, State agencies, Door County, and the Sevastopol School District to provide coordinated, cost-effective services to residents."

Goal: To coordinate with the adjacent communities, Door County, and other stakeholders on planning initiatives.

• The Town of Sevastopol will seek to cooperate with all neighboring municipalities, Door County, Bay-Lake RPC, state agencies and the Sevastopol and Sturgeon Bay School Districts for mutual benefit.
• Seek new ways to coordinate and share community facilities and services with neighboring communities, the school districts, and Door County.
• Sevastopol will continue to work with adjoining governments as the town revises and updates its comprehensive plan and will coordinate future planning and development activities in boundary areas.

In order for the Town of Sevastopol to grow in an orderly and efficient manner, it is necessary for the town to work with its neighbors, Door County, the State of Wisconsin, and other units of government. Working cooperatively is especially important since many issues, such as storm water management and transportation, do not recognize municipal boundaries. The Town of Sevastopol has formed partnerships with several of its neighboring municipalities for the following services:

• The Town of Sevastopol has agreements with all adjacent municipalities regarding maintenance on shared border roads.
• The town has a partnership with municipalities for shared fire service.
• Ambulance/EMS services
• Police protection

The Town of Sevastopol 20-Year Comprehensive Plan was adopted by the town on November 25, 2019.

• Dan Woelfel
• Linda Wait
• John Staveness
• Jim Nellen
• Mark Haen

• John Staveness
• Mary Ellen Ramstack
• Laird Salisbury
• Jay Hubner
• Linda Wait
• Hugh Zettel
• Jim Nellen, Alternate

• Brandon Robinson
• Madison Smith
• Nicole Barbiaux
• Harry Graham

Funded by the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Office for Coastal Management under the Coastal Zone Management Act, Grant #NA18NOS4190091.