Table of Contents

Comprehensive Planning

This guide is written to help local elected officials better understand comprehensive plans and planning, ensure purposeful public participation throughout the planning process, and get started on the process as mandated by Wisconsin state statutes. It describes a nine-step comprehensive planning process and highlights opportunities for citizen participation, education, and evaluation. It then offers 14 common citizen engagement methods and techniques and provides worksheet templates for involving citizens in the comprehensive planning process.

Introducing Planning Concepts to Nonplanners

This guide introduces local elected officials and municipal staff members to comprehensive planning. It provides step-by-step guidance on developing a comprehensive plan. It also includes a list of methodologies for citizen participation, an essential aspect of the comprehensive plan process. While the guide is embedded in the context of Wisconsin laws, it is easily adaptable and broadly applicable to other localities.