Planning Sustainability in a Rural Environment

Our Experiences with the Town of Bayfield Comprehensive Plan

The State of Wisconsin Statute Section 66.1001 of the Wisconsin Statutes

requires Municipalities to adopt a Comprehensive Plan by January 1, 2010 or be subject to such a plan as defined by the next higher body of government which has adopted such a Plan.

The Comprehensive Plan contains nine mandatory elements Issues and Opportunities Housing Utilities and Community Facilities Agricultural, Cultural and National Resources Economic Development Intergovernmental Cooperation Land Use Transportation Implementation

Our Process Form a Planning Committee (appointed by

Town Chairman) public participation conduct surveys conduct public meetings support the democratic process

Utilizing a “red dot process” determine priorities seek to achieve actionable compromise Write a plan conforming to these inputs Present the proposed Plan for adoption by the

Town Board

The Town of Bayfieldis

A Rural Environment Widely distributed population Agrarian and Tourism economy Long distance transportation of goods Limited public transportation Limited public sanitary services Limited financial assets

Sustainability for the Town of Bayfield

primarily involvespreserving and protecting our agrarian economy, farmlands and maintaining that which

attracts tourism; Lake Superior, rural ambiance and

the environment

Comprehensive PlanObjectives

Comprehensive Plan Objectives T1: Complete an objective study of how

current modes of public transportation, which access the area, might be improved and of the feasibility of expanding access by the addition of new ones.

Comprehensive Plan Objectives: T7: Explore options for public

transportation within the Town. Task 1: Survey Town residents to determine

what types of public transportation are needed. Contact and work with BART to determine feasibility of additional services…

We have accomplished: Established a dialogue with the Bay Area

Rural Transit system (BART) to increase transportation in the area and to provide modes of local transportation

Sustainability Objectives

UCF2 Task 3: Work cooperatively with the Pikes Bay Sanitary Commission in order to facilitate necessary sanitary services in balance with preservation and economic development needs of the Town

H-1,Task 1: Encourage cluster developments with shared wells and septic systems. Provide for more liberal utilization of B&B’s, rental rooms and other scattered site residential opportunities for seasonal employees.

H-3 Task 2: Set standards for the manufactured home park development to ensure compatibility with the rural character and natural resources of the Town.

We have achieved: Cooperation with the Pikes Bay Sanitary

District so that services are provided to greater density populations but sanitary lines avoid areas in agricultural use; preserving it as farmland

We are currently developing affordable housing programs

More Sustainability Objectives H-4: Seek energy efficiencies in all new

construction. Task 1: Encourage developers to consider the

most efficient use of renewable energy in new and existing housing

Task 2: Develop a list of available resources on sustainable energy

Task 3: Encourage L.E.E.D. certifications (referred to as “Green House” guidelines)

We have accomplished A Business Park development, currently

with one Tenant, World Class Manufacturing in a building built with energy efficiencies and green objectives for the property.

An example of “planting an idea” We have Solar power contractors active in

the Town. Some farms and residences are entirely “off the power grid” while many others have installed PV electrical and Hot Water Solar systems that contribute to energy savings and reduce the carbon footprint

In cooperation with Bayfield County two potential wind power turbine locations are being evaluated

More Sustainability Objectives NR 1: Encourage more sensitive forestry

practices, especially near scenic corridors and within ¼ mile of wetlands, streams and lakeshores… Task 1: Prepare a map showing the areas

identified as scenic sites… Task 2: Identify and clearly designate

wetlands… Task 3: Maintain the quality of our

groundwater…

Additional NR1 Tasks Task 4: Establish vegetation controls and

recommendations that provide management of rainwater runoff and prevent erosion…

Task 5: Identify areas appropriate for protected open space, scenic view corridors and roadside parking areas accessible to scenic views.

Task 6: Identify Natural Resources and wildlife or vegetation which should be priorities for preservation.

We have accomplished: Steps to preserve and improve waterways

and river deltas Non-motorized paths, particularly along

the Lake Superior shoreline ATV and Snowmobile paths established in

areas suitable for them

We have accomplished: Steps to maintain and improve highways

and byways A limited number of lakeside residents

have established “rain gardens” to control stormwater runoff

The Pikes Bay Sanitary District plant utilizes the latest technology in effluent water disposal and exceeds DNR and Great Lakes water purity standards

Eco Municipality In conjunction with other Towns and Cities

in the Chequamegon Bay area, we have adopted an “Eco Municipality Resolution” which facilitated our participation in joint programs to preserve the lakeshore and coastal littoral, as well as promoting good practices by our Town residents.

More Sustainability Objectives AR1: Focus the farmland preservation by

clearly identifying areas in need of preservation because of their visibility as farm lands. Task 1: Continue the funding for the Purchase

of Development Rights Program. Explore additional means of raising the necessary capital to financed the program…

Additional AR1 Tasks Task 2: Distinguish between prime farmland

identified for grain crops and grasses, as compares to Orchard and Berry farmlands

Task 3: Encourage the application of the Farm Law (823.08 WI Stat.) and ensure appropriate buffer zones between agricultural use and residential use of land.

More Sustainability Objectives AR 2: Protect farmland from subdivision

and development. Task 1: Continue the Purchase of Development

Rights Program… Task 2: Explore and implement other means of

protecting farmland, such as open space zoning, performance zoning, conservation design subdivision and planned unit developments.

We have accomplished: Four farms in the Town are in the

Farmland Preservation program They have sold development rights and

are now primarily for use as farmland Berry farms and Apple Orchards are an

essential part of the Town of Bayfield economy

Additional Objectives CR1: Support efforts to manage

waterways, water resources and wetlands along the shore of Lake Superior Task 1: Limit clearing and construction on

designated erosion prone coastal areas Task 2: Seek to manage and, where possible,

retain on site storm runoff and floodwaters. Task 3: Maintain vegetation in coastal ravines

and river/stream deltas

Additional Objectives IG1: Establish regular communications

and build a spirit of cooperation for solving development and infrastructure problems with the governments of neighboring communities as well as with Bayfield County.

Three Change Processes That Work Change brought about Concrete Results Change occurred systematically, that is,

throughout all or several functional areas Change became institutionalized as part of

the ongoing official policies of municipal government

*The Natural Step, Torbjorn Lahti/Sarah James

The Natural Step Model Reduce dependence upon fossil fuels, extracted

underground metals and minerals Reduce dependence on chemicals and other

manufactured substances that can accumulate in nature

Reduce dependence on activities that harm life-sustaining ecosystems

Meet the hierarchy of human needs fairly and efficiently

*American Planning Association

Next Steps The Town of Bayfield, in accordance with the

Wisconsin Statutes, will undertake a “five year revision” to the Comprehensive Plan in 2010. In preparation we have: Reviewed current progress (and any errors) Established a “short list” of items we want to complete

in 2009 Begun a plan for completing the original planning steps,

in more abbreviated form, pursuant to writing a revised Comprehensive Plan

We will then commence another five year period pursuing objectives

In Summary Patience

Absent a “top down” social system for funding and direction toward greater sustainability, we have found it necessary to motivate businesses, government entities and NGOs in order to gain adoption and enthusiasm toward Sustainability. This requires patience.

Public Involvement Throughout the process of adopting and

executing the Plan, we have found it helpful and necessary to promote public involvement.

Questions and Answers

Thank you for your interest and participation