What to know about Sheboygan's 20-year Comprehensive Plan revision process
SHEBOYGAN – Public engagement for the city's new Comprehensive Plan will begin next year to help craft a vision for the next 20 years.
The city is partnering with Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission on the planning process, which could take more than a year to complete. The city is expected to adopt the plan next fall.
Typically, municipalities create a Comprehensive Plan every 10 years to outline a broad vision for projects related to transportation, public health resources, economic development and other community assets.
Sheboygan's last Comprehensive Plan was published in 2011.
An Aug. 13 overview presentation at the City Plan Commission meeting and a September bike ride with Mayor Ryan Sorenson sparked the early phase of the planning process.
Former Director of Planning and Development Diane McGinnis-Casey estimated about 50 people participated in the bike ride. They explored neighborhoods and discussed existing inventory and street infrastructure.
McGinnis-Casey said active engagement in the planning process is essential for the Comprehensive Plan to be representative of the community.
"As we plan for the future, we want people to want to be here," she said. "This is an opportunity to help shape what the future looks like, not only for themselves, but for their kids and generations to come."
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Why is Sheboygan updating the Comprehensive Plan so late?
A 2023 report from the Wisconsin Department of Administration found more than half of municipal comprehensive plans are out of date. State statute requires plans to be updated at least every 10 years.
McGinnis-Casey said the city's renewal deadline hit during the COVID pandemic, so there was a delay in the planning process.
Has the planning process begun yet?
So far, Bay-Lake RPC has conducted extensive data gathering and analysis looking into community assets and needs, McGinnis-Casey said.
How will Sheboygan engage the community in planning?
McGinnis-Casey said the city is expected to host thematic open houses starting in late spring. They could focus on housing, transportation and economic development.
She added the city could consider conducting a public survey but understands residents are "survey fatigued." The city is exploring other formats, too.
The goal is to ensure the BLRPC data are reflective of the city's diverse and large population.
How will the Comprehensive Plan be implemented?
McGinnis-Casey said the Comprehensive Plan will be fairly broad and shared with the City Plan Commission. Individual projects will be pieced out.
For example, she said the plan may have a general goal to increase more housing, but specific considerations, like location and type, will be determined on a project basis.
How often will the plan be reviewed?
An implementation chapter will be established to review the Comprehensive Plan every few years to assess project completion and ensure it's still a relevant tool, McGinnis-Casey said.
What were goals of the outdated Comprehensive Plan?
Key initiatives identified in the 2011 Comprehensive Plan included spurring economic development and job creation, enhancing the lakefront, improving the transportation system and diversifying the housing stock.
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This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Sheboygan begins 20-year Comprehensive Plan revision process
