draft 11/15/07
Town of Chase
20-Year Comprehensive Plan
(Goals, Objectives, Policies, and programs)
The following statements describe the town’s intent regarding the overall growth and development during the next 20 years.
Goals, objectives, policies and programs are a combination of intended steps to produce a series of desired outcomes. They each have a distinct and different purpose within the planning process.
· Goals - describe desired situations toward which planning efforts should be directed. They are broad and long range. They represent an end to be sought, although they may never actually be fully attained.
· Objectives - are measurable ends toward reaching a defined goal.
· Policies - are a rule or course of action used to ensure plan implementation.
· Programs - are a coordinated series of policies and actions to carry out the plan.
Note: Since many planning issues are interrelated (e.g., land use and transportation), the goals, objectives, policies, and programs of one element may relate to those stated in other elements.
Land Use
GOAL: To ensure the town is developed/preserved according to the land uses and land use recommendations prepared as a basis for creation and implementation of the General Plan Design (Chapter 2 of this document).
Community Planning
GOAL: To consult the Town of Chase 20-year Comprehensive Plan when making future land use decisions.
Natural Resources
GOAL: To maintain a clean and healthy natural environment for Town of Chase residents to use and enjoy.
Agricultural Resources
GOAL: To protect valuable farmland by directing development to other areas with similar land uses and supporting infrastructure.
Cultural Resources
GOAL: To identify, protect, enhance, and promote the town’s cultural assets.
Housing
GOAL: To collaborate with Oconto County and Village of Pulaski to ensure there are a variety of quality housing options for all segments of the town’s current and future population.
Economic Development
GOAL: To encourage small scale economic development that fits the rural environment of the town.
Transportation
GOAL: To establish and maintain safe and efficient multi-modal transportation system.
Utilities/Community Facilities
GOAL: To ensure future community facilities and public utilities adequately serve the residents of the town.
Parks and Recreation
GOAL: To establish and maintain a variety of recreational opportunities for town residents.
Intergovernmental Cooperation
GOAL: To coordinate with the Village of Pulaski, Oconto County and other stakeholders on future planning projects that affect the town and surrounding area.
From 1997
Transportation RECOMMENDATIONS
Traffic considerations which the town should take into account when planning for future development may include the following:
1. Adequate vehicular and pedestrian access should be provided to all parcels of land.
2. Local road systems should be designed to minimize through traffic movement.
3. The road pattern should minimize excessive travel.
4. A simple and comprehensible system of road names and house numbering should be provided.
5. Traffic generators located within new subdivisions such as schools, churches and parks should be considered in the local circulation pattern.
6. The planning and construction of local residential roads should clearly indicate their function.
7. The local roads should be designed for a relatively uniform and low volume of traffic.
8. Local roads should be designed to discourage excessive speeds.
9. Minimize intersections.
10. Devote a minimal but adequate amount of space to road uses.
11. Roads are a function of land use and therefore should not unduly hinder the development of land.
12. Pedestrian and bicycle paths should be separated from vehicle paths where possible.
park and recreation RECOMMENDATIONS
The following recommendations are based on the current needs which were established by the preceding inventories and may serve as a guide for future park acquisition and development.
Overall Recommendations
The previous recreation analyses imply that the town should be active in promoting or acquiring new lands for recreational purposes. Abundant vacant lands and natural resource areas are available for future park and recreation sites. As the previous town-wide survey results showed, many of the respondents looked very favorably upon this type of natural resource preservation and park and trail development. In terms of general, future recreational land uses, it is recommended that the town initiate the following activities:
1. Adopt the Comprehensive Land Use Plan or portions thereof;
2. Allow the Town Plan Commission to oversee all park and recreation activities such as;
· Identification of specific properties for acquisition;
· Development of an Official Map;
· Development of subdivision ordinances / impact fee language & methodology
· Acquisition of specific properties;
· Development and preparation of detailed park master plans (conduct activity survey);
· Development of a detailed park and recreation budget and capital improvements program (CIP);
· Preparation of applications for grants and aids;
3. Work with the town board and Oconto County to foster support for alternative, creative residential development designs (i.e. cluster development) that provide ample open space, or “green space”, which can be utilized by its inhabitants as recreational areas.
PUBLIC / COMMUNITY FACILITIES RECOMMENDATIONS
The following community facility needs were derived from the information contained in this section as well as from discussions with the town of Chase and Village of Pulaski:
1. Continue with new town hall facility as planned.
2. Work with Pulaski School District to develop plans and identify new locations for a new school facility.
3. Continue discussions with the Village of Pulaski for additional police services as needed.
4. Discuss tax base revenue sharing with the Village of Pulaski for nearby developments which may require sewer and water facilities.
5. Work with the Village of Pulaski to address expansion of septage collection facility at east lagoons.
6. Develop a stormwater management plan for the town to address water quality issues. This may include requirements for stormwater detention ponds being constructed for new residential subdivisions.
7. Work with the Village of Pulaski to address well testing and abandonments near the village limits.
8. Invest in and continually update computer systems for all aspects of the town’s administrative functions.
9. Consider investing in new public works equipment in order to adequately, and economically, perform required maintenance/improvement duties.
10. Establish a 3-5 year Capital Improvements Program (CIP) for the town’s public facilities, which also includes an identification of potential funding sources and mechanisms.
11. Re-examine municipal funding options for public/community facilities (i.e., user fees versus property taxes, impact fees, etc.).
comprehensive plan Goals and Objectives
This section contains the “framework” for which the Year 2015 Land Use Plan is based upon. The Chase Plan Commission, with the assistance of the Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission met several times to develop the following goals and objectives to address future development within the town and to help in creating a “vision” for the community.
Goals represent community ideals and are broken down into several major categories or issue areas. Objectives are more specific targets along the path of satisfying community goals. These goals and objectives were initially approved by the Chase Plan Commission in August, 1996.
Comprehensive Plan Implementation
I. The goal of the plan will be consistent with that described in § 62.23(3) of the Wisconsin State Statutes which states that "The master plan shall be made with the general purpose of guiding and accomplishing a coordinated, adjusted and harmonious development of the municipality which will, in accordance with existing and future needs, best promote public health, safety, morals, order, convenience, prosperity of the general welfare, as well as efficiency and economy in the process of development".
A. To adopt a Comprehensive Plan which reflects the needs of all current and future citizens of the town of Chase.
B. Use the Comprehensive Plan as an expression of the town’s development policy.
C. Update the town codes and ordinances to be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
D. Update the Comprehensive Plan on a ten-year cycle, with citizen input.
E. Encourage and improve cooperation and communication between the town and county / state agencies to implement the goals of the Comprehensive Plan.
Community Growth and Development
II. To provide a land use and growth pattern which meets the needs of the citizens of Chase by providing for a balanced mix of land uses and land use arrangements that minimize land use conflicts, preserves rural character, provides for a variety of land use types, and provides for the enhancement of the quality of life for town’s citizens.
A. To provide areas for new development while maintaining the integrity of the existing natural resource base.
B. To protect future growth areas from incompatible development.
C. To develop land use policies which accommodate new development in a logical, cost-effective manner while preserving the town’s farming activities.
D. To create development assessment procedures that enhance the quality of life and encourage cost-effective development.
E. Maintain the character of existing rural portions of the town
F. To work with the neighboring Village of Pulaski on development issues which affect both municipalities.
Natural Resources
III. Preserve unique and significant open space and natural resource areas of the town.
A. To protect and improve the quality of water within the town.
B. To protect the existing public open space areas from development.
C. To provide adequate public access to the town's open space areas.
D. To protect designated environmental corridors from development.
E. To discourage development in designated floodplains.
F. To encourage “clustered” development to preserve natural resources.
Transportation
IV. To establish a safe and efficient transportation system for motor vehicles, pedestrians, and bicycles that is compatible to the adopted Year 2015 Land Use Plan.
A. To develop a transportation system which provides for all transportation modes.
B. To develop a transportation system which is harmonious with surrounding land uses.
C. To provide for convenient and efficient vehicular movement near all commercial, industrial, and public facility locations.
D. Provide a safe system of bicycle paths and designated bicycle routes throughout the town.
E. Provide for adequate traffic controls (i.e. turning lanes, frontage roads) near businesses located along the STH 32.
F. To provide and maintain aesthetically pleasing transportation corridors.
G. To provide safe and convenient pedestrian traffic movement.
Housing and Residential Development
V. To provide for a variety of quality housing opportunities for all segments of Chase’ population in such a way that adverse environmental impacts are minimized and adequate public services are provided.
A. To provide policies and programs that assist citizens to obtain decent, safe, and sanitary housing.
B. To improve inadequate and substandard housing conditions.
C. To provide an adequate supply of housing that is affordable to the population of the town of Chase while minimizing land use conflicts.
D. To promote contiguous residential development near existing developed areas and population centers.
E. To provide areas of new housing development that can adequately be served by community services and facilities.
F. To protect residential areas from non-compatible land uses.
G. To protect the integrity of existing residential neighborhoods.
H. To protect the environmental and farmland features from intrusion of rural residential subdivisions.
Commercial Development
VI. To encourage harmonious and well-planned commercial development which will serve the needs of the town and area residents, and the specialized needs of the rural area.
A. To limit strip commercial development along STH 32 to existing areas.
B. To encourage new commercial development in existing commercial areas.
C. To limit home-based business within the town to areas which are compatible for such uses.
Industrial Development
VII. To provide an economic climate which provides for the diversification and/or expansion of the existing and future industrial base that provides employment opportunities for residents, is consistent with the scale of development of the town, and that is environmentally sound.
A. To provide areas for industrial development that are compatible with adjacent land uses.
B. To retain existing industries.
C. To provide for industrial development that minimizes adverse environmental impacts.
Recreation
VIII. Provide and maintain a system of outdoor recreation areas that offer a diversity of recreational activities to all town residents.
A. To provide recreational facilities that are found to be in short supply or totally lacking.
B. To provide diversified recreational facilities and programs for all age groups designed to serve changing needs and preferences.
C. To identify and establish priorities for developing needed recreational facilities, based on the amount of dollars available and the expressed needs of the town residents.
D. To consider access for the disabled and elderly when planning, designing, and constructing all new recreation projects, including parking, trails, etc., and when making improvements at all existing recreation areas.
E. To encourage greater citizen participation in the plans for the development of recreational facilities.
F. To coordinate the town's plan with the recreation plans of Oconto County
G. To provide for periodic review and evaluation of the town’s recreation plan to keep it current, usable, and eligible for grant funds.
Public and Community Facilities
IX. Expand and improve the quantity and quality of community services which are essential for sound community development and provide for the orderly development of the town through the planned development of public and community facilities.
A. To continually assess the needs for the development of public water facilities, sanitary sewers, and storm sewers in areas near the Village of Pulaski.
B. Allow development to take place only if it can be served with adequate public services.
C. Keep the town hall and other public offices in easily accessible areas of the town.
D. To provide safe and convenient access to all public buildings.
E. To provide adequate solid waste disposal service.
F. To provide adequate fire protection to the residents of the town of Chase.
G. To provide additional services and facilities to meet the needs of an increasing elderly population.