I. Basics, Roles, Responsibilities - Building the Capacity of your Plan Commission

Town Plan Commission Sample Ordinance (17 pages, 307 KB) - a sample ordinance to help you set up or review the responsibilities of your Town Plan Commission

Village Plan Commission Sample Ordinance (14 pages, 1.24 MB) -sample ordinances to help you set up a or review your Village Plan Commission ordinance

Fact Sheet - The Town Plan Commission (9 pages, 41 KB) - this fact sheet address major topics of why to establish a Plan commission, relationships, authorities, and powers and duties. While this is written for Towns, the town authority to set up Plan Commssions is given through the statutes applicable to villages and cities and therefore would be useful to these types of municipalities as well

Roles for Plan Commissioners, Town Boards and Zoning Boards of Appeals/Adjustment (31.5 KB) - one page sheet with brief explanation of roles.

Recruiting and Retaining Qualified Plan Commissioners (20 pages, 528 KB) - a factsheet on the hows and whys of retaining a qualified plan commission. For Plan Commission member application and selection matrix forms, check the following website and scroll down a bit http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr/landcenter/pubs-bulletins.html

Plan Commission Handbook - this link will take you to the CLUE website to download the Plan Commission Handbook and new Zoning Board Handbook (for Boards of Appeal and Adjustments)

Plan Commissioner Duties and Conduct Overview (3 pages, 28.5 KB) - A brief overview of Plan Commissioner duties and responsibilities developed by Winnebago County Planning and Zoning Department.

II. Running Effective Meetings

Open Meetings Law (8 pages, 173 KB) - an overview factsheet

Open Meetings and Public Notification (4 pages, 51 KB) - excerpt from the Plan Commission Handbook

Public Hearings information (3 pages, 3.29 MB)

Agendas and Taking Minutes (128 KB) - a power point presentation that overviews local government agendas and minute taking.

III. Public Participation

Public Participation in Local Government Meetings (3 pages, 104 KB) - DId you know that Open Meetings law gives the public the right to attend a local government meeting, but not the right to participate? This right is retained by the local government. Read this factsheet for more information.

Comprehensive Planning and Citizen Participation (76 pages, 2.16 MB) - A comprehensive guide for public participation for all sorts of planning activities.

International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) Spectrum of participation (1 page, 621 KB)

Web Resources

UW Stevens Point Center for Land Use Education (CLUE) Website - lots of links to resources and publications!

Planning Commissioner Journal - a National organization providing resources for plan commissioners. You can find subscription information for the Planning Commissioner Journal here too!

Plan Commissioner email updates - on a periodic basis, I will send email updates and resources to plan commissioners throughout the county on land use or planning related topics. If you would like to be added to this list, please email me at cneiswender@co.winnebago.wi.us.

If you have any questions regarding the Plan CommissionerResources in Winnebago County, please contact:

Catherine Neiswender
Winnebago County - UW Extension
Suite 600
625 E. County Road Y
Oshkosh, WI 54901-8131
Phone: 920-232-1972 or 920-727-8643
Fax: 920-424-1277
Email: cneiswender@co.winnebago.wi.us