Julie Anderson, Planning & Development Director
Frank Risler, Manager Planning
David Mundigler, Manager Code Administration

OPERATING AUTHORITY AND PURPOSE

Pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes, Planning and Development staff members work closely with the general public and municipal officials to perform land use planning, zoning and sanitation functions for Racine County. These include daily issuance of sanitary and zoning permits and analysis of rezoning requests, conditional use petitions and variance petitions, as well as long range planning activities such as working with towns to develop land use plans for the year 2030 and beyond. As required by the State, Racine County has adopted non-metallic mining rules and regulations that are administered by this Department. Staff members also review proposed subdivisions for consistency with good planning principles and the Racine County land division ordinance (Chap. 18). This office is also responsible for monitoring the Racine County zoning ordinance and subdivision regulations to keep them current with changing technologies, lifestyles, and State and Federal statutes and regulations. In addition, staff is involved in protecting and preserving Racine County's environment through coastal erosion mapping and studies as well as shoreland, wetland, and floodplain management, including shoreland contracts. This Department also administers the state-mandated Private Sewage System program for all non-sewered areas of Racine County, which is a multi-faceted operation requiring staff licensure to conduct on-site soil evaluations, issuing of State sanitary permits and oversight of the installation and maintenance of all private sewage systems. This staff also handles zoning violations.

EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE MEASURES

The performance goals set for 2004 are being achieved as follows:  

• Staff continues to work at a high level of service with respect to permit issuance, zoning violation processing and guiding proper land use development within the County through significant intergovernmental cooperation and educational efforts with local, state, federal governments, and the general public.
• More zoning and planning information is available on the County website for use by the public.
• Changes to the Racine County zoning ordinance are being developed to align with the current economic conditions and land use realities.
• The office has become more user-friendly regarding proposed developments and projects that will add tax base value to the County and local municipalities.

2005 GOALS AND BUDGET STRATEGIES

• Maintain a public service focus in land use, code administration and land conservation issues.
• Recommend amendments that will keep zoning, utilities and subdivision ordinances current.
• Educate and assist town planning commissions and other local committees in good land use planning practices and principles by providing staff at local committee meetings, as needed.
• Preserve and protect Racine County's natural environment by working toward the implementation of various land use plans through the enforcement of shoreland, floodplain, and wetland provisions and by balancing economic development with environmental protection.
• Work with towns that are considering incorporation to determine what effect there will be on County zoning and planning services, and if combining or contracting services are in the public interest.
• Obtain compliance with past and present zoning violations to ensure an overall benefit to the citizens of Racine County.
• Provide a web-based zoning application that contains spatial data for use by the public.
• Make it possible for some County zoning permit transactions to occur via the Internet.