2.1.5  Consider Who Should Prepare the Plan

Some communities may find that they are capable of preparing a useful and effective plan on their own, using the knowledge and expertise of members of the local plan commission and interested citizens.

If a community has a planning department, the community’s own staff may be able to prepare part or all of the plan. Existing planning staff can certainly be called upon to organize and oversee the overall planning process. However, the planning staff is also responsible for administering and enforcing existing land use regulations, and may find it difficult to wear that hat and at the same time propose a different set of land use regulations.

Most communities need or want to have professional assistance in preparing their plan. One reason is that an outside consultant is likely to see things and reach conclusions that might not occur to local residents and staff. People who have lived in a community most of their lives do not see their community the way outsiders see and experience it. An outside consultant will also be in a position to offer recommendations that local officials and residents might not feel comfortable suggesting.

If the community decides to seek outside assistance in developing a plan, it will still have a number of choices to make. If the county has a county planning department, the community might obtain technical assistance there. If the community is in a region served by a regional planning commission, it may be able contract with it. The University of Wisconsin-Extension is also a source of outside assistance. Or, the community can hire any of a number of private consulting firms with qualifications in land use and comprehensive planning.