There are many different types of plans, and the variety of plans can be a source of confusion to local officials and citizens. Citizens may begin to wonder why a community prepares a stormwater management plan one year, a sewer service area plan the next year, and then prepares a master plan the following year. When a community prepares a plan, it is important that the community understand what type of plan it is, its purpose, and how the plan relates to other plans or planning activities in the community. Communities need to provide the framework to coordinate the various planning activities in a meaningful way so the sum of those planning activities can create a meaningful guide to the future of the community.
Plans reflect community values.
Those values become law through the zoning ordinance and other tools. The Wisconsin Legislature authorizes local governments to prepare a variety of plans. Planning enabling laws are the basic mechanism through which the state delegates its inherent authority to local government to plan for and regulate the use of land. However, not all types of planning activity depend upon specific statutory enabling authority. For example, special area plans, site plans, and strategic plans are not dependent upon specific enabling legislation.