Monroe County Wisconsin
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Town of Little Falls Smart Growth Comprehensive Plan 2020 Revised 2020 -DRAFT- 5.1 Rev. The Little Falls Planning Commission Revision 2020 Acknowledgments 2020 Town Board Bryon Olsen, Town Chairman Tom Stuessel, Town Supervisor Alen McCoy, Town Supervisor Town Officials Cassie Schober, Clerk Ginnie Follendorf, Treasurer Plan Commission Nancy VanDalsem, Chair -DRAFT-Stephen Klein, Vice Chair Luann Schultz, Secretary Bodo Nemic, Carol Las, Edith McCoy, Members Brian Olsen, Town Board Representative 5.1 The Planning Commission would like to publicly thank the following: Don Herr for his many years of service as town chairman in Little Falls and other roles for the township. Roxie Anderson, Land Use Planner of Monroe County for her assistance and direction in the Rev.process of updating Little Falls Comprehensive Plan. Donna Heur for her many years of service to the township as the town clerk in Little Falls. Introduction About Wisconsin's Smart Growth Legislation General Overview As part of the state's 1999-2000 biennial budget, Then Governor Thompson signed into law what is referred to as the "Smart Growth" legislation 1999 Wisconsin Act 9). Briefly, Smart Growth does the following: • It requires local government units to adopt and implement a comprehensive plan, as defined in the legislation, by January 1, 2010, in order to carry out any action that affects land use. • Establishes 14 comprehensive planning goals to be applied in three ways: (1) as guidance for state agencies; (2) as a benchmark for local governmental units that prepare a state-mandated plan: and (3) by the Wisconsin Land Council in allocating planning grants. • Provides state funding to help local units of government pay for preparing2020 and adopting comprehensive plans. • Establishes a "smart growth" dividend aid program that will provide state funding to cities, villages, towns, and counties based on a number of credits that a governmental unit earns. • It requires cities, villages, and towns with a population of at least 12,500, to adopt ordinances for what is referred to as traditional development and conservation subdivisions. Although these governmental units must adopt these ordinances, they do have to implement them unless they want to promote these types of development patterns. • Delegates additional responsibility to the Wisconsin Land Council for oversight of Smart Growth legislation. Comprehensive Planning The Smart Growth legislation significantly changed the stature of comprehensive planning in the states and places it very-DRAFT- high on a local government unit's "to do" list. Although state statutes do not require local government units to adopt comprehensive plans consistent with the requirements, it provides that if a local government unit does not do so by January 1, 2010, it may not enforce existing or adopt new ordinances, plans or regulations that in any way affect land use. Purpose of the Plan The Town5.1 of Little Falls Comprehensive Plan is intended to be the will-of-the- people in writing for land use planning. When the people's desires in this community change, so too should this document. Local officials shall use this document to save time when making land-use decisions. The Plan will also assist in the development and management issues of public administration by addressing short-range and long-range concerns regarding the development and preservation of the community. Rev. Introduction Page 1 of 3 Introduction Regional Context The Town of Little Falls is located in the northwest corner of Monroe County. Its boundaries include Jackson County to the north, La Crosse County to the West, the Town of Sparta in Monroe County to the south, and the Town of New Lyme, also in Monroe County, to the east. The Town of Little Falls is in an area known as the Coulee Region, which is made up of rolling hills, including acres of farmland and forest land. Previous Planning Efforts 2020 The Town of Little Falls adopted a comprehensive plan in 2009. It has adopted the Monroe County Zoning Ordinances previously. The reviewed plan does not supersede the Monroe County zoning ordinance but rather enhances it. Community Survey In order to obtain up-to-date information about the residents and their views, in September 2019, the Planning Commission sent out over 850 surveys that were generated by the Planning Commission. Over 33% were returned. Survey responses are used throughout this plan where appropriate. Survey results were compiled and are included as Schedule A. Historical Overview The small agricultural community of Cataract,-DRAFT- Wisconsin is the only area of concentrated settlement in the town of Little Falls, Monroe County, Wisconsin and is unincorporated. It borders on both Dustin and Soper Creeks, tributary streams of Big Creek, which feeds into the Black River. Located in Section 27 of Town 19, range 4 west at 44°5' North Latitude, 91°49' West Longitude. The Village is eleven miles north of Sparta, the County Seat of Monroe County, on Wisconsin State Highway 27. Cataract is situated on the northern boundary of the unglaciated, or driftless area. Thus the scenery of the surrounding area is characterized less by the high, partially forested hills and verdant5.1 valleys which exist immediately to the southwest and more of a gently rolling, slightly hilly topography with intermittent areas of second-growth forest and grassy lands which are usually pastured. The Cataract Millpond, which has been formed by damming Dustin Creek, provides the community with a trout fishing area. The millpond originally furnished a portion of the power for the Cataract feed mill, which no longer exists. In the early days of Cataract, it was noted as a stagecoach stop on Hwy 27 between Sparta and Black River Falls. Rev. Page 2 of 3 Introduction Mission Statement To plan for the future with the survey results as a guide and be flexible enough to take advantage of opportunities that may arise. To preserve agriculture as a family farm enterprise. To promote forestry and encourage well-managed forestry practices. To manage residential growth to take place in an orderly fashion. To maintain the small town/rural atmosphere. Recommendations: 1. Minimum lot size of 5 acres with the zoning of agricultural; minimum lot size of 2 acres with the zoning of residential. 2. Protect downslope people from impervious runoff of their neighbors. 2020 3. Enforce the township's driveway ordinance. 4. Enforce the township’s Non-Metallic Mining [NMM] ordinance and agreements. -DRAFT- 5.1 Rev. Page 3 of 3 Table of Contents The Nine Elements Page Introduction 1-3 T This chapter puts the plan into a larger context. It describes the purpose of Link the plan and the regional features. A. Issues and Opportunities A 1-3 This chapter discusses the major issues that affect the preparation of the plan. Link A social demographics profile is also provided on the most recent data available. B. Housing 2020 This chapter provides an overview of the existing housing stock, describes B 1-2 the local housing market and reviews state and local housing programs. Link C. Transportation This chapter assesses existing transportation facilities, including roads, rail, C 1-2 air, and special transit facilities and reviews state planning projects and Link budgets related to transportation. D. Utilities and Community Facilities This chapter identifies and describes the full range of community- D 1-2 type facilities currently provided and assesses the capability of those Link facilities to accommodate new growth. E. Agriculture, Historical & Cultural Resources This chapter provides background information on a wide variety of E 1-2 agricultural, historical and cultural resources in and around the community. -DRAFT-Link F. Economic Development This chapter looks at the local economy, local and state economic F 1-2 development efforts and the strengths and weaknesses of the local economy. Link. G. Intergovernmental5.1 Coordination This chapter provides a description of other governmental units and areas of G 1-3 conflict and resolves to promote better coordination. Link H. Land Use H 1-4 This chapter looks at existing land use patterns, local real estate forces and Link sites that have been contaminated and are in need of redevelopment. Rev. Table of Contents Page 1 of 3 Table of Contents I. Implementation I 1-6 This chapter lays out the plan for implementation. Link J. Public Participation Plan J 1-4 Link Appendix and Charts Page A. Housing Section A a. S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES Section A, a Link 2020 b. DP04 SELECTED HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS Section A, b Link B. Tax Distribution Chart Section B Link C. Real Estate Valuation Chart’s Section C Link D. Survey and Results Section D Link E. Town of Little Falls Profile Section E Link F. 2017 Census of Agriculture County Profile Section F Link G. 2019 Workforce Profile -DRAFT-Section G Link H. EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT FOR THE POPULATION 25 YEARS AND Section H OVER B15003 Link I. INDUSTRY BY SEX FOR THE CIVILIAN EMPLOYED POPULATION 16 Section I YEARS AND OVER5.1 S2403 Link J. US Census S1901 2013-2017 INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS Section J (IN 2017 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS) by Township Link K. Weeds What are Weeds? Definition also Noxious vs. Invasive Section K Link L. List of Town of Little Falls Ordinances that Support this Plan Goals and Objectives Section L Link Rev. Table of Contents Page 2 of 3 Table of Contents M. Appendix M: Little Falls Crisis Response Plan Section M Link Maps Page Town of Little Falls Roads Map 1 Link Cataract Sanitary District Map 2 Link General Soils Map Map 3&4 Link2020 Soil Slope Classes Map 3&4 Link Watershed Map Map 5 Link Northern Mississippi Valley Soils Map 6 Link Zoning Ordinance Map Map 7 Link Future Land Use Map 8 Link -DRAFT- 5.1 Rev.