We’re in a new round of big-project proposals for Whitewater. Here’s a suggestion, that this municipal administration would do well to follow, for any large-scale proposal: (1) Release any feasibility study, analysis, or performance contract on the city’s website a month (thirty calendar days) before Council consideration. (2) Hold a public hearing specifically and exclusively…
Planning
Planning, Politics
Gun Lobby v. Baraboo Land Plan
Don’t bring a land plan to a gun fight – ed.: The public is learning what happens when the Wisconsin DNR, beholden to special interests, allowed certain lobbies to change an agreed-upon land use plan: At the heart of the dispute: Should the new Sauk Prairie Recreation Area include a shooting range and space for…
Liberty, Local Government, Planning
Why Plan?
Whitewater’s Planning Commission, I think, has a choice before it: will you establish fair rules by which private parties can engage in entrepreneurial activity, or will you pick and choose who succeeds and fails, at the outset? It’s the oft-repeated distinction between planning for others to compete and planning to control competition. Watching Whitewater’s Planning…
Lifestyle, Local Government, Planning
Town-Gown in Whitewater: What’s the university been doing?
Not enough for town-student relations. Via The University’s Role in Town-Gown Issues @ FREE WHITEWATER.
Lifestyle, Local Government, Planning, Regulations
Town-Gown in Whitewater: Old Whitewater wants students out of the town’s center
< a href="http://freewhitewater.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Poverty_in_Colombia_by_Luis_Perez-600.jpg"> They want students far away, except they’re surrounded by student housing already, and don’t have a credible plan to build more on the edge of the city. Via Old Whitewater Dreams of a Student Rez @ FREE WHITEWATER
Business, Gov. Walker, Planning
It’s gone now
Via Remember When Walker’s Team Deleted Their Big-Font Business Growth Plan? @ The Political Environment .
Planning, Transportation
300 and counting
Watch David Craig Discusses Roundabouts Local Approval Bill on PBS. See more from HERE AND NOW.
Environment, Local Government, Planning
Whitewater’s development gurus fail the city yet again
A company known only to a few, develops an industrial process that the State of Wisconsin won’t even certify, apparently created at a third-tier school far away, using ingredients known to be toxic, with grand financial claims that have no independent verification whatever, and one is supposed to accept it all at face (or stomach)…
Government Spending, Local Government, Planning, Press
Local newspapers might want to consider asking about the cost of a public project when reporting about it
Just sayin’. Via About that story on Whitewater’s East Gateway Proposal: What’s Missing? @ FREE WHITEWATER.
Business, Local Government, Planning
Walmart doesn’t always get its way
It certainly didn’t prevail in Caledonia, after an ad hoc group took ninety minutes of testimony. Via Caledonia Walmart Plans Take a Hit @ Caledonia Patch.
Courts, Law, Planning
Why Wisconsinites can keep suing over the Zoo Interchange Project
US District Court Judge Lynn Adelman rules that plaintiffs can raise economic justice or procedural objections to the state highway planning. Via Ruling On Zoo Interchange Rooted In Earlier Decision, Complaints, Transportation Practices @ The Political Environment.
Planning
Planners dig Smart Growth up, spritz with cologne
Business, Government Spending, Local Government, Planning, Politics
Wauwatosa’s empty promise of ‘innovation’
At best, only crony capitalism; at worst, simply lies and utter waste. Via Cognitive Dissidence.
Crime, Government Spending, Local Government, Planning
Is this what Janesville’s leaders meant by ‘regionalization’?
Gov. Walker, Planning, State Government
Gov. Walker denies planning for carpool toll lanes
Planning
Master plan revealed for downtown Eau Claire
Government Spending, Local Government, Planning
Whitewater Innovation Center Executive Director Admits Building’s ‘Major Accomplishment’ Was Taking $11.5 Million in Public Money
Gov. Walker, Government Spending, Planning, Wisconsin
Thirteen months on, Gov. Walker pushes state intervention in private development
Business, Government Spending, Planning, State Government
Adams: The Spectrum Brands State-backed Deal: Either Shameful Negligence or Shameful Dishonesty
Planning
Packers field goal in final minute brings dramatic victory over Giants
Economy, Employment, Government Spending, Planning, State Government
Walker Admin spends small fortune to create 50 food service jobs
Not free markets, but favored businesses: Crony capitalism courtesy of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. Via WEAU.
Local Government, Planning
GOP aims to end cities’ mandatory “Smart Growth” reports
Free Market, Law, Liberty, Milwaukee, Planning, Regulations
Institute for Justice lawsuit seeks end to Milwaukee’s arbitrary limit on cabs
Fixed number of permits hasn’t changed since 1991; one owner now controls half the cabs in the city. Lawsuit seeks liberalization to benefit consumers and prospective cabbies. Via Anthony Sanders in Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Business, Economy, Lifestyle, Madison, Planning
Citizen Dave: Madison should be a small New York, not a big Richland Center
Theorizes that Madison cannot be anti-growth and remain a progressive city – he’s probably right. Via Citizen Dave at Isthmus | The Daily Page.
Economy, Planning
Downtown Janesville plan goes nowhere
Free Speech, Local Government, Planning
Caledonia Village Board Ousts Outspoken Planning Commissioner
Business, Free Speech, Local Government, Planning
Village of Caledonia seeks to oust plan commission member
He’s not sufficiently pro-development for go-along or go-away village leadership. Via Racine Journal Times.
Business, Economy, Madison, Planning
Madison family farm hit with $194,000 road repair assessment
Animals, Madison, Nature, Planning
After Hundreds of Geese Killed, Others Return to Madison Park
Economy, Federal Government, Planning
John Nichols: Obama makes it clear he’s no socialist
Lifestyle, Planning
Citizen Dave of Madison: The Carmegeddon that wasn’t
Government Spending, Planning
Sheboygan considers $2.7M in corporate welfare
Tax dollars to developers city favors for Taylor Heights shopping center. Via Sheboygan Press.
Animals, Nature, Planning
DNR to hold public deer management forums
Nature, Planning
WI DOT Encourages Corn to Combat Snowdrifts
Conservation, Planning
Recycling Programs Get Trashed
Green programs aren’t the kind of green that wields influence. Via Wisconsin State Journal.