Land Use Plan

Town of Little Rice Coordination Land Use Plan

The Town of Little Rice Coordination Land Use Plan was adopted in response to The Comprehensive Planning Law which was passed as part of the 1999-2001 Wisconsin biennial budget. Although sometimes referred to as the Smart Growth Law, the Comprehensive Planning Law does not actually dictate how or where development will occur. Those decisions are left to local communities. However, because the Comprehensive Planning Law does improve on the amount and quality of communication within and between jurisdictions, it may lead to more informed decisions that result in smart growth.

Comprehensive Planning Law Features

  • Defines a comprehensive plan as containing nine elements:
  • Issues and Opportunities
  • Agricultural, Natural and Cultural Resources
  • Housing
  • Economic Development
  • Transportation
  • Intergovernmental Cooperation
  • Utilities and Community Facilities
  • Land Use
  • Implementation
  • Consistency requirement - Beginning on January 1, 2010, if a local governmental unit engages in official mapping, subdivision regulation, or zoning, those actions must be consistent with that community's comprehensive plan. This will make land use decisions much more predictable.

The Town of Little Rice (the Town) Coordination Land Use Plan (the Plan) has been developed as an outline for guidance of land use. The Plan provides goals and tools to be used in development and growth. It is equally important to the town to protect all citizens' rights and property. The Plan is dynamic and continually evolving requiring periodic review, assessment, and amendment of coordination with all agencies and units of Federal, State, County, and local governments through the process of coordination pursuant to the Resolution. (Refer to Town of Little Rice Resolution No. 01-2009.)

The Town of Little Rice defines Coordination (as set forth in Federal Land Management Policy Act) as defined by the common usage of the word in the Act as the establishment of rank, equal, not subordinate.

The Town has existed and grown as a recreational community through intensive forest management. The Flowages, Lakes, Streams, Rivers, Creeks, and Forest provide a recreational and economic base. This base has been the attraction for both permanent and seasonal residents as well as tourism. It is essential for the Town to not only retain the base but also to responsibly coordinate the use of the natural and recreational resources.

The Coordination Resolution has been adopted to assure citizens of the Town's input in any plan, project and/or opportunity that may affect the Town as well as to address the issues and concerns of town residents. All levels of government and their agencies have been notified to coordinate with the Town. The rights of all land owners must be protected so that they can utilize their properties for individual prosperity. The Town recognizes that individual prosperity is a prerequisite for public prosperity.