Planning & Zoning

Vision

• Develop a Town plan for consistent local government decisions on land uses.
• Develop Town plans that benefit and protect
  • The Land & Ground Water (both quantity and quality)
  • Residents' Safety, Health and Welfare
  • All Land Owners
  • The Environment
• Establish and implement joint planning efforts between the Town, the City of Onalaska, the Village of Holmen, the Town of Holland, the School District of Holmen and Lake Onalaska District.
• Provide programs that preserve the open space and the rural quality of life.
• Assess the impacts of proposed developments on the environment, on traffic and roads, on the net tax revenue generated, and on the overall quality of life for residents.
• Implement sound and effective storm water management standards and practices to protect ground water and property.
• Engage in soil and water conservation policies and practices.
• Preserve and protect wetlands and the resources of Lake Onalaska and the Upper Mississippi National Fish and Wildlife Refuge. Work in collaboration with the  United States Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) to protect, enhance, and expand the Refuge.
• Establish and enforce appropriate development density thresholds and locations for agricultural, residential, commercial, and industrial development.
• Employ Smart Growth principles such as those that encourage residential, commercial and light industrial development to be located where a full range of public services (water, sewer, fire, police, HAZMAT, etc.) and adequate transportation systems are available or can be easily extended from existing service areas.