Chapter 66

66.0307(4m)(a)1. 1. As an alternative to the parties mutually invoking the procedure under this section, a city, village, or town may petition the department for mediation of a cooperative plan under this paragraph.

66.0307(4m)(a)2. 2. A city or village may petition for mediation if all of the following apply:

66.0307(4m)(a)2.a. a. The city or village adopts an authorizing resolution under sub. (4) (a) (intro.) and requests in writing an adjacent town to adopt an authorizing resolution under sub. (4) (a) (intro.) and the town fails to adopt the resolution within 60 days after the request is received by the town.

66.0307(4m)(a)2.b. b. The city or village has adopted a comprehensive plan.

66.0307(4m)(a)3. 3. A town may petition for mediation if all of the following apply:

66.0307(4m)(a)3.a. a. The town adopts an authorizing resolution under sub. (4) (a) (intro.) and requests in writing an adjacent city or village to adopt an authorizing resolution under sub. (4) (a) (intro.) and the city or village fails to adopt the resolution within 60 days after the request is received by the city or village.

66.0307(4m)(a)3.b. b. The town has adopted a comprehensive plan.

66.0307(4m)(b) (b) A municipality that is authorized under par. (a) to petition the department for mediation and elects to do so shall submit the petition within 90 days after the municipality has adopted the authorizing resolution described in par. (a) 2. a. or 3. a. Upon receipt of a petition for mediation, the department shall notify the nonpetitioning adjacent municipality identified in the petition that the petition has been submitted. Within 45 days after receipt of notice from the department that a petition has been submitted, the nonpetitioning municipality shall notify the department whether it agrees to engage in mediation to develop a cooperative plan under this section. Failure of the nonpetitioning municipality to timely notify the department is considered notice that the municipality does not agree to engage in mediation. The department shall send written notice of the nonpetitioning municipality’s decision, on whether it will participate, to the petitioning municipality. If the nonpetitioning municipality refuses to engage in mediation, the petitioning municipality may not submit a petition under this paragraph involving the same nonpetitioning municipality for a period of 3 years after the department sends notice of the refusal.

66.0307(4m)(c) (c)

66.0307(4m)(c)1. 1. If a nonpetitioning town refuses under par. (b) to engage in mediation, the town may not contest any annexation of its territory to the petitioning city or village that is commenced during the shorter of the following periods:

66.0307(4m)(c)1.a. a. The period of 270 days beginning after the town refuses under par. (b) to engage in mediation.

66.0307(4m)(c)1.b. b. The period beginning on the date the town refuses under par. (b) to engage in mediation and ending on the date the town agrees to engage in mediation.

66.0307(4m)(c)2. 2. If a nonpetitioning city or village refuses under par. (b) to engage in mediation, an annexation of territory of the petitioning town to the nonpetitioning city or village that is commenced during the shorter of the following periods shall be reviewed by the department in the manner described under s. 66.0217 (6), regardless of the population of the county in which the annexation proceeding is commenced, and, notwithstanding s. 66.0217 (11) (c), may be contested by the town if the department determines that the annexation is not in the public interest:

66.0307(4m)(c)2.a. a. The period of 270 days beginning after the city or village refuses under par. (b) to engage in mediation.

66.0307(4m)(c)2.b. b. The period on the date the city or village refuses under par. (b) to engage in mediation and ending on the date the city or village agrees to engage in mediation.

66.0307(4m)(d) (d)

66.0307(4m)(d)1. 1. If both the petitioning municipality and nonpetitioning municipality agree to engage in mediation to develop a cooperative plan under this section, the municipalities shall select a mediator. The department may assist the municipalities in selecting a mediator. If the municipalities are unable to agree on the selection of a mediator, the department shall furnish a list of 5 mediators to the municipalities. The municipalities shall alternatively strike a name from the list until one name remains, who shall be the mediator.

66.0307(4m)(d)2. 2. The mediator shall assist the parties through recognized mediation techniques to develop and reach agreement on a cooperative plan under this section. Unless the participating municipalities agree to extend the mediation period, the mediation period expires after 270 days. Unless they agree otherwise, the participating municipalities are equally responsible for the costs of the mediation.

66.0307(4m)(e) (e) Before the participating municipalities engage in mediation under this subsection, each shall adopt a resolution under sub. (4) (a) (intro.) and provide the required notice of the resolution. Notwithstanding sub. (4) (b), if the participating municipalities agree on a cooperative plan under this subsection, a public hearing on the plan shall be held under sub. (4) (b) no sooner than 45 days after agreement is reached and at least 45 days before submitting the plan to the department for review and approval under sub. (5).

66.0307(4m)(f) (f) If any litigation contesting annexation of territory of the petitioning or nonpetitioning town to the city or village is commenced during the 3-year period after the department receives the petition for mediation under par. (b), the judge shall under s. 802.12 (2), unless the nonpetitioning municipality objects, order the parties to select a settlement alternative under s. 802.12 (1) (i) as a means to attempt settlement.

66.0307(5) (5) Department review and approval of local or cooperative plan.

66.0307(5)(a) (a) Generally. The department shall make a written determination of whether to approve a cooperative plan within 90 days after receiving the plan unless the department and the parties to the plan agree to a longer determination period. The department shall consider written comments on the plan received by a municipality under sub. (4) (c) that is submitted to the department under sub. (4) (f) or from any other source. The department may request information relating to the cooperative plan, including any comprehensive plan or land use plan currently being utilized by any participating municipality, from that municipality, and from any county or regional planning commission. The department may seek and consider comments from any state agency on whether the cooperative plan is consistent with state laws and administrative rules under the agency’s jurisdiction. Any state agency requested to comment on a cooperative plan shall comply with the request. The department shall issue its determination of whether to approve the cooperative plan in writing, supported by specific findings based on the criteria under par. (c). The approval or disapproval of a cooperative plan by the department under this section is not a contested case, as defined in s. 227.01 (3), for purposes of ch. 227.

66.0307(5)(b) (b) Hearing. Any person may request a public hearing before the department on a cooperative plan submitted to the department for approval. A request for a public hearing shall be in writing and shall be submitted to the department within 10 days after the cooperative plan is received by the department. If requested, the department shall, and on its own motion the department may, hold a public hearing on the cooperative plan. If requested to hold a public hearing, the department is required to hold only one hearing, regardless of the number of requests for a hearing. Any public hearing under this paragraph shall be held in a municipality that is a party to the cooperative plan.

66.0307(5)(c) (c) Approval of cooperative plan. A cooperative plan shall be approved by the department if the department determines that all of the following apply:

66.0307(5)(c)1. 1. The content of the plan under sub. (3) (c) to (e) is sufficient to enable the department to make the determinations under subds. 2. to 5.

66.0307(5)(c)2. 2. The cooperative plan is consistent with each participating municipality’s comprehensive plan and with current state laws, municipal regulations, and administrative rules that apply to the territory affected by the plan.

66.0307(5)(c)3. 3. Adequate provision is made in the cooperative plan for the delivery of necessary municipal services to the territory covered by the plan.

66.0307(5)(c)5. 5. The shape of any boundary maintained or any boundary change under the cooperative plan is not the result of arbitrariness and reflects due consideration for compactness of area. Considerations relevant to the criteria under this subdivision include quantity of land affected by the boundary maintenance or boundary change and compatibility of the proposed boundary maintenance or boundary change with natural terrain including general topography, major watersheds, soil conditions and such features as rivers, lakes and major bluffs.

66.0307(5)(c)6. 6. Any proposed planning period exceeding 10 years is consistent with the plan.

66.0307(5)(d) (d) Return and resubmittal of plan. The department may return a cooperative plan, with comments, if the department determines that the cooperative plan, if revised, may constitute a plan that can be approved by the department. If a cooperative plan is returned under this paragraph, each participating municipality may revise the plan, as directed by the department, adopt the revised plan by resolution and resubmit the plan to the department within 90 days after the plan is returned. After receiving a resubmitted cooperative plan, the department shall make a determination on approval within 30 days.

66.0307(6) (6) Binding elements of cooperative plan. If a cooperative plan is approved by the department under sub. (5) or an amended plan is approved under sub. (8), provisions in the plan to maintain existing boundaries, the boundary changes in the plan, the schedule for those changes, the plan for delivery of services, including road maintenance, and the schedule for those services are binding on the parties to the plan and have the force and effect of a contract.

66.0307(7) (7) Other boundary procedures.

66.0307(7)(a) (a) Other procedures after hearing. After the joint hearing under sub. (4) (b) is held, no other procedure, except the procedure under s. 281.43 (1m), for altering a municipality’s boundaries may be used to alter a boundary included in the proposed cooperative plan under sub. (3) (d) 1. until the boundary is no longer included in the proposed cooperative plan, the municipality withdraws from the proposed cooperative plan or the proposed cooperative plan fails to receive approval from the department, whichever occurs first.

66.0307(7)(b) (b) Other boundary procedures during the planning period. During the planning period specified under sub. (3) (f), no other procedure for altering a municipality’s boundaries may be used to alter a boundary that is included in the cooperative plan under sub. (3) (d) 1., except if an annexation is conducted under s. 281.43 (1m), regardless of whether the boundary is proposed to be maintained or changed or is allowed to be changed under the plan. After the planning period has expired, the boundary may be altered.

66.0307(7m) (7m) Zoning in town territory.

66.0307(7m)(a) (a) If a town is a party to a cooperative plan with a city or village, the town and city or village may agree, as part of the cooperative plan, to authorize the town, city, or village to enact a zoning ordinance under s. 60.61, 61.35, or 62.23 for all or a portion of the town territory covered by the plan. The exercise of zoning authority by a town under this paragraph is not subject to s. 60.61 (3) or 60.62 (3).

66.0307(7m)(b) (b)

66.0307(7m)(b)1. 1. If a county zoning ordinance applies to the town territory covered by a cooperative plan subject to an agreement under par. (a), that ordinance and any regulations, approvals, and conditions imposed under the ordinance continue in effect until the ordinance or the particular regulation, approval, or condition is specifically changed by official action of the town, city, or village with authority to enact a zoning ordinance under the agreement under par. (a). This subdivision does not expand or modify the authority of a town, city, or village to change a zoning ordinance, any regulation, approval, or condition imposed under a zoning ordinance, or any nonconforming use.

66.0307(7m)(b)2. 2. If a zoning ordinance is enacted under par. (a), that zoning ordinance and any regulations, approvals, and conditions imposed under the ordinance continue in effect after the planning period ceases until the ordinance or the particular regulation, approval, or condition is specifically changed under other applicable law.

66.0307(7m)(c) (c) This subsection does not affect zoning ordinances adopted under s. 59.692 or 87.30 or ch. 91.

66.0307(8) (8) Amendments to cooperative plan.

66.0307(8)(a) (a) Authority to amend plan. A cooperative plan may be amended during the planning period if all the parties to the plan agree to the amendment and if the amendment is approved by the department.

66.0307(8)(b) (b) When full procedure required. An amendment to a cooperative plan that proposes to change a municipality’s boundary or to change the approved planning period shall follow the same procedure as that required for an original plan.

66.0307(8)(c) (c) When expedited procedure may occur. An amendment to a cooperative plan that does not propose to change a boundary or the planning period shall follow the same procedure as that required for an original plan except that the hearing under sub. (4) (b) is not required unless objection to the amendment is made in writing by any person to the clerk of a participating municipality. An amendment under this paragraph shall be adopted by resolution of each of the participating municipalities. Notice of the amendment and adopting resolution shall follow the procedures specified in sub. (4) (a). Notice that the amendment will be submitted directly to the department unless objection is made in writing shall be given by each participating municipality by a class 3 notice under ch. 985. If no written objection to the amendment is received within 7 days after the last required notice is published, the amendment may be submitted directly to the department for approval. If written objection is timely made, the public hearing and other requirements under sub. (4) (b) and (c) apply.

66.0307(9) (9) Court review of department decision. The decision of the department under sub. (5) (c) or (d) or (8) to approve or not to approve a cooperative plan or an amendment to a plan is subject to judicial review under ch. 227.

66.0307(10) (10) Boundary change ordinance; filing and recording requirements. A boundary change under a cooperative plan shall be accomplished by the enactment of an ordinance by the governing body designated to do so in the plan. The filing and recording requirements under s. 66.0217 (9) (a), as they apply to cities and villages under s. 66.0217 (9) (a), apply to municipalities under this subsection. The requirements for the secretary of administration are the same as those required in s. 66.0217 (9) (b).

66.0307(11) (11) Time for bringing action. No action to contest the validity of a cooperative plan under this section or an amendment to a cooperative plan, regardless of the grounds for the action, may be commenced after 60 days from the date on which the department approves the cooperative plan under sub. (5) or the amendment under sub. (8), respectively. No action relating to compliance with a binding element of a cooperative plan may be commenced later than 180 days after the failure to comply.

66.0307 History History: 1991 a. 269; 1993 a. 213, 301, 329, 399; 1995 a. 35, 201, 216, 227; 1997 a. 27, 35; 1999 a. 150 s. 67; Stats. 1999 s. 66.0307; 1999 a. 182 s. 199; 2001 a. 30; 2007 a. 43; 2009 a. 28; 2011 a. 75; 2015 a. 55; 2017 a. 59; 2023 a. 264.

66.0307 Annotation A plan that sets conditions that must be met if a municipality’s boundary lines are to change represents the type of boundary change that sub. (2) (b) and (c) contemplates. City of Mayville v. DOA, 2021 WI 57, 397 Wis. 2d 496, 960 N.W.2d 416, 19-0882.

66.0309 66.0309 Creation, organization, powers and duties of regional planning commissions.

66.0309(1) (1) Definitions. In this section:

66.0309(1)(a) (a) “Governing body” means the town, village or county board or the legislative body of a city.

66.0309(1)(b) (b) “Local governmental units” or “local units” means cities, villages, towns and counties.

66.0309(1)(c) (c) “Population” means the population of a local unit as shown by the last federal census or by any subsequent population estimate under s. 16.96.

66.0309(2) (2) Creation of regional planning commissions.

66.0309(2)(a) (a) A regional planning commission may be created by the governor, or a state agency or official as the governor designates, upon petition in the form of a resolution by the governing body of a local governmental unit and the holding of a public hearing on the petition. If the petition is joined in by the governing bodies of all the local units in the proposed region, including the county board of any county, part or all of which is in the proposed region, the governor may dispense with the hearing. Notice of any public hearing shall be given by the governor by mail at least 10 days in advance to the clerk of each local unit in the proposed region.

66.0309(2)(b) (b) If the governor finds that there is a need for a regional planning commission, and if the governing bodies of local units within the proposed region which include over 50 percent of the population and equalized assessed valuation of the region as determined by the last previous equalization of assessments, consent to the formation of such regional planning commission, the governor may create the regional planning commission by order and designate the area and boundaries of the commission’s jurisdiction taking into account the elements of homogeneity based upon, but not limited to, such considerations as topographic and geographic conformations, extent of urban development, the existence of special or acute agricultural, forestry, conservation or other rural problems, uniformity of social or economic interests and values, park and recreational needs, civil defense, or the existence of physical, social and economic problems of a regional character.

66.0309(2)(c) (c) Territory included within a regional planning commission that consists of one county or less in area also may be included in the creation of a multicounty regional planning commission. The creation does not require that the existing regional planning commission consisting of one county or less in area be terminated or altered, but upon creation of the multicounty commission, the existing commission shall cease to have authority to make charges upon participating local governmental units under sub. (14) and shall adopt a name other than “regional planning commission”.

66.0309(2m) (2m) Limitation on territory. No regional planning commission may be created to include territory located in 3 or more uniform state districts as established by 1970 executive order 22 dated August 24, 1970. Any existing regional planning commission which includes territory located in 3 or more uniform state districts shall be dissolved no later than December 31, 1972.

66.0309(3) (3) Composition of regional planning commissions.

66.0309(3)(a) (a) The membership composition of a regional planning commission which includes a city of the first class shall be as follows:

66.0309(3)(a)1. 1. One member appointed by the county board of each county, part or all of which is initially within the region or is later added.

66.0309(3)(a)2. 2. Two members from each participating county shall be appointed by the governor. At least one appointee shall be a person, selected from a list of 2 or more persons nominated by the county board, who has experience in local government in elective or appointive offices or who is professionally engaged in advising local governmental units in the fields of land-use planning, transportation, law, finance, engineering or recreation and natural resources development. The governor in making appointments under this subdivision shall give due weight to the place of residence of the appointees within the various counties encompassed by the region.

66.0309(3)(b) (b) For any region which does not include a 1st class city, the membership composition of a regional planning commission shall be in accordance with resolutions approved by the governing bodies of a majority of the local units in the region, and these units shall have in the aggregate at least half the population of the region. For the purposes of this determination a county, part or all of which is within the region, shall be counted as a local unit, but the population of an approving county shall not be counted. In the absence of the necessary approval by the local units, the membership composition of a commission shall be determined as follows:

66.0309(3)(b)1. 1. For regions which include land in more than one county par. (a) shall apply.

66.0309(3)(b)2. 2. For regions that include land in only one county, the commission shall consist of the following:

66.0309(3)(b)2.a. a. Three members appointed by the county board.

66.0309(3)(b)2.b. b. Three members appointed by the governing body of each city, village and town in the region having a population of 20,000 or more. If there is no city, village or town having a population of 20,000 or more, the governor shall appoint one member from each city, village or town with a population of 5,000 or more within the region. All governor appointees under this subd. 2. b. shall be persons who have experience in local government in elective or appointive offices or who are professionally engaged in advising local governmental units in the fields of land-use planning, transportation, law, finance or engineering.

66.0309(3)(b)2.c. c. Three members appointed at large by the governor. All governor appointees under this subd. 2. c. shall be persons who have experience in local government in elective or appointive offices or who are professionally engaged in advising local governmental units in the fields of land-use planning, transportation, law, finance or engineering.

66.0309(3)(c) (c) Terms of office for regional planning commission members shall be as follows:

66.0309(3)(c)1. 1. If the composition of the commission is approved by local units under par. (b), the terms shall be as prescribed in the resolutions of approval.

66.0309(3)(c)2. 2. For members of all other commissions the term is 6 years after the initial term. At the first meeting of the commission it shall be determined by lot which of the initial members shall have 2, 4 and 6-year terms, respectively, and each group shall be as nearly equal as may be.

66.0309(3)(d) (d) All regional planning commission members shall be electors of the state and reside within the region.

66.0309(4) (4) Compensation; expenses. A per diem compensation may be paid members of regional planning commissions. This shall not affect in any way remuneration received by any state or local official who, in addition to serving as a state or local official, serves also as a member of the regional planning commission. All members may be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred as members of the commission in carrying out the work of the commission.

66.0309(5) (5) Chairperson; rules of procedure; records. Each regional planning commission shall elect its own chairperson and executive committee and shall establish its own rules of procedure, and may create and fill other offices as it may determine necessary. The commission may authorize the executive committee to act for it on all matters under rules adopted by it. The commission shall meet at least once each year. It shall keep a record of its resolutions, transactions, findings and determinations, which shall be a public record.

66.0309(6) (6) Director and employees. The regional planning commission shall appoint a director and such employees as it deems necessary for its work and may hire such experts and consultants for part-time or full-time service as may be necessary for the prosecution of its responsibilities.

66.0309(7) (7) Advisory committees or councils; appointment. The regional planning commission may appoint advisory committees or councils whose membership may consist of individuals whose experience, training or interest in the program may qualify them to lend valuable assistance to the regional planning commission by acting in an advisory capacity in consulting with the regional planning commission on all phases of the commission’s program. Members of advisory bodies shall receive no compensation for their services but may be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

66.0309(8) (8) Functions, general and special.

66.0309(8)(a) (a)

66.0309(8)(a)1. 1. The regional planning commission may take any of the following actions:

66.0309(8)(a)1.a. a. Conduct all types of research studies, collect and analyze data, prepare maps, charts and tables, and conduct all necessary studies for the accomplishment of its other duties.

66.0309(8)(a)1.b. b. Consistent with the elements specified in s. 66.1001, make plans for the physical, social and economic development of the region, and, consistent with the elements specified in s. 66.1001, adopt by resolution any plan or the portion of any plan so prepared as its official recommendation for the development of the region.

66.0309(8)(a)1.c. c. Publicize and advertise its purposes, objectives and findings, and distribute reports concerning these items.

66.0309(8)(a)1.d. d. Provide advisory services on regional planning problems to the local government units within the region and to other public and private agencies in matters relative to its functions and objectives, and may act as a coordinating agency for programs and activities of local units and agencies as they relate to its objectives.

66.0309(8)(a)2. 2. All public officials shall, upon request, furnish to the regional planning commission, within a reasonable time, available information as it requires for its work. In general, the regional planning commission shall have all powers necessary to enable it to perform its functions and promote regional planning. The functions of the regional planning commission shall be solely advisory to the local governments and local government officials comprising the region.

66.0309(8)(b) (b) The regional planning commission shall make an annual report of its activities to the legislative bodies of the local governmental units within the region, and shall submit 2 copies of the report to the legislative reference bureau.

66.0309(9) (9) Preparation of master plan for region. The regional planning commission shall have the function and duty of making and adopting a master plan for the physical development of the region. The master plan, with the accompanying maps, plats, charts, programs and descriptive and explanatory matter, shall show the commission’s recommendations for physical development and shall contain at least the elements described in s. 66.1001. The regional planning commission may amend, extend or add to the master plan or carry any part or subject matter into greater detail.

66.0309(10) (10) Adoption of master plan for region. The master plan shall be made with the general purpose of guiding and accomplishing a coordinated, adjusted and harmonious development of the region which will, in accordance with existing and future needs, best promote public health, safety, morals, order, convenience, prosperity or the general welfare, as well as efficiency and economy in the process of development. The regional planning commission may adopt the master plan as a whole by a single resolution, or, as the work of making the whole master plan progresses, may by resolution adopt a part or parts of the master plan, any part to correspond with one or more of the elements specified in s. 66.1001. The resolution shall refer expressly to the maps, plats, charts, programs and descriptive and explanatory matter, and other matters intended by the regional planning commission to form the whole or any part of the plan, and the action taken shall be recorded on the adopted plan or part of the adopted plan by the identifying signature of the chairperson of the regional planning commission and a copy of the plan or part of the adopted plan shall be certified to the legislative bodies of the local governmental units within the region. The purpose and effect of adoption of the master plan shall be solely to aid the regional planning commission and the local governments and local government officials comprising the region in the performance of their functions and duties.

66.0309(11) (11) Matters referred to regional planning commission. The officer or public body of a local governmental unit within the region having final authority may refer to the regional planning commission, for its consideration and report, the location or acquisition of land for any of the items or facilities that are included in the adopted regional master plan. Within 20 days after the matter is referred to the regional planning commission or a longer period as may be stipulated by the referring officer or public body, the commission shall report its recommendations to the referring officer or public body. The report and recommendations of the commission shall be advisory only. A state agency may authorize the regional planning commission with the consent of the commission to act for the agency in approving, examining, or reviewing plats under s. 236.12 (2) (ap). A regional planning commission authorized by a local unit on November 1, 1980, to act for the local unit in approving plats may continue to so act until the commission withdraws its consent or the local unit its approval. A local unit may authorize a regional planning commission, with the consent of the commission, to conduct an advisory review of plats.