Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code Updates

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The City of Oak Creek began the 2-phase process to update the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code in 2018.  These updates will modernize our City’s blueprint for the future.  The Comprehensive Plan update was followed by an update to the City’s Zoning Code to ensure that Plan recommendations are supported by the land use and development regulations needed to realize the community’s vision.

What is a Comprehensive Plan?

A Comprehensive Plan is the guiding policy document that establishes the  community vision for the next 20 years. Within the Plan are a set of policies that direct future growth and development, and recommendations and potential strategies to assist City leaders with making substantive and thoughtful decisions to achieve the community vision.

What are the contents of a Comprehensive Plan?

The Comprehensive Plan, City of Oak Creek is organized by sections focused on specific topics that are part of land use planning.  Wisconsin Statutes require Comprehensive Plans to address these specific topics in the context of a 20-year vision, and provide a rational basis for local land use decisions.  Each Section of the Plan includes the vision, goals, and objectives for the topic.

Section One provides the purpose, structure, and organization of the Plan.

Section Two establishes the community context by describing the existing conditions of the City, summaries of the community outreach efforts, demographics, and market information. 

Section Three contains the Land Use Plan, with recommendations and policies for housing, neighborhoods, and commercial and industrial uses.

Section Four contains the Transportation and Mobility Plan, which ensures the safe and efficient movement of people of all ages and abilities.

Section Five contains the Parks, Open Spaces, and Environmental Features Plan, which includes recommendations for maintaining and expanding the high-quality natural and cultural amenities and resources within the City.

Section Six contains the Community Facilities and Utilities Plan, highlighting the existing and future needs for the City.

Section Seven contains the Implementation Plan with specific actions and potential funding sources to realize the recommendations of the Plan.

Who is involved in creating the Comprehensive Plan?

Everyone!  Community and staff engagement were critical throughout the entire update process.  Stakeholder interviews with City Departments and local businesses were conducted early in the process to establish the existing conditions of the City, identifying issues and opportunities to be addressed in the Plan.  A Steering Committee that included residents, business owners, the Oak Creek-Franklin Joint School District, MATC, MMSD, and some elected officials was formed to provide feedback on the Sections of the Plan as drafted.  Residents and visitors were encouraged to create their own maps through an online platform that allowed certain pins to be dropped identifying great places and opportunities for improvement within the City.  Children of all ages were invited to build their own Lego city during a community outreach event following the 2019 Tree Lighting Ceremony.  All input received from these outreach efforts were brought to the community during a Visioning Workshop, culminating in the Comprehensive Plan, City of Oak Creek.  The Plan could not be developed without the involvement of these diverse stakeholders. 

Thank you for participating!

Adoption

The Comprehensive Plan, City of Oak Creek was approved and recommended for Common Council adoption by the Plan Commission on January 28, 2020.  The Common Council adopted the Comprehensive Plan, City of Oak Creek on March 3, 2020.

ZONING CODE UPDATE

The process to update the Zoning Code began shortly after the adoption of the Comprehensive Plan, City of Oak Creek.  As part of the community engagement and outreach process, the City is currently soliciting feedback on the Draft Zoning and Sign Ordinance.  We will be accepting public comments through December 31, 2021.  To view the PDF version of the draft, please visit the project website.  Comments can be made using the form below. 

Thank you for your input!

Draft Zoning Ordinance for March 14, 2022 Common Council Meeting

Article 4 - Use Specific Standards, revised March 11, 2022
Article 5 - General Development Standards, revised March 11, 2022

Draft Zoning Ordinance for February 14, 2022 Common Council Hearing

January 2022 Draft for Plan Commission Review

Executive Summary of Proposed Zoning Code Changes

Article 1 - General Provisions
Article 2 - Establishment of Districts
Article 3 - District Specific Standards
Article 4 - Use Specific Standards
Article 5 - General Development Standards
Article 6 - Signs
Article 7 - Planned Unit Development Standards
Article 8 - Administration and Enforcement Standards
Article 9 - Nonconformities
Article 10 - Definitions

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