Community and Regional Planning

The CARPC works with Dane County communities, citizens, and stakeholder groups to plan for the orderly development of urban areas, consistent with water quality and environmental protection standards and goals, countywide population forecasts, sewer system cost effectiveness, and the Regional Plan. The Commission has adopted goals and objectives based on the planning-related issues and priorities established over nearly four decades of planning in the region and refined by plan updates. While the CARPC has quasi-regulatory authority related to water quality management, its role regarding the implementation of regional planning goals and objectives is advisory and dependent upon collaboration with other units of government that will support the goals and objectives through their local actions. The Commission supports planning by local governments by monitoring the growth and well-being of the region, providing public information, and facilitating public involvement.

Regional Trends Report
The Regional Trends Report provides an overview of trends in population, development, transportation and water quality. Published annually by the regional planning commission since 1980, this report is designed to provide a picture of some of the physical, social and economic characteristics of Dane County and track changes that can be used to inform about the impacts of planning policies and direct future policy efforts.

Census
As a Census Clearinghouse and State Data Center Affiliate, CARPC acts as a resource for those seeking Census data, and assists the U.S. Census Bureau by acting as a liaison between communities and the Bureau in preparing for the 2010 decennial Census. With the release of 2010 Census data, anticipated in 2012-2013, CARPC will perform additional activities related to updating population forecasts and packaging Dane County data for public information.

Land Use Data
CARPC will conduct a 2010 inventory of Dane County land use in conjunction with the year 2010 census of population. The inventory will involve the use of aerial photography, field review, and use of GIS database producing maps and land use statistics. CARPC also uses land use inventory data, along with census population counts, to develop land demand forecasts for urban service areas. These land demand calculations are updated annually based on the latest annual population estimates provided by the Wisconsin Department of Administration.

Farmland Loss Mitigation
In 2008, the CARPC added a new objective to the Dane County Land Use and Transportation Plan to seek approaches to mitigate farmland loss to urban development. In pursuit of this objective, a workgroup of the CARPC was formed to investigate the facts and issues of farmland loss in Dane County, and to develop potential approaches for the Commission to support the mitigation of farmland loss. Further information about the work of this group can be found. More info

Urban Service Area Amendments
In the review of urban service area amendment requests, CARPC applies the regional planning goals and objectives as identified in the Dane County Land Use and Transportation Plan as updated. These planning goals and objectives are based on the planning-related issues and priorities established over nearly four decades of planning in the region and refined by plan updates. The role of the CARPC in supporting planning goals and objectives is advisory, and depends on collaboration with the local units of governments to implement these goals and objectives through local action. More info