What is a Comprehensive Plan?
Every community in Wisconsin is required to have a comprehensive plan, an official document adopted by its governing body that outlines a 20-year vision and sets priorities for the city’s future development. It serves as a roadmap for the city’s growth over the coming decades, addressing future land use decisions, recommended policy updates, and priorities for public investments and capital improvements.
How has Stoughton changed?
Since the last plan update in 2017, Stoughton has continued to grow and evolve as a thriving community in Dane County.
The population has steadily increased, with projections estimating over 14,000 residents by 2040. Development remains strong, with new housing and infrastructure projects in progress to accommodate growth. Demographic shifts have also shaped the community, including a 40% increase in residents over 65 since 2010 and a decline in households with children under 18 by 25% from 2000 to 2021. While the total number of households has grown, the average household size has slightly declined, reflecting broader national trends of smaller households.
Operational Referendum Passed: In April 2024, the Stoughton Area School District successfully passed an operational referendum aimed at addressing budget and supporting the district’s reading and math objectives. These changes highlight Stoughton’s dynamic growth and the need for continued planning to support its evolving population.
What are we focusing on with the update to the Comprehensive Plan?
The updates to Stoughton’s Comprehensive Plan will reflect progress achieved over the past 10 years, integrate up-to-date data and trends, and include new recommendations as necessary. Special focus will be placed on the land use and housing elements, with the plan being restructured into a user-friendly, web-accessible format featuring dashboards or infographics, all in compliance with Wis. Stats. 66.1001.
The subarea planning process will build on the newly established vision and goals of Stoughton’s Comprehensive Plan. It will broaden the geographical coverage of existing corridor plans, address current conditions, and tackle identified issues. This plan will serve as a guiding tool for the City and other stakeholders, fostering future development that strengthens connections to the city core, nearby neighborhoods, and existing businesses.
Why Plan?
Planning for the future of Stoughton requires a thoughtful approach to managing space and resources. This involves addressing factors like population growth, housing needs, transportation systems, economic development, environmental stewardship, and cultural preservation.
Area Plans provide a long-term framework to shape the physical evolution of the community, influencing private development and public infrastructure projects alike. These plans are rooted in established City policies and shaped by community input. Over the next ten years, Area Plans will be developed or updated, ensuring they remain relevant to evolving challenges and priorities.
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