At a recent Menomonie Sunrise Rotary meeting, Dunn County Planner and Zoning Administrator Tammy Traxler provided an update on the county’s Comprehensive Plan, currently in the midst of an 18-month revision process that began in January 2025.

Community Input Drives the Process

Since launching the update, the county has gathered extensive public input:

• 541 responses to an online countywide survey (March–April 2025)
• 710 responses from a direct mailing to farmland owners (September 2025)
• Feedback from cities, villages, and towns
• Focus groups addressing housing, water and natural resources, economic development, agriculture, land use, and village concerns

Traxler emphasized that meaningful public engagement is central to the plan’s success. “This process only succeeds when it reflects real experiences,” she said, describing planning as a snapshot of today’s priorities that shapes the next generation.

Why the Plan Matters

Dunn County’s current Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 2009 and revised in 2016. While state law requires updates at least every 10 years, changing local conditions often necessitate more frequent review.

The Comprehensive Plan serves as a long-term guide for decisions related to: land use, housing development, infrastructure and transportation, economic growth, natural resource protection and recreation/community development. Without a guiding plan, decisions can become reactive and fragmented. Traxler described the Comprehensive Plan as “the quiet rulebook behind our decisions.”

Land Use at the Core

Land use decisions form the foundation of the plan. Choices about where homes are built, farmland is preserved, or commercial areas expand affect school enrollment, road maintenance, emergency services, and environmental protection.

The update process also examines how different levels of local government interact:
Cities and villages operate under home rule authority and manage their own ordinances. Towns are unincorporated and have more limited authority.

In Dunn County, 16 of 22 towns participate in county zoning; six do not, though the county maintains shoreland and floodplain zoning in all unincorporated areas. County planning helps align local plans to prevent conflicts and maintain a cohesive regional vision.

Ongoing Participation Encouraged

The updated document aims to be more accessible and practical—clearly outlining goals, growth areas, and limits to guide decision-making.

The update process remains ongoing, and residents are encouraged to stay involved by:

• Visiting the Comprehensive Plan website
• Attending Planning, Resources and Development Committee meetings (oversee project)
• Contacting the Zoning Office
• Emailing project staff at [email protected]

John Wilkerson is a member of Menomonie Sunrise Rotary.