Once you have made the commitment to planning, you will want to do everything you can to ensure success. One of the most crucial elements to any kind of planning process is public participation. The two primary outcomes of an inclusive public participation process are: • A richer and more comprehensive process that represents a variety of perspectives and opinions. • An increased community commitment to the plan that is eventually developed. If a development is molded based on community input at the onset, there will be fewer challenges farther along the planning process or when it’s time to adopt ordinances. Wisconsin’s new Smart Growth law requires that any comprehensive planning process include significant public input. For now, more information about the law’s requirements, click here.