Western Wisconsin Planning Officials Asking for Community Input

Western Wisconsin residents are being asked to share their thoughts on long-term community planning and transportation goals in the region.

Dunn County officials are currently beginning the process of updating their 20 year comprehensive plan. The long-term plan covers everything local residents could think of, from housing and transportation to land use and natural resources.

The comprehensive land use plan is updated every few years to better reflect the needs of the community. The current plan covers from 2010 to 2030, and was last updated in 2016 to include the Farmland Preservation Plan. Dunn County and the West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission will spend about 18 months developing the plan after receiving input from residents.

The comprehensive plan will not serve as a requirement for the county, but will be used to guide decision making from local officials.

Chippewa County is also asking residents to contribute to their transportation safety study. According to a Leader Telegram report, the Chippewa County Highway Department is using $50,000 in grant funding to study dangerous intersections and crossings in the area. They’re asking residents to note dangerous roadways in an interactive map on their website.

Western Wisconsin residents are also being asked for input on long range transportation plans in the region. The Chippewa-Eau Claire Metropolitan Planning Organization is currently conducting a survey on common transportation methods and the overall quality of area roadways. The survey will also ask residents for input on plans for a potential rail corridor between Eau Claire and the Twin Cities.

An information open house on the plans will be held in Chippewa Falls on March 11th. The organization’s long range transportation plan is updated every five years, with this survey being used to update the plan beginning in 2026.