In 1991 the City of Madison created a task force to examine the potential and feasibility of creating community centers and a neighborhood-based service delivery system. The Joint Community Centers Task Force, comprised of City, County, School District, private sector and community representatives, recommended as part of its report, the division of the City into planning council areas and the creation of a pilot Northside Planning Council as soon as possible. Planning councils were envisioned by the City as a neighborhood-based and coordinated approach to neighborhood organizing, information sharing, issue advocacy and promotion of community development initiatives.

In September 1992, the chief executives of the City of Madison, Dane County, Madison Metropolitan School District, United Way of Dane County, and the Madison Community Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding creating the Northside Planning Council. Since its initial formation in March 1993, the Northside Planning Council has developed and refined its mission, commitments and role; organized and expanded its membership; and changed its geographic boundaries. The Council currently has membership from north side neighborhoods and 1 business association, plus several at-large members. It is staffed by a full time facilitator and part time support staff. The Council will receive $47,890 from the City in 2001 to support general planning activities, administrative needs, and neighborhood organizing initiatives, and also receives funding support from Dane County.

A second planning council, the South Metropolitan Planning Council, was founded in mid 1996, with the support of the City, Dane County, Town of Madison, United Way, School District and the Community Foundation. Since its initial formation, the South Metropolitan Planning Council has developed and refined its mission; created a number of special focus subcommittees; organized and expanded its membership; and given special attention to economic development. The Council currently has membership from south metropolitan neighborhoods (both City and Town), 1 business association and 1 member from the Town of Madison. It is staffed by a full time facilitator. The Council will receive $37,050 from the City and approximately $13,000 from the Town in 2001 to support general planning activities, administrative needs and community organizing initiatives. The Council has also recently received a special $22,000 grant from the City to support an economic development planning process in the Park Street corridor.

A third planning council, the East Isthmus Neighborhoods Planning Council, organized and developed in 1999 and was formally recognized by the City of Madison on February 15, 2000. The East Isthmus Neighborhoods Planning Council has developed its mission, membership and organizational by-laws. The Council has an initial membership from east isthmus neighborhoods and 2 business associations, plus several at-large representatives. The Council will receive $30,000 from the City in 2001 to support general planning activities, administrative needs, and neighborhood organizing initiatives, and also receives funding from the United Way, the Community Foundation and other private sources.