Neighborhood Planning Process
Questions & Answers

What geographic area is included in the neighborhood planning process?
The planning area is bounded by Highway 30 on the north; N. Thompson Drive on the east, Milwaukee Street on the south, and N. Stoughton Road on the west. 

Who will be involved in developing a neighborhood plan?
Anyone that is a stakeholder-owner, renter or from the business community-is encouraged to participate in the planning process. A cross-section of residents from varying income, age, race and tenure backgrounds will be appointed by the Mayor, with Common Council confirmation, to guide the preparation of the plan.

What is the responsibility of a neighborhood steering committee member? 
The neighborhood steering committee members' role is to identify the major issues facing the neighborhood in the next 3-5 years. They are responsible to oversee the planning process and to solicit neighborhood resident input on the preliminary and final plan recommendations.

Why was the Hiestand Area selected to receive planning services?
The Madison Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Commission designated the neighborhood to receive one year of planning services and two subsequent years of CDBG funding. The neighborhood area was selected based on the percentage of low and moderate-income population residing in the area, the willingness on the part of residents to develop a neighborhood plan, and the past successes of neighborhood-based organizations in executing neighborhood projects.

What is the success rate of other neighborhood plans? 
We want to stress that the first step to success is the preparation of the plan itself. Some of the accomplishments from previous neighborhood plans include: community center in the Allied Drive Neighborhood, tree planting in Vilas Neighborhood, weatherization of single-family, elderly homes in the Bay Creek Neighborhood, and commercial revitalization of the Barrymore Theater and surrounding commercial properties in the Schenk-Atwood Neighborhood.