ECWRPC Receives Statewide Recognition

On June 12, 2014, the East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission accepted a statewide award from the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA-WI) for its previous work in the Village of Kimberly. The community-based visioning and planning efforts for the 98-acre former NewPage Mill site led to the development and adoption of the master redevelopment plan for “The Cedars at Kimberly”, a proposed mixed-use, urban village concept which boasts access to nearly a mile of shoreline along the southern banks of the Fox River.

The Cedars at Kimberly Parkway Perspective

The two years of intense community visioning and planning work was cited by APA-WI for its originality, innovation, quality and transferability, as well as its unique methods of gathering public input as part of the community planning process. Melissa Kraemer-Badtke, Executive Director stated that “from the beginning, community and resident input was a major emphasis for the project, and the finished product is a direct result of the ideas and feedback gathered along the way.”

The public/private partnership formed to work on the plan was another unique and innovative aspect of The Cedars at Kimberly. “The Village of Kimberly was really in the driver’s seat from the onset”, Fowle said, “and they took the time to work with site’s owner, AIM Development, and their local development consultant, Stadtmueller & Associates to ensure that appropriate attention was paid up-front to the ideas, concerns, and opportunities of nearby residents.”

The Cedars at Kimberly E. Charles St. Perspective

The project began with three neighborhood workshops, which used hands-on mapping, worksheets, visual preference surveys, and other small group exercises to gather community input. Along the way, other feedback opportunities were offered through meetings, open houses, and information found on the Village’s website. In total, nearly 300 individuals assisted in developing a vision that will breathe new life into the former manufacturing facility site.

The outcome of all these efforts led to the crafting of “The Cedars at Kimberly” Master Plan which focused on creating a compact, walkable, mixed-use neighborhood. Dave Kress, a Planner with East Central who was heavily involved in the effort stated that “the concepts and recommendations included in this plan also aim to introduce development techniques and styles – such as green infrastructure and low-impact development – that are rarely utilized in the region today.”

The Cedars at Kimberly Master Plan

The award was presented as part of the APA-WI’s Annual Conference during a lunchtime ceremony on June 12th, 2014 at the Monona Terrace Convention Center in Madison, Wisconsin.

The Village of Kimberly was provided this planning assistance from East Central at no cost due to Outagamie County’s membership in the organization. East Central was established in 1972 and provides regional planning and technical assistance services to seven member counties and their communities on multi-jurisdictional planning issues. In addition, the Commission also administers and coordinates several state and federally required planning programs related to transportation, sewer service, and economic development. One of nine regional planning commissions within the State of Wisconsin, East Central is comprised of 28 local government and Governor appointed citizen representatives that serve either a two or four year term, respectively.