Advocacy

The committee monitors and provides input to local municipalities on:

Appleton Building Inspection Survey

The Housing Advocacy Committee worked with the City of Appleton to heighten awareness of delays and inconsistencies within the building inspections department regarding application of building codes to new construction and various home improvement projects. This resulted in a survey initiated by the City’s Inspection Department for which the public could provide anonymous feedback regarding both negative and positive experiences. These responses are then used to help in the evaluation of staff performance.

Appleton Special Assessment Policies

The Housing Advocacy Committee was successful in lowering the interest charged to homeowners for deferred special assessments from 9% to a percent that is based upon the prime interest rate at the time of the special assessment. In addition, the Association was successful in advocating that the City of Appleton adopt a policy by which homeowners of new construction would be assessed for costs of road installation rather than being billed by the developer. This allowed for better transfer of information regarding future assessments during real estate transactions as well as providing homeowners the additional option of paying in installments rather than one lump sum. 

NEWSC Model Stormwater Ordinance

The Housing Advocacy Committee worked closely with the Northeast Wisconsin Stormwater Consortium regarding their proposed Model Stormwater Ordinance for communities throughout NE WI. The committee advocated to both NEWSC and participating communities to refrain from adopting provisions that were stricter than the state requirements which would negatively impact private property rights and unnecessarily increase the costs of housing. 

Outagamie County Airport Overlay District

The Housing Advocacy Committee fought against zoning department policy changes that prohibited stormwater ponds within the airport overlay district; advocating for continued used of best management practices for waterfowl deterrents outlined in the FAA manual and utilized by other airports throughout the state of Wisconsin and the country.   

Outagamie County Plat Approval Process

The Housing Advocacy Committee worked with various Outagamie County representatives to develop a framework which more clearly outlined the process and timeline for Outagamie County’s plat approval process. The new policy outlines what benchmarks County staff will be held accountable to, and offers some clarity for those seeking preliminary plat approval regarding what to expect through the process. 

Planning

Reviewing and monitoring communities’ comprehensive plans, zoning and subdivision ordinances.

Wetland/Floodplain Regulation

Members testified at the State Capitol on two bills in the legislature, SB 600 and AB 547.

Workforce Housing

Educating local communities about the need to increase the supply of available housing, as well as the affordability of housing for all income levels, and how local regulations and fees impact the housing supply.