Defend Town Plans was born as a citizen protest after Jefferson County (Wisconsin) decided to stop following the comprehensive plans of towns within Jefferson County. This change goes against the county’s own plan, but, more important, it reduces local control. Many people have invested lots of time and money creating comprehensive plans for their towns.

Having the county handle town zoning as our zoning authority is very helpful for small towns with limited resources, but that should not take away local residents' right to have a say about what their town will look and feel like (which happens via comprehensive planning). The state law does seem to intend that towns' comprehensive plans should be enforceable, but towns under county zoning need the county's cooperation for that to happen.

So this website and the appeal result from the change in county policy. This policy change potentially affects all sixteen towns in Jefferson County, as well as towns in other counties that have county zoning.

Defend Town Plans is an unincorporated organization formed to collect funds and organize the appeal of the rezoning. The organization is a plaintiff in the rezoning. You are welcome to become a member; membership does not confer any particular benefits but does convey your support for the appeal. Non-members are also welcome to participate in discussions and meetings.

Questions? Concerns? Comments? Please email us at defendtownplans@gmail.com