"Up North" - A Land Use Planning Simulation
Grade Levels: 9-12 | Five class periods |
Description:
What do we do when there is not a consensus on what the common good is? How should we the people decide? Who should make the decision? How should the decision be made? In this activity students take on the role of various community and individual interests to address the issue of land use planning. The focus is on a lake area "up north" which is relatively undeveloped. The area lies in the fictitious town of La Follette in Lapham County.
Political Science and Social Studies Performance Standards from the Wisconsin Model Academic Standards for Social Studies:
C.12.8 Locate, organize, analyze, and use information from various sources to understand an issue of public concern, take a position, and communicate the position.
C.12.9 Identify and evaluate the means through which advocates influence public policy.
C.12.10 Identify ways people may participate effectively in community affairs and the political process.
Evidence - Students can:
- Demonstrate understanding of land use zones, plans, maps, and criteria.
- Identify and explain criteria of various interest groups related to land use planning.
- Evaluate various land use plans.
- Advocate for a particular land use plan.
- Identify and explain reasonable criteria for determining land use.
- Develop and support generalizations about the deliberative process in making public policy decisions.
Concepts/Key Ideas:
- The Common Good
- Property rights
- Identifying and Using Criteria
- Deliberation
- Consensus-building
- Land Use Planning/Maps/Zones
- Advocacy
Possible Generalizations:
- Compromise is part of the political process.
- Citizens must learn to balance their individual interests with the common good.
- The political process involves negotiating among the interests of various community members, and to work together to transform individual wishes into shared goals.
- A balance between the common good and individual freedoms (property rights) is a goal of public policy and the political process.
Instructional Strategies:
- Interactive lecture
- Cooperative group work
- Deliberative group work, compromise and consensus building
- Oral presentation
- Advocacy
- Written report
Instructional Activity:
The lesson begins with an interactive lecture on land use and land use planning. There are a number of resources available on this topic. Students should be familiar with the concept of land use zones, a land use map, a master land use plan, and some of the issues related to development, particularly lake development "up north," before beginning the group activity.
Next, students are assigned to (or choose) one of five special interest groups seeking to influence the making of the town's master land use plan. The students meet in these special interest groups to review their goals and priorities, and to draw up a land use planning map that best meets those goals and priorities.
Next, the teacher as town chair appoints five advisory planning groups to help draw up the final land use map. Each advisory group has a member from each of the five special interest groups. These planning groups then deliberate and compromise until they reach consensus on a final land use map.
Then the town chair holds a public hearing at which each of the advisory planning groups presents its map. Following the presentations, an open-microphone session allows citizens (students) to comment on any of the maps. When doing so they base their comments on their personal beliefs rather than on their interest group roles.
Finally, as an assessment, each student prepares an individual plan and map. The individual plan must identify and defend at least three criteria that should be used by public officials in determining a land use plan. The map should reflect these criteria.
A follow-up discussion should focus on observations and generalizations of the students.
Materials and Handouts:
- Overhead transparencies of map for each planning group
- Overhead marker pens for each planning group
- Crayons or colored pencils for each student
- 8 x 11 maps (3 per student, plus extras for group working copies)
- 14 x 17 maps for final group maps (5 - one per planning group)
- Special Interest Group Task Sheet (1 each)
- Individual Assessment (1 each)
Day 1
Conduct an interactive lecture on land use, land use planning, and property rights. Introduce the activity. Brainstorm a list of possible criteria that could be used by public officials in determining land use. Discuss possible goals of various interest groups.
Day 2
Have students choose one of five special interest groups, based as much as possible on personal interest, or assign interest group roles. Distribute the Special Interest Group Task Sheets and have them complete the tasks. All students should make a copy of their group's special interest group map.
Day 3
As the town chair, tell students you are appointing citizen advisory committees to help formulate a final master land use plan for the town of La Follette. Jigsaw the students into these new groups, called planning groups, with at least one member of each special interest group in each planning group. Have planning groups come up with a plan, trying for consensus, but at least by majority vote. Encourage deal making by groups that have similar goals. Planning group should complete a large map and an overhead. All students should make a copy of their planning group's map as well.
Day 4
Conduct a public hearing at which the planning groups present their plans. Follow this with an open microphone session and encourage students to speak about the plans they like. Arrange the room accordingly. Finally, conduct a secret ballot for the best land use map.
Assign the Land Use Planning Assessment. The due date should be after the completion of the activity. Adapt it to the age level of your students.
Day 5
Conduct a follow-up discussion. Ask for observations and generalizations. Focus on the process by which public policy is made, the importance of taking the various points of view into account, the function of compromise, the role of politics, etc. If time permits, have students return to their special interest groups to evaluate the planning group maps and determine how well their group did in meeting their goals.
Possible Criteria for Determining Land Use
Does the Land Use Plan . . .
- Have sufficient conservancy?
- Take the growth of the town into consideration
- . Provide job opportunities for now and in the future?
- . Provide for adequate hunting grounds?
- Provide for adequate recreational opportunities?
- Protect the rights of property owners?
- Protect the lakes from over-development?
- Allow for future agricultural land?
- Promote an aesthetically pleasing environment?
- Provide for a mix of land uses?
- Provide for economic growth?
- Provide affordable residential property?
- Provide for tourism?
- Take into account the environmental impact?
- Take into account the economic impact?
- Address the needs of future generations?
Town of La Follette Master Land Use Plan
Special Interest Group Task Sheet
Chamber of Commerce Representative
You represent the local business community. Your priority is having a strong economy for the area. There are many economic opportunities for residents of the area if development and tourism are encouraged. You also realize that the area could become overdeveloped and would not want that either. You believe economic development is achievable while still keeping the natural beauty that draws people to northern Wisconsin. A strong economy will not only bring in the tourists, it will ensure that residents will be able to remain in the area and raise families here. In other words, there will be good paying jobs in the future.
Your priorities are:
- Future commercial and residential development near town and near the lakes.
- Commercial development on the lakes: resorts, restaurants
- Recreational development on the lake: a boat landing, public beach and park
- Residential development on the lake: a mix of R-10, R-5, and R-2
- Large scale commercial development near town: theme park or mall
You are strongly opposed to:
- Large portions of the lake tied up in conservancy
- Large areas put into environmental corridor and agriculture. Some is OK.
Task
- Create a land use plan of the area on the map using the zones below.
- Color code the map and include a key.
- Include future roads.
- Assume the following:
- Town is already zones residential with commercial along the main streets.
- The current residential zoning on the lake is R-10.
- It is against state law to build a road or building on wetland.
Zones
| C = | Conservancy: no development, no roads.
Motorless recreational trails okay. |
| EC = | Environmental corridor: roads and trails okay.
No buildings. |
| A = | Agricultural |
| REC = | Recreational Land: public beach and/or park |
| R-1 = | Residential 1 acre minimum |
| R-2 = | Residential 2 acre minimum |
| R-3 = | Residential 2 acre minimum |
| R-5 = | Residential 2 acre minimum |
| R-M = | Residential multifamily: apartments and/or condominiums |
| C-1 = | Light Commercial: shops and/or restaurants |
| C-2 = | Large Commercial: malls and/or theme parks |
| 1 = | Industrial: factory |
Town of La Follette Master Land Use Plan
Special Interest Group Task Sheet
Local Residents
You represent the local residents of the town and surrounding area. You want to see a land use plan that allows for the economic growth of the community but are concerned about over-development. You would like to see a public beach on one of the lakes, and room for residential and business growth near town. You would like to see some affordable lots made available on the lake. At the same time, you would not like to see any large-lot residential zones or commercial zones on the lakes. You don't want the lakes taken over by "weekenders."
Your priorities are:
- Moderate growth in the community, both residential and commercial
- R-1 residential zones established on the lake
- Recreational development on the lake: a boat landing, public beach and park
- Keeping as much of the current farm land in agriculture as possible
- Some conservancy area on the lakes so they don't become over-developed
You are strongly opposed to:
- Large lot size (R-5 and R-10) residential development on the lake
- Large scale commercial development near town: theme park or mall
Task
- Create a land use plan of the area on the map using the zones below.
- Color code the map and include a key.
- Include future roads.
- Assume the following:
- Town is already zones residential with commercial along the main streets.
- The current residential zoning on the lake is R-10.
- It is against state law to build a road or building on wetland.
Zones
| C = | Conservancy: no development, no roads.
Motorless recreational trails okay. |
| EC = | Environmental corridor: roads and trails okay.
No buildings. |
| A = | Agricultural |
| REC = | Recreational Land: public beach and/or park |
| R-1 = | Residential 1 acre minimum |
| R-2 = | Residential 2 acre minimum |
| R-3 = | Residential 2 acre minimum |
| R-5 = | Residential 2 acre minimum |
| R-M = | Residential multifamily: apartments and/or condominiums |
| C-1 = | Light Commercial: shops and/or restaurants |
| C-2 = | Large Commercial: malls and/or theme parks |
| 1 = | Industrial: factory |
Town of La Follette Master Land Use Plan
Special Interest Group Task Sheet
Friends of Nature
You represent both those people in the area and throughout the state who believe that what makes Northern Wisconsin unique is its natural beauty, and the wildlife and peace and quiet that come with it. You believe as much land as possible should be preserved in the natural state. You support modest development in town, but beyond that, farmland should remain in agriculture and natural land should remain natural.
Your priorities are:
- Remainder of undeveloped lake area in conservancy
- Forest area in conservancy and environmental corridor
- Agricultural zone between town and conservancy area of forest and lakes
- Moderate growth near town, both residential and light commercial
You are strongly opposed to:
- Any further residential area on lakes or any commercial development on lakes
- Large scale commercial development near town: theme park or mall.
Task
- Create a land use plan of the area on the map using the zones below.
- Color code the map and include a key.
- Include future roads.
- Assume the following:
- Town is already zones residential with commercial along the main streets.
- The current residential zoning on the lake is R-10.
- It is against state law to build a road or building on wetland.
Zones
| C = | Conservancy: no development, no roads.
Motorless recreational trails okay. |
| EC = | Environmental corridor: roads and trails okay.
No buildings. |
| A = | Agricultural |
| REC = | Recreational Land: public beach and/or park |
| R-1 = | Residential 1 acre minimum |
| R-2 = | Residential 2 acre minimum |
| R-3 = | Residential 2 acre minimum |
| R-5 = | Residential 2 acre minimum |
| R-M = | Residential multifamily: apartments and/or condominiums |
| C-1 = | Light Commercial: shops and/or restaurants |
| C-2 = | Large Commercial: malls and/or theme parks |
| 1 = | Industrial: factory |
Town of La Follette Master Land Use Plan
Special Interest Group Task Sheet
Northern Waters Development Group
You represent area real estate developers that believe in the benefits of large-scale development in the area. You believe that tourism can provide good jobs and economics security for area residents. You strongly believe large-scale development can occur without it becoming another Wisconsin Dells. You would like to see a water park on a lake, a theme park, and a mall near town. You feel preserving the land, except the marsh, in a natural state would be a mistake.
Your priorities are:
- Large commercial zone of a water park on a lake, a theme park, and a mall in town
- Light commercial development on the lakes: resorts, shops, and restaurants
- Condominum developments on the lake
- Large scale commercial development near town: theme park or mall
- A mix of residential zones near town
You are strongly opposed to:
- Any conservancy on the lake, except for the marsh.
- Large environmental corridor and agriculture zones.
Task
- Create a land use plan of the area on the map using the zones below.
- Color code the map and include a key.
- Include future roads.
- Assume the following:
- Town is already zones residential with commercial along the main streets.
- The current residential zoning on the lake is R-10.
- It is against state law to build a road or building on wetland.
Zones
| C = | Conservancy: no development, no roads.
Motorless recreational trails okay. |
| EC = | Environmental corridor: roads and trails okay.
No buildings. |
| A = | Agricultural |
| REC = | Recreational Land: public beach and/or park |
| R-1 = | Residential 1 acre minimum |
| R-2 = | Residential 2 acre minimum |
| R-3 = | Residential 2 acre minimum |
| R-5 = | Residential 2 acre minimum |
| R-M = | Residential multifamily: apartments and/or condominiums |
| C-1 = | Light Commercial: shops and/or restaurants |
| C-2 = | Large Commercial: malls and/or theme parks |
| 1 = | Industrial: factory |
Town of La Follette Master Land Use Plan
Special Interest Group Task Sheet
Second Home Owners Association
You represent the people who have built spacious beautiful homes for weekend and summer use on the lake. You enjoy the natural beauty of the lakes and do not want to see them overdeveloped. You do not want more residential or any commercial zones on the lakes. You would like to see more residential and commercial development in town, as well as maintaining the farmland in the area.
Your priorities are:
- Remainder of undeveloped lake area in conservancy
- Forest area in conservancy and environmental corridor
- Light commercial development near town
- Additional residential zone near town
- Keeping much of the current farmland in agriculture
You are strongly opposed to:
- Any public boat landing, beach, or park on the lake
- Large scale commercial development near town: theme park or mall.
Task
- Create a land use plan of the area on the map using the zones below.
- Color code the map and include a key.
- Include future roads.
- Assume the following:
- Town is already zones residential with commercial along the main streets.
- The current residential zoning on the lake is R-10.
- It is against state law to build a road or building on wetland.
Zones
| C = | Conservancy: no development, no roads.
Motorless recreational trails okay. |
| EC = | Environmental corridor: roads and trails okay.
No buildings. |
| A = | Agricultural |
| REC = | Recreational Land: public beach and/or park |
| R-1 = | Residential 1 acre minimum |
| R-2 = | Residential 2 acre minimum |
| R-3 = | Residential 2 acre minimum |
| R-5 = | Residential 2 acre minimum |
| R-M = | Residential multifamily: apartments and/or condominiums |
| C-1 = | Light Commercial: shops and/or restaurants |
| C-2 = | Large Commercial: malls and/or theme parks |
| 1 = | Industrial: factory |
Land Use Planning Assessment:
You have been appointed a member of the Town of La Follette planning commission. You must decide what the final land use map will look like. There are a variety of opinions on what should be done. Various plans have been proposed. There are those that see the natural environment being irreparably harmed by development. Then there are those who see development and tourism as the best way to keep the local economy strong and feel that there is a way to accommodate growth and still protect the environment. Still others feel that as property owners they should have the right to develop their property as they see fit and should not be told by government how it can or can't be developed. You need to do the following:
- Identify, justify, and prioritize three to five criteria that the planning commission should use in determining the final land use map.
Format:
- Title: Criteria for Land Use Planning
- State in a sentence the most important criteria.
- Skip a line, then justify in a paragraph why this is the most important criteria. You may use outside sources to support your reasoning.
- Skip a line, go onto the next criteria, and repeat.
The criteria for this part are:
- How reasonable are the criteria?
- How well are the chosen criteria justified?
- Complete a land use map that reflects those criteria. Be sure it is color-coded and has a key. Label the map "Planning Commission Map." Attach your special interest group map and planning group map. Label these accordingly.
The criteria for evaluating this part are:
- How well does the map reflect the criteria chosen?
- Write an analytical essay: The thesis of the essay is the relationship between the common good and individual rights in determining public policy. Using the land use activity as an example, discuss how public policy must balance individual freedoms and the common good.
The criteria for evaluation this part are:
- Is an understanding of the concept of the common good adequately demonstrated?
- Is an understanding of the concept of property rights adequately established or demonstrated?
- Does the work satisfactorily demonstrate the relationship between individual rights and the common good when making public policy?
CONTACT: Michael George, -- phone 608-266-2364
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For questions about this information, contact Beth E. Ratway (608) 266-2207
Last updated on 2/25/2008 1:42:55 PM
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