A new smart growth law in Wisconsin,

A new smart growth law in Wisconsin, passed by the state legislature in October 1999, contains two components that specifically promote new urbanist development. The law was written by 1000 Friends of Wisconsin, and requires the University of Wisconsin to develop a model TND ordinance by January 2001. The state legislature will review this model and amend it if need be. All cities, villages, and towns with a population above 12,500 must then adopt ordinances similar to that of the model by January 2002. The ordinance will work parallel to existing ordinances. The law also encourages local officials to approve TNDs by offering them a smart growth dividend, the first of its kind in the country, says Dave Cieslewicz, director of 1000 Friends. The dividend will give communities one credit for every new housing unit built on lots of one-quarter acre or less, and will award bonus credits for construction of affordable housing. This program won’t start until 2005.