The Adopted Plan
The complete Medford Comprehensive Plan 2045 can be viewed here:
Medford Comprehensive Plan 2045
The City of Medford adopted its updated Comprehensive Plan on June 23, 2025. This plan serves as a strategic guide for the community’s growth and development over the next 20 years. It identifies key issues, opportunities, and needs, and organizes public policy to address them in a way that maximizes the use of City resources. The plan is a critical tool for both elected officials and City staff, providing a foundation for local land use decisions and long-term planning.
While the Comprehensive Plan focuses on land use, it also addresses a wide range of community priorities, including:
Transportation
Utilities
Community facilities
Housing
Agriculture
Natural and cultural resources
Economic development
Intergovernmental coordination
This 2045 update builds on previous plans adopted in 2008 and 2014, ensuring that the City’s vision remains current and responsive to evolving needs.
Why Update the City’s Comprehensive Plan?
Under Wisconsin law, municipalities that regulate land use through zoning and subdivision ordinances are required to adopt and maintain a Comprehensive Plan. These plans must be updated at least once every 10 years to remain compliant and relevant.
Community Participation
The 2045 Comprehensive Plan was shaped by extensive community input. The City provided multiple opportunities for residents, stakeholders, and business owners to share their perspectives:
Home & Business Expo – March 23, 2024
Community Survey – March 22 to July 13, 2024
Stakeholder Interviews – April to May 2024
Draft Plan Open House – February 13, 2025
Public Hearing – June 8, 2025
Key Highlights of the Plan
Vision and Purpose
The plan sets a 20-year vision for Medford, guiding growth, development, and public investment through 2045
It emphasizes sustainability, inclusivity, and community engagement, shaped by extensive public input including surveys, workshops, and stakeholder interviews.
Housing
Promote diverse, affordable housing options including senior living, duplexes, townhomes, and accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
Encourage infill development and redevelopment of underutilized properties.
Support zoning changes to allow for more flexible housing types and densities.
Transportation
Expand pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, including a future bike/pedestrian path system.
Improve sidewalk connectivity, especially near schools and parks.
Explore alternative transportation modes like shared bikes, scooters, ATVs, and golf carts.
Utilities, Facilities & Services
Extend utilities to support future development.
Maintain high-quality parks and recreational facilities.
Address staffing shortages in police, fire, and EMS through incentives and partnerships.
Promote broadband expansion and emergency preparedness.
Environmental & Cultural Resources
Protect natural resources, floodplains, and wetlands.
Preserve historic downtown and cultural assets.
Encourage green infrastructure and stormwater management practices.
Explore weed control and dredging options for Millpond.
Economic Development
Strengthen downtown as a vibrant, mixed-use district.
Redevelop blighted sites like the former Kmart and underutilized industrial areas.
Support workforce development, entrepreneurship, and tourism.
Use tools like TIF, grants, and zoning updates to attract investment.
Intergovernmental Cooperation
Collaborate with Taylor County, nearby towns, and state agencies on shared services, infrastructure, and planning.
Explore boundary agreements and shared staffing for EMS and fire services.
Land Use & Growth Management
Promote compact, walkable development patterns.
Prioritize infill and redevelopment over sprawl.
Update zoning to align with the Future Land Use Map.
Plan for strategic annexation to support industrial and residential growth.
Implementation & Monitoring
Includes a detailed Implementation Priority Guide with annual, 4-year, 5-year, and 10-year strategies.
Emphasizes transparency, public involvement, and regular plan updates.
Encourages alignment of zoning and development decisions with the plan’s goals.