The Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC) was formed by the
executive order of Wisconsin governor Gaylord Nelson on 8 August 1960 and
established under Section 66.0309 of the Wisconsin Statutes. Regional Planning
Commissions could perform three functions by law: 1) inventory (“the collection of
information necessary for sound planning”); 2) the creation and implementation of
plans for the physical development of the region; and 3) “the promotion of
intergovernmental cooperation and coordination in addressing cross-boundary
developmental and environmental conflicts” (Paul Hayes, Master Planners: Fifty Years of Regional Planning in Southeastern Wisconsin,
1960-2010).
SEWRPC covers Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth, Washington, and Waukesha
counties. The Commission consists of 21 members, with three commissioners from each
county. For each group of three commissioners, one is appointed by the governor, one
by the county board, and one by the governor from a list provided by the county
board. SEWRPC focuses its attentions on the planning and design of public works
projects, including highways, transit, water supply, and park facilities, as well as
environmental issues such as flooding and pollution. SEWRPC does not focus on social
planning issues, only the physical development of the region. The Commission is not
affiliated with any political party and it does not have the power to enact any of
its plans; it acts solely in an advisory capacity.
