The seven member Plan Commission consists of the two City Councilmembers and five citizens. The Plan Commission is established by State Statutes and reviews items referred from the City Council relating to planning, zoning, and physical development. The commission also prepares and adopts the City's Comprehensive Plan or Master Plan. Except holidays, the Janesville Plan Commission meets the first and third Monday of each month at 6 p.m. Meetings are held in the Council Chambers on the fourth floor of City Hall (18 N. Jackson St.). The public is welcome to attend.

Plan Commission Meetings

Except holidays, the Janesville Plan Commission meets the first and third Monday of each month at 6 p.m. Their meetings are held in the Council Chambers on the fourth floor of City Hall. The public is welcome to attend.

Procedure

At least four members of the seven-member Commission must be present to make up a quorum. A printed agenda lists the Commission's business. The Commission proceeds item by item down the agenda with each item listed read by the Chairperson, followed by a presentation by the Planning Director or members of the staff. As Commission consideration of each item ends, the Commission votes to approve; reject; refer for further study; continue until a later meeting; table; or take other action on the item.

Public Speakers

Anyone may speak on matters of city interest at Commission meetings. No pre-registration is required. During public hearings on a particular subject, the Commission Chair will invite anyone who wishes to speak to the Commission to step forward to the podium and give their name and address and any comments they have relating to the subject being considered.

• Volunteer for this committee 
• View committee materials

Desirable Characteristics and Qualifications for Committee Members (per staff liaison)

• Ability to interpret and reference standards, ordinances, and statutes.
• Ability to construct conditions of approval necessary to meet applicable requirements.
• Open-mindedness.
• Ability to weigh competing individual and community interests.
• Ability to deliberate within a group setting.
• Ability to read and envision two-dimensional plan sets and drawings.
• Ability to maintain awareness of community needs and goals as set forth by City plans and ordinances.
• Applicants from legal, financial, insurance, real estate, lending, engineering, business owner/management, medical, building, contracting, education, architecture, and public administration fields are desirable.

Number of Members

7 Members: 
Council Members (2) 
Citizen Members (5)

Members

Ed Madere
Deb Dongarra
Kathy Voskuil
Sabrina Bowerman
Doug Marklein
Paul Williams, Councilmember
Michael Jackson, Councilmember 

Term of Office

Council Members (1 year) 
Citizen Members (3 years)

Commencement of Term 

First Monday of May each year

Appointment by Whom

Council Members by Council President 
Citizen Members by City Manager 

Approval or Confirmation By...

No confirmation 

Residency Requirements of Citizen Members

Charter Ordinance 2-359 requires residency of members.

Duties & Responsibilities

WI State Statute 62.23(2) and other statutory duties related to planning and zoning.

To What Authority They Report

City Council

When Meetings are Held

First and third Monday of each month when Council does not meet, and on call

Who Calls Meetings

Chairperson

Responsibility for Minutes

Planning Division Staff/Secretary of Commission

Location of Minutes Filed

Planning Division