At Civi Tek Consulting we work with municipalities of all sizes to take advantage of new opportunities and tackle sticky problems.
Our team of professional planners blends cross-cutting skills to achieve the needs of our clients.
We are…
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Design Thinkers
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Information Architects
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Collaborators
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Data Wranglers
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Storytellers
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Problem-Solvers
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Digital Technologists
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Map Makers
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Creative Writers
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Strategists
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Consensus Builders
Services
We provide a range of municipal services and excel at crafting land-use regulations that are right-sized and effective.
Consulting
We provide a range of services and team with others to provide elegant solutions to meet our client’s needs.
Peer Review
Our team can provide a second set of eyes to do third-party reviews of reports, plans, regulations and more.
Implementation Support
Short-handed during peak workloads or need a kick-start? We can jump in for a sprint or longer to help implement your plans and programs.
Training
Deep-dive or a refresher, we can structure a session or a multi-part curriculum for your Plan Commissions or Board of Appeals. Sample topics include equity/diversity, ethics, due process and procedural due process, meeting best practices, and effective public participation.
Coaching
Need help creating a playbook or do you have questions? We can help.
Zoning Administration
We serve as an extension of your municipal staff and can provide day-to-day or on-call administration of your land-use regulations.
Digital Solutions
Whether you need a single solution or a system-wide digital transformation, we can get you there.
Graphics
With simple graphics or full-feature illustrations, we bring words to life.
Land-Use Regulations – Our Specialty
Code Re-writes
Often there comes a point when it makes total sense to reimage your land-use regulations. While objectives will vary from place to place, they often revolve around right-sizing, getting the metrics right, streamlining procedures, and making the new code user-friendly.
Code Amendments
Responding to changing circumstances and issues is needed to stay ahead of the curve. Code amendments can entail revisions and whole new sections.
Code Audits
A code audit is just like a visit to your doctor who pokes and prods, asks questions, and takes vital readings. We review existing codes to make sure they are defensible, facilitate desired development, and are easy to use. The intent is to determine the need for a zoning code rewrite and what the new code should look like.
Focus Areas
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Unified Land Development Codes
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Cottage Housing
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Transfer of Development Rights
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Conservation Subdivisions
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Accessory Dwelling Units
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Adaptive Reuse
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Agri-Tourism
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Wireless Communication
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Environmental Protection
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Historic Preservation
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Signs
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Landscaping
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Special Districts
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Short-term Rentals
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Housing Options
Our Approach - It's Different
User First Focus
At Civi Tek, we approach a zoning code rewrite quite different than the rest. We believe a zoning code should be centered on the needs and expectations of the people that will use the code, like a shop keeper.
We think beyond the generic goals of “writing in plain language” and “include tables and illustrations.”
We start with user-focused objectives and then reverse-engineer from there. For example…
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A person should be able to find zoning details about their property in 5 minutes or less (without calling staff).
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A person should be able to find and submit an application for a home occupation in less than 40 minutes.
We reimagine processes and requirements and incorporate digital solutions.
Public Participation
Although the importance of public participation is understood, it takes experience and sensitivity to local conditions to really do it well and in a cost-effective manner. Once a new code or plan is prepared, we want to make it as easy as possible for elected officials to cast an affirmative vote in favor of adoption. For that to happen, they need to feel confident that all the voices have been heard and considered, and that there is a good balance between potentially competing interests.
Equitable Outcomes
When working on land-use regulations and planning documents, we are attuned to the effects they can have on people and will work to create equitable and just outcomes for all.
Work Elements and Budget Allocations
While every project is different, a typical zoning code rewrite project has key components with different levels of effort.
Public
Participation
& Outreach
5-10%
Project
Scoping
5-10%
Diagnostic
Analysis
& Outline
10-15%
Code
Drafting &
Illustrating
55-60%
Legal
Review
3-5%
Internal
Review
& Testing
10-15%
Public
Review &
Adoption
5-10%
Additional
Services
5-8%
Digital Solutions
Display your zoning regulations in an intuitive map-based interface.
Create custom checklist reviews to improve consistency and reduce staff time.
Share your sign regulations in a map-based interface. Think ZoningHub for signs.
Project Sampler
City of Hartford
Zoning Code in partnership with GRAEF
50% Complete
City of Port Washington
Zoning Code in partnership with GRAEF
2024 Kickoff
Outagamie County
Code Audit in partnership with SEH
Completed 2024
Village of Mukwonago
Sign Code
75% Complete
Village of Richfield
Zoning Code
Completed 2022
Village of East Troy
Cottage Housing Ordinance
Completed 2020
Wisconsin Rapids
Zoning Code
Completed 2018
City of Washburn
Zoning Code
Completed 2017
City of Bayfield
Zoning Code
60% Complete
City of Manitowoc
Zoning Code in Partnership with GRAEF
2024 Kickoff
Village of Mukwonago
Zoning Code
80% Complete
Village of Jackson
Zoning Code Audit
Completed 2024
Town of Rome
Zoning Code Audit
Kickoff 2024
City of Manitowoc
Sign Code
Completed 2021
Town of Mukwonago
Zoning Code
Completed 2019
Town of Eagle
Zoning Code
Completed 2017
Winnebago County
Zoning Code
Completed 2011
About
Tim Schwecke is the founder and principal at Civi Tek. He has experience working for consulting firms and in local government as a planning director. Tim started Civi Tek in 2004 to focus on the art and practice of writing land-use regulations to help communities become Smart + Connected.
He also started Civic Webware, a technology firm that works at the intersection of innovative technology and community planning, and created its three flagship solutions – ZoningHub®, Checkbox WizardTM, and Sign NavigatorTM.
Tim has a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (go Badgers) and a BS from the University of Montana (go Griz) and is certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).
Conference Presentations
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Illinois APA Chapter Conference – 2021
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North Carolina APA Chapter Conference – 2021
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Pennsylvania APA Chapter Conference – 2021
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Southern New England APA Conference (SNEAPA) – 2020
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Upstate New York APA Chapter Conference – 2020
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Cross-Chapter Collaborative Conference (AR, KS, LA, NM, OK, TX) – 2020
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Pennsylvania APA Chapter Conference – 2018
Expert Network
By working with national and boutique firms, our team is fully scalable to meet any sized project or multi-disciplinary effort.
