Comprehensive Planning and Land Use

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Questions and Answers

What is the first phase of the comprehensive plan process?

Drafting the Plan
Research and Analysis (correct)
Goal Setting
Adoption

What distinguishes a comprehensive plan from a unified development ordinance?

A unified development ordinance sets long-term goals.
A comprehensive plan serves as a guiding document. (correct)
A comprehensive plan includes zoning regulations.
A comprehensive plan is more regulatory in nature.

Which of the following is a criticism of Euclidean zoning?

It consolidates zoning regulations.
It encourages urban sprawl. (correct)
It promotes mixed-use development.
It reduces reliance on public transportation.

What component of a zoning ordinance provides definitions for land use categories?

Zoning classifications (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which tool is commonly used in capital investment planning to fund infrastructure projects?

Tax increment financing (TIF) (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the 'Review and Public Input' phase in the comprehensive planning process?

To gather feedback from citizens and stakeholders. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is typically included in the text of a zoning ordinance?

Enforcement procedures (C) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of comprehensive plans, what does 'Implementation and Monitoring' refer to?

Putting the plan's policies into action. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of planners in decision-making?

They advise decision-makers and influence outcomes. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does mobility refer to in urban planning?

The ease of moving people and goods within a city. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the last mile problem in transit?

The challenge of getting users from a transit stop to their destination. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does road capacity refer to?

The maximum number of vehicles a road can handle. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How is net payoff defined in planning?

Total benefits of a project minus its costs. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What leads to structural unemployment?

Mismatch between workforce skills and industry demands. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What primarily distinguishes economic growth from economic development?

Economic growth focuses on financial returns, while economic development involves community well-being. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does the level of service (LOS) grading system assess?

Quality of traffic flow on a roadway. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary effect of political risk in public policy decisions?

It represents the uncertainty of policy changes due to political shifts. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes urban sprawl?

The uncontrolled expansion of urban areas leading to various issues. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does the legal concept of police powers allow local governments to do?

Enforce zoning ordinances for health, safety, and welfare. (B) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of Kelo v. New London, what did the U.S. Supreme Court rule regarding eminent domain?

Eminent domain may be applied if it is deemed a 'public use'. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How must government regulations balance individual rights and public interest?

Regulations must serve a legitimate public purpose and may require compensation for excessive burdens. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What role does federal involvement typically take in urban planning?

Federal government usually provides funding or mandates for large-scale projects. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why might property owners absorb economic losses without compensation?

Only substantial regulatory takings warrant compensation. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What are potential roles of a planner in urban development?

Serve as technical experts, mediators, or advocates. (B) Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Comprehensive Planning

The typical comprehensive plan process involves research, goal setting, plan drafting, public input, adoption, and implementation with monitoring.
Comprehensive plans are overarching guiding documents, while unified development ordinances (UDO) focus on specific regulatory measures.
UDOs consolidate various land development regulations into a single document.

Land Use

Euclidean zoning separates land uses into distinct zones, which can be criticized for contributing to urban sprawl and limiting mixed-use development.
A zoning ordinance includes a map, text, classifications, and enforcement procedures.
Financial tools like bonds, TIF, and public-private partnerships can fund infrastructure investments for cities.
Urban sprawl can lead to increased traffic, loss of green space, and higher infrastructure costs.
Political risk refers to instability in planning due to changes in political decisions.

The Legal Basis for Planning

Government uses police powers to regulate land use through zoning ordinances.
Local governments have land use authority, but must align their actions with state legislation.
The government compensates for regulatory takings, but smaller economic losses are usually borne by property owners.
Eminent domain allows the government to acquire private property for economic development, as ruled in the Kelo v. New London case.
Balancing public interest with private property rights is crucial in resolving conflicts between individual rights and government regulations.

Planning and Politics

Planners act as technical experts, mediators and advocates, but they do not hold ultimate authority.
Planners provide recommendations, but final decisions rest with elected officials or appointed boards.

Transportation

Mobility refers to the ease of moving people and goods within a city.
The last mile problem in transit refers to the challenge of connecting transit stops to final destinations.
Road capacity is the maximum number of vehicles a road can handle, while Level of Service (LOS) grades the quality of traffic flow.

Economic Development

Net payoff in planning is the total benefit minus the cost of a project, considering financial, social, and environmental impacts.
Structural unemployment occurs when there is a mismatch between the skills of the workforce and the demands of the economy.
Economic growth measures increases in economic output, while economic development focuses on improving community well-being in multiple dimensions.