Midterm PA 3377 Review PDF

1. Comprehensive Plan a. Describe the phases of the comprehensive plan process: The comprehensive plan process typically includes: ○ Research and Analysis: Collecting data on current land use, housing, transportation, demographics, and environmental concerns. ○ Goal S...

1. Comprehensive Plan a. Describe the phases of the comprehensive plan process: The comprehensive plan process typically includes: ○ Research and Analysis: Collecting data on current land use, housing, transportation, demographics, and environmental concerns. ○ Goal Setting: Defining what the community wants to achieve, such as sustainable growth or improved public transportation. ○ Drafting the Plan: Developing policies and strategies to reach the goals. ○ Review and Public Input: Gathering feedback from citizens, stakeholders, and government entities. ○ Adoption: The final plan is adopted by the governing body. ○ Implementation and Monitoring: Ensuring the plan's policies are put into action, with periodic updates as needed​(contemporary-urban-plan…). 2. b. Difference between a comprehensive plan and a unified development ordinance: ○ A comprehensive plan sets long-term goals for the development of a community, covering areas such as land use, transportation, and housing. It is more of a guiding document. ○ A unified development ordinance (UDO), on the other hand, consolidates zoning, subdivision regulations, and other land development regulations into a single document, focusing on the implementation of specific regulatory measures​(contemporary-urban-plan…). 3. Land Use a. Criticisms of Euclidean zoning: Euclidean zoning, which separates land uses into distinct zones, is often criticized for encouraging urban sprawl, limiting mixed-use development, and contributing to segregation of land uses, which increases reliance on cars​(contemporary-urban-plan…). b. Components of a zoning ordinance: ○ Zoning map: Shows the divisions of the community into different zones (residential, commercial, etc.). ○ Text of the ordinance: Includes the rules and regulations regarding how land can be used within each zone. ○ Zoning classifications: Definitions of each zoning category. ○ Enforcement procedures: How violations will be handled​(contemporary-urban-plan…). 4. c. Financial tools in capital investment planning: Tools like bonds, tax increment financing (TIF), and public-private partnerships are used to fund infrastructure projects, helping cities finance necessary improvements​(contemporary-urban-plan…)​(Midterm Review). d. Political risk in public policy decisions: This refers to the uncertainty planners face when policy decisions may be overturned or challenged by political changes, leading to instability in planning and investments​(contemporary-urban-plan…).  e. Role of capital investments in planning: Capital investments are essential in urban planning as they fund public infrastructure (e.g., roads, bridges) and other community assets, supporting long-term growth and development​(contemporary-urban-plan…)​(Midterm Review). f. Urban sprawl: Urban sprawl refers to the uncontrolled expansion of urban areas into surrounding rural land, leading to issues such as increased traffic, loss of green space, and higher infrastructure costs​(contemporary-urban-plan…). 5. The Legal Basis for Planning a. Police powers: Police powers allow local governments to regulate land use for public health, safety, and welfare, such as through zoning ordinances​(contemporary-urban-plan…). b. Handling of economic loss by property owners: The government must compensate for regulatory takings (when regulation limits land use so much that it effectively takes the property), but smaller economic losses are often absorbed by the property owners without compensation​(contemporary-urban-plan…). c. Kelo v. New London: In Kelo v. New London (2005), the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the government could use eminent domain to transfer land from one private owner to another for economic development purposes, as it constituted a "public use." This decision expanded the interpretation of "public use" under the Fifth Amendment​(contemporary-urban-plan…). d. Conflicts between individual rights and government regulatory powers: Courts often resolve these conflicts by balancing the public interest with private property rights. Regulations must serve a legitimate public purpose, and compensation may be required if the burden on the property owner is excessive​(contemporary-urban-plan…). e. Rapport between different levels of government: Local governments have authority over land use but must align their actions with state-enabling legislation. Federal involvement usually comes in the form of funding or mandates, particularly for large-scale projects​(contemporary-urban-plan…). 6. Planning and Politics a. Roles of a planner: A planner can serve as a technical expert, mediator, or advocate. They advise decision-makers but also engage with the public and other stakeholders to facilitate consensus​(contemporary-urban-plan…). b. Power of planners: Planners typically provide recommendations, but the final decisions are made by elected officials or appointed boards. While they influence outcomes, they do not hold ultimate authority​(contemporary-urban-plan…). 7. Transportation a. Meaningfulness of the concept of mobility: Mobility refers to the ease of moving people and goods within a city. Efficient mobility supports economic growth and reduces congestion​(contemporary-urban-plan…). b. Last mile problem in transit:  This refers to the challenge of getting transit users from a transit stop (bus, train) to their final destination. Solutions often involve bike shares, walking infrastructure, or micro-transit options​(contemporary-urban-plan…). c. Road capacity and level of service: Road capacity is the maximum number of vehicles a road can handle. Level of service (LOS) is a grading system (A to F) that reflects the quality of traffic flow, with A being free-flowing and F representing severe congestion​(contemporary-urban-plan…). 8. Economic Development a. Net payoff: In planning, net payoff refers to the total benefit to the community minus the costs of a project. This includes financial, social, and environmental impacts​(contemporary-urban-plan…). b. Structural unemployment: Structural unemployment occurs when there is a mismatch between the skills of the workforce and the demands of the economy. Causes include technological advancements and shifts in industry​(contemporary-urban-plan…). c. Economic growth vs. economic development: ○ Economic growth refers to an increase in the economic output of a region. ○ Economic development involves improving the economic, social, and environmental well-being of a community​(contemporary-urban-plan…)​(Midterm Review).