Lecture 2: Environmental Planning Elements and Land Use & Zoning PDF

Lecture 2: Environmental Planning Elements and Land Use and Zoning Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 1  Environmental Planning Elements Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 2  Mandatory Elements of an Environmental Plan...

Lecture 2: Environmental Planning Elements and Land Use and Zoning Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 1  Environmental Planning Elements Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 2  Mandatory Elements of an Environmental Plan Land Use Optional Circulation (Permissible) Environmental Safety Housing Plan Noise Conservation Open Space Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 3  Land Use Element  Identifies the proposed distribution and intensity of uses of the land for housing, business, industry, open space, natural resources, public facilities, waste disposal sites and other categories of public and private uses.  Serves as the central framework for the entire plan and is intended to correlate all land-use issues into a set of coherent development policies. Its goals, objectives, policies, programs, diagrams and maps relate directly to the other elements.  Includes standards of population density (measured as numbers of people) and building intensity (using measures such as site coverage, floor-to-area ratio, building type and size, or units per acre or hectare). Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 4  Circulation Element  Identifies the location and extent of existing and proposed major thoroughfares, transportation routes, terminals and other local public utilities and facilities.  Serves as an infrastructure plan and must be correlated with the land-use element  Contains detailed maps, standards for operation (for example, traffic level of service), policies (such as promoting handicapped accessibility), and financing plans  Includes public transit, bicycle facilities, parking, truck routes, sewage transport and treatment, electric and telephone transmission lines, drainage facilities and waterways. Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 5  Housing Element  Consists of an identification and analysis of existing and projected housing needs and a statement of goals, policies, quantified objectives, and scheduled programs for the preservation, improvement, and development of housing  Must assess the housing needs of all economic segments of the community and include an implementation program formulated to meet those needs  Availability of suitable housing sites must be considered, based not only upon the existing zoning and land-use restrictions of the locality, but also based upon the potential for increased residential development under alternative zoning ordinances and land-use restrictions Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 6  Conservation Element  Addresses the identification, conservation, development and use of natural resources including water, forests, soils, waterways, wildlife and mineral deposits.  May consider issues such as flood control, water and air pollution, erosion, conversion of farm land, endangered species, and timing and impact of mining and logging activities.  While there may be some overlap with other elements of the plan, such as the open-space and safety elements, the conservation element’s primary focus is on natural resources.  Must include mineral resource management policies to address the conservation and development of identified designated mineral deposits.  The goal is to balance the value of those deposits against competing land uses which may prevent future access to the minerals, and to minimize the impact of mining activities Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 7  Open-Space Element  Must specify plans and measures for preserving open space for natural resources, for outdoor recreation, and for public health and safety. The open-space plan will overlap with land use, conservation and safety elements.  The primary purpose of this element is to assure that open-space land is limited and valuable resource must be conserved wherever possible and to discourage premature and unnecessary conversion of open-space land to urban uses and non- contiguous development pattern.  Building permits, subdivision maps and open-space ordinances that are inconsistent with the open-space plan are specifically forbidden. Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 8  Noise Element  Identifies and appraises noise problems in the community. To the extent practicable, current and projected noise levels are calculated and mapped for roadways, airports, industrial plants and other major noise sources  Projected noise levels are used as a guide for establishing a pattern of land uses in the land- use element that minimizes the exposure of community residents to excessive noise. Implementation measures and possible solutions to noise problems shall be included in the noise elements  Measures may involve sound barriers to shield noise sensitive land uses (such as hospitals, schools and housing), restricted operating hours for stationary noise generators, protective building design and location of new roadways Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 9  Safety Element  Establishes policies and programs to protect the community from risks associated with seismic, geologic, flood and wildlife hazards.  Known seismic and other geologic hazards (such as landslide areas) must be mapped, and issues such as emergency evacuation routes and water supply for fire fighting must be addressed.  May expand to cover a broad range of safety related issues which may be locally relevant, such as the use, transport and disposal of hazardous materials; power failure; and vehicular accidents Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 10  Optional (Permissive) Element  In addition to the seven mandatory elements, the city plan may include any other elements or address any other subjects, which in the judgment of the city or municipal council, relate to the physical development of the city or town. Once an optional element has been adopted, it becomes a full pledged part of the city plan  Optional plan elements may be adopted on a wide variety of topics. Any subject is appropriate where there is a concern in the community to study and plan regarding an issue that is not addressed in sufficient detail in the mandatory elements  Some of the more common themes are pollution, recreation, design, economic development, infrastructure, energy, historic preservation and redevelopment.  Many elements addressing more unique subjects may also be adopted, such as tourism, urban forest, law enforcement, quality of life, arts and agriculture 11 Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD  Linkage of Environmental Planning Elements with Environmental Factors Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 12  LAND USE AND ZONING Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 13  Definition of Land Use  A description on how vacant properties will be developed over time and the extent to which private and public redevelopment efforts will change, intensify, or otherwise modify current uses of property citywide. Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 14  Purpose of land use element  It designates "the proposed distribution and location and extent of the uses of the land" for a variety of purposes.  It defines the distribution and intensity of development of residential neighborhoods, commercial and employment districts, parks and other open spaces, and governmental and institutional uses of property in a city or town.  It describes the relationship between City Plan land use policy and zoning, and how the zoning ordinance provides the primary means for implementing land use goals. Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 15  Land Use Policy  Illustrates focus areas for business activity  Identifies existing residential neighborhoods and locations for new housing  Shows parks and similar open space and recreation amenities for the community  Indicates sites for schools and other public land uses Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 16  Land Use Residential Other uses Commercial Land Use Employment/ Open Space Technology Public Facility Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 17  Residential Land Uses  Low Density Residential (LDR) - allows traditional single-family homes, with one dwelling permitted per legal lot. Residences consist generally of single-family, detached houses with private yards. The permitted density is 0 to 8 dwelling units per acre. The average population density is 27 persons per acre or 6,750 persons per sq km. Additional permitted uses include religious and educational institutions, group homes, and community care facilities, consistent with zoning ordinance regulations.  Medium Density Residential (MDR) - provides for moderate density housing either as attached or detached units at a density range of 0 to 16 units per acre. Such housing can include private and common open space. The average population density is 53 persons per acre or 13,250 persons per sq km. Additional permitted uses include religious and educational institutions, group homes, and community care facilities, consistent with zoning ordinance regulations.  High Density Residential (HDR) - allows a broad range of dwelling unit types which may be attached or detached. The residential units consist typically of apartments, condominiums, and townhomes built at a maximum density of 25 units per acre. The average population density is 84 persons per acre or 21,000 persons per sq km. Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 18  Commercial Land Use Provides opportunities for a broad range of retail and service commercial and professional office uses intended to meet the needs of the city/town residents and businesses, as well as regional shopping demand Commercial development largely is located along major thoroughfares and the freeway corridors Additional permitted uses may include religious and educational institutions, group homes, and community care facilities, consistent with zoning ordinance regulations. Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 19  Employment/ Technology Uses Allows commercial, light manufacturing, research and development, and professional office uses in business park settings and as individually developed lots. On properties owned by government agencies, government-related uses are conditionally acceptable. Educational facilities considered appropriate include technical schools and similar facilities supporting businesses within the district. Warehousing, freight terminals, and heavy manufacturing are expressly prohibited, and wholesaling activities are permitted only on a limited, restricted basis, as defined by zoning regulations. Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 20  Public Facility  Provides one land use category to accommodate public facility uses, which are defined as uses directly related to a legitimate governmental or quasi-governmental activity or function Public buildings, including but not limited to, City Hall, public libraries, and police and fire stations Quasi-public facilities such as public utility facilities, water wells, reservoirs, and similar uses Institutional uses such as public and private schools Utility easements. Within utility easements, private nursery operations can be allowed consistent with provisions set forth in the zoning ordinance. 21 Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD  Open Space  All public parks and City-owned recreational facilities are included in the Open Space category.  While parks represent the primary permitted use, permitted recreational facilities include public gymnasiums, multi-purpose community buildings, child care centers for City-supported programs, and similar uses of a public-serving nature.  No intensity restriction applies to the Open Space category. Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 22  Other Land Use categories for specific areas  Industrial  Tourist areas  Transportation/ communication/utilities  Agriculture  Undeveloped areas 23 Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD  Concepts of Zoning Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 24  Definition of Zoning  Zoning - the division of a city into districts and the application of different regulations of buildings and structures in each district according to construction, and the nature and the extent of their use, and the nature and extent of the uses of land  Zoning - the legislative method of controlling land use by regulating such considerations as the type of buildings (e.g., commercial or -residential) that may be erected and the population density. -Applied primarily to urban areas, it is accomplished by dividing land area into zoning districts, each having specific conditions under which land and buildings may be legally developed and used.  Zoning - a planning control tool for regulating the built environment and creating functional real estate markets. It determines the location, size, and use of buildings and decides the density of city blocks (Source: https://urban-regeneration.worldbank.org/node/39) Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 25  Purpose of Zoning  Zoning aims to rationalize land use allocation and promote planned development in accordance with the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) of the community  It is primarily concerned with the use of land and the control of density of population through the imposition of requirements affecting building heights, bulk, open space and density provision in a given area Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 26  Zoning Ordinance  Various land uses authorized by a zoning ordinance must be compatible with the objectives, policies, general land uses, and programs specified in the general plan. Any inconsistency of the zoning ordinance with the city l plan may lead to an abuse of police power.  In the event that a zoning ordinance becomes inconsistent with the city plan by reason of amendment of such plan, or any element of such plan, the zoning ordinance shall be amended within a reasonable time so that it is consistent with the city plan as amended.  To implement the Land Use Plan (LUP), a Zoning Ordinance (ZO) has to be prepared by the Planning Team and to be adopted by local legislation. The ordinance states the boundaries of the prescribed land use districts or zones, the allowable uses per land use and all other regulation pertaining to land uses. Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 27  Purpose of Zoning Ordinances  It designates the kinds and types of buildings and structures permitted in each district of a community. If a zoning ordinance allows only houses and apartment buildings in a certain area, or district, said area must be planned completely as residential. The same is true for areas with commercial, industrial, manufacturing and public land districts when designated by zoning ordinances.  It regulates lot sizes, heights and placements of buildings on the required setbacks from property lines, the number and location of parking and loading areas, and the use of signs.  It regulates and controls the division of land within the city for the preservation of the public health, safety and general welfare, to promote orderly growth and development and to promote open space, conservation, protection, and proper use of land and to insure provision for adequate traffic circulation, utilities and services. Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 28  Sample Zoning Ordinance Engr. Bonifacio B. Magtibay, PhD 29