6: AOP - Current Planning (finance) Flashcards
Map Scale
Small scale map displays large land area with little detail
Large scale map shows limited land area in great detail
COMMON SCALES:
USGS - uses 1:24,000 aka 1 inch represents 2000 LF
- 1:62,500 aka 1 inch represents .98 mi
- 1:500,000 aka 1 inch equals 7.89 mi
- 1:2,000,000 aka 1 inch equals 31.57
General slope guidelines for urban development
0-.5%: No drainage, not suited for development
.5 -1%: No problems, ideal for all types of development
1-3%: Slight problems for large commercial areas, acceptable for residential
3-5%: Major problems for commercial / industrial / large scale residential
5-10%: Suitable only for specially designed developmHowent
How to convert map scales
Map scale in inches that you want to convert to linear miles:
Divide map scale by 12 (since there’s 12 inches in a foot)
Then divide that number by 5280 (because 5280 feet in a mile)
Map scale in miles that you watn to convert to inches
Multiply the map scale by 5280
Multiply that number by 12
3 types of map projection
Conic: Cone placed over a globe but cuts through the surface.
Cylindrical: Cone placed over a globe, meet along a latitude line.
Planar: Plane is placed over a globe - plane can touch the globe at the pole, the equator, or another line
Site Plan Review
scaled drawings that show detailed layout of a development proposal
Include: lot lines, roads, existing and proposed building footprints, major landscape features, utility rights-of-way.
Carried out to guarantee compliance during the zoning permitting process to determine if a variance is necessary.
Subdivision
Division of land into two or more parcels, sites, or lots for the purpose of transfer of ownership, development, or other forms of valuable interest.
WHY? To ensure developers properly design and construct new neighborhoods (roads)
WHAT / WHO IS AT STAKE? Local governments because they have responsibility of maintenance and operation of roads. Good subdivision regulation provides connectivity of neighborhoods and traffic flow.
This definition varies from state to state & may include minimum acreage requirements.
Plat
Map of a tract or parcel of land .
Replat
Allows for lots to be subdivided further or added back together
Amending plat
Corrects errors or adds additional information to a plat.
Vacating plat
Allows for a plat to be terminated prior to the selling of any lots.
Preliminary plat
To-scale mechanical drawing with precise topography and prescribed intervals showing the calculated location of all lots, streets, drainage patterns, facilities, and proposed dedications.
Final plat
The approved preliminary plat with all bearing, monuments, curves, and notations together with all dedications, easement, and approvals.
Purposes behind subdivision regulations are:
- To regulate subdivision development and implement planning policies
- To implement plans for orderly growth and development within the city’s boundaries and extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ);
- To ensure adequate provision for streets, alleys, parks, and other facilities indispensable to the community;
- To protect future purchasers from inadequate police and fire protection;
- To ensure sanitary conditions and other governmental services;
- To require compliance with certain standards;
- To officially register land.
To subdivide land, a property owner must work with the city or county to develop a plat. To plat a property, the following steps must be taken:
- The applicant submits a preliminary plat;
- A preliminary plat is reviewed by staff for compliance with subdivision regulations;
- Plat is then reviewed by the planning commission;
- Once the preliminary plat is approved by the planning commission, the property owner prepares the final plat;
- Final plat then repeats the process above until it is approved by the planning commission.
Where to subdivision regulations apply?
Within the city limits but they may also apply in the extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ)
The ETJ is a distance outside of the city limits where the subdivision regulations apply.
Performance Bond
Many communities require property owners to post performance bonds.
An agreement between property owner (developer) and the community to ensure that the final plat is built as shown on the drawings within a certain time period.
If developer fails to meet the requirements, the government may use the bond to cover the cost of constructing the improvements.
Bond is released once improvements are in place and have been inspected by the local government.
Performance bonds ensure that developers meet the needed obligations.
Exactions
Property owner / developer required to provide these in the form of dedication of the land or payment in-lieu of dedication.
Dedications
Gifts of land for public purposes, such as roads, parks, and utilities.
Impact Fees
Essentially a community “buy-in” fee for new residents and businesses. Developers are assessed a fee to add or expand public capital facilities that their new homes and businesses will need.
Typically charged for off-site infrastructure needed to provide new service to a development, such as a water or sewer main.
CANNOT be used to pay for the cost of upgrading an existing system or raise level of service in the community.
Development Agreement
Voluntary contract between local jurisdiction and a property owner detailing the obligations of both parties and specifying the standards and conditions that will govern development of the property.
Voluntary but once made they’re binding on the parties and their successors.
DEVELOPER: Gets assurance that the development regulations that apply to the project won’t change during the term of agreement.
Subdivision Bonuses
Extension of development benefits beyond those normally offered in exchange for enhancements such as affordable housing, cluster housing, and open space preservation.
Purposes of zoning
Protect and maintain property values;
Promote public health and safety;
Protect the environment;
Promote the aesthetic of a community;
Manage traffic;
Manage density;
Limit housing size and type, or encourage a variety of housing types;
Attract businesses and industries.
What does zoning regulate
Land use
Lot Size
Density
Building placement
Building height
Building bulk
Setbacks
Provision of adequate light and air
Parking
Landscaping
Signage
Typical groups that handle zoning decisions
Government staff
City council (or county commissioners)
Planning & zoning commission
Board of zoning appeals
Government staff (zoning staff)
- Staff to provide info to public about the zoning ordinances
- Staff responsible for reviewing apps & writing reports for the planning & zoning commission and the board of zoning appeals.
Planning and zoning commission (P&Z)
(zoning staff)
P&Z required to issue recommendations in matters of zoning.
These recommendations are made to a governing body. IN SOME CASES: P&Z renders final approval of cases.
- P&Z made up of community residents & business owners, members APPOINTED by governing body.
- P&Z read staff reports, visit sites, come prepped to talk w/ applicants.
- P&Z should think LONG TERM
Board of Zoning Appeals
(zoning staff)
Quasi-judicial board that hears cases for variances, special exceptions to the zoning ordinance, and appeals of staff’s admin of the zoning ordinances.
Members APPOINTED by governing body.
City Council
(zoning staff)
Governing body - often has the FINAL SAY on zoning issues.
The P&Z commission makes recommendations on zoning cases to the city council. The city council is then charged with making the final decision on whether to approve or disapprove a case.
ELECTED officials.
Two types of zoning amendments
1- Amendment to the zoning ordinance / text:
changes requirements for all properties.
2- Amendment to the zoning map:
Changes the zoning district on a particular property.
