Exam 1 incorrect answers Flashcards
Which was a key concept of the 1916 New York City Zoning Ordinance?
Select one:
a. The city’s water supply would be protected
b. Uses allowed in zoning districts were “cumulative”
c. Established height requirements
d. Established setback requirements
The correct answer is that the ordinance established setbacks at specific heights, but did not establish height limitations.
The correct answer is: Established setback requirements
You are a planner for a growing suburban community. Because of your community's growth the amount of waste produced has increased. The city needs to expand the landfill within the next five years. Before making a decision on the expansion, you would like to survey residents about the proposed expansion. You plan to include the survey in the water utility bill of every residence in the city. What type of response rate would you expect? Select one: a. Low b. High c. Medium
The correct answer is low. Mail surveys have the lowest response rate. Including the survey in a utility bill means that only a small portion of residents will even read the survey.
The correct answer is: Low
The City of Plannersville is developing a downtown plan. Over the last 20 years, the downtown area has lost 5,000 housing units and 2,000 jobs. A community survey found that citizens view the downtown area as crime ridden with nothing that would attract them to visit. The goal of the plan is to revitalize downtown and make it attractive to citizens. The plan calls for adding new nodes of activity, including retail and housing opportunities. You are a senior planner with the city and are charged with the implementation of this plan. The plan calls for one activity node to be focused on downtown housing with a park in the center. The 10-acre park will feature a large fountain, seating, and formal flower garden areas. Surrounding the park will be multi-story condominium and townhouse developments. The park is the critical element of this node. Which of the following would be the most effective method for financing the park? Select one: a. Tax Increment Financing b. Special Assessment c. General Obligation Bond d. Revenue Bond
The correct answer is tax increment financing. TIFs are best used in blighted areas that have the potential for an increased tax base. A TIF is used to finance public improvements through the increase in tax value on the surrounding property. A GO bond and special assessment could be used, but a TIF would be the most effective and politically feasible option.
The correct answer is: Tax Increment Financing
As a city planner for a major city that has a significant traffic challenge at several intersections, the city manager has asked you to study these intersections and identify the highest risk intersections and bring back your analysis within three weeks. You have two interns and a staff planner that can assist with this project. You build a project plan that identifies the critical tasks and how the project can get to completion. What would be the best tool to aid in completion of this project?
Select one:
a. Program Evaluation and Review Technique
b. Hire a project manager
c. Linear Programming
d. Cost-Revenue Analysis
A Program Evaluation and Review Technique chart would allow for the rapid sequencing of tasks ensuring that the project deadline can be met.
The correct answer is: Program Evaluation and Review Technique
These areas are legislatively authorized because they demonstrate a nationally unique natural, cultural, historic or scenic resource and link natural and cultural resources. These are known as: Select one: a. National Historic Sites b. Natural Resources c. National Monuments d. National Heritage Areas
National Heritage Areas can be established through an act of Congress, with assistance from the National Park Service. They are managed at a local or regional level.
The correct answer is: National Heritage Areas
You have been hired to reorganize the development functions of the city and have been asked to create a new department. To guide these efforts which of the following would be most helpful? Select one: a. Strategic Plan b. Performance Management Plan c. Capital Plan d. Visioning Plan
A strategic plan sets priorities to strengthen the operations of an organization and would be most appropriate in guiding a reorganization of functions. A performance management plan would guide the performance of individual staff members. A capital plan guides infrastructure investment and visioning sets the broader vision for the community.
The correct answer is: Strategic Plan
The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969:
Select one:
A. Established the Environmental Protection Agency
B. Required state and local governments to conform to set environmental standards
C. Required the public and private sectors (when receiving federal funds) to conform to certain environmental standards
D. Required the public sector to enforce penalties on the private sector for violations of NEPA
The correct answer is: Required the public and private sectors (when receiving federal funds) to conform to certain environmental standards
You are preparing a memo to the city manager about what will be involved in a planned community visioning process. Which of the following would you include:
I. Public Participation II. Demographic Forecast III. Alternative Futures IV. Goals Select one: a. I only b. I and II only c. I and III only d. I, II, III and IV
Visioning includes broad public participation and is based on key information about the community, such as the demographics of the community. Alternative futures and goals would be part of comprehensive planning, but not visioning.
The correct answer is: I and II only
You are organizing a committee to consider the future renovation needs of schools throughout the school district. What would be the optimal committee size? Select one: a. 5 or fewer b. 6 to 8 c. 9 to 15 d. 16 or more
Agreement can become more difficulty with a large number of members. Having at least 9 members ensures that all personality types are represented and a diversity of voices. A small committee can at times not bring a broad enough set of interests to the table. In this case you would want a mix of stakeholders, such as parents, neighbors, teachers, staff, administrators etc.
The correct answer is: 9 to 15
Which of the following would you include in the drafting of a zoning ordinance?
I. Minimum lot sizes II. Maximum building heights III. Procedures for changes in zoning IV. Placement of infrastructure Select one: a. I only b. I and II only c. I, II, and III only d. I, II, III, and IV
A zoning ordinance would include information on lot sizes, building heights and procedures. It would not include information on placement of infrastructure, which is more likely to appear in subdivision regulations.
The correct answer is: I, II, and III only
The Mayor’s Office has requested that you conduct a citizen survey to determine satisfaction with city services. You are evaluating whether to use a mail or phone survey. Thinking about telephone surveys, which of the following is the most important negative of using telephone surveys?
Select one:
a. They are expensive
b. They may not reach a representative sample
c. They are time consuming
d. It may be difficult to find people to conduct the survey
Explanation: Telephone surveys can result in an unrepresentative sample. This is due to a number of factors including the lack of a home telephone (for example cell phone only or no phone at all), the use of caller ID to screen calls, unlisted phone numbers, and no one home at the time of the call. Labor, expense, and time are all factors, but the best choice is an unrepresentative sample.
The correct answer is: They may not reach a representative sample
Which of the following cases were about a taking?
I. Pennsylvania Coal Co. v. Mahon II. Munn v. Illinois III. Keystone Bituminous Coal Association v. DeBenedictis Select one: a. I only b. II only c. I and III only d. I, II, and III
Pennsylvania Coal and Keystone are about the 5th amendment, Munn is a 14th amendment case
The correct answer is: I and III only
As the planner for a former industrial city you have watched the population decline over the last thirty years. The Mayor has asked for a plan that will embrace the population decline rather than be concerned with trying to grow the city. You have envisioned the city as one with more green space, reduced infrastructure, and revitalization of underutilized sites. A regional news station has invited you to give an interview about the new plan. The reporter asks for a simple phrase that best describes the City’s plan. Select one: a. Sprawl Busting b. Smart Growth c. Smart Decline d. Infill Redevelopment
The simple phrase “Smart Decline” best describes the city’s plan. Smart decline is a strategy that can be used in shrinking cities to plan for decline.
The correct answer is: Smart Decline
Which of the following is/are element(s) of T.J. Kent’s components of an effective master plan as noted in The Urban General Plan?
I. Long range and general
II. Comprehensive and adopted at one time with all elements integrated
III. Focused on the physical development implications of socio-economic polices
IV. Identified as the City Council’s plan
Select one:
a. I only
b. I and II only
c. I, II, and III only
d. I, II, III, and IV only
T.J. Kent defines the comprehensive plan as a community’s official statement of policies regarding desirable future physical development; the plan should be comprehensive in scope, general in nature and long-range in perspective.
The correct answer is: I, II, III, and IV only
The Council Board of Commissioners has appointed a ten member steering committee on the environment. You are the planner assigned to oversee the committee. Which of the following should you do?
Select one:
a. Serve as the chair of the committee
b. Just correspond with the chair to make sure everything is running smoothly
c. Advise the committee to select a chairperson
d. Tell the committee the expected outcomes
The correct answer is: Advise the committee to select a chairperson
A developer is pushing for rezoning of a property to allow for a mixed use development that would include 500 housing units, 50,000 square feet of retail and 20,000 square feet of office. While the development concept is sound, the city’s infrastructure is at maximum capacity. In the staff report which of the following would best present the case:
Select one:
a. At the present time water pressure is inadequate to support this number of housing units.
b. At the present time, the City does not have a stormwater management system that could handle the increase in stormwater runoff.
c. At the present time the city’s sewer system does not extend to this area and the road infrastructure is inadequate to handle the anticipated traffic from this development.
d. At the present time the City lacks any parkland within one mile of the development and the road nearest to the development has a level of service D making this an inappropriate site for this development.
Deficiencies in sewer and roads significantly constraint land development, making the site unsuitable for substantial development at the present time. While lack of parks, stormwater and water pressure are all relevant, the most significant constraint on land development is sewer service and roads.
The correct answer is: At the present time the city’s sewer system does not extend to this area and the road infrastructure is inadequate to handle the anticipated traffic from this development.
You have been hired by the state department of agriculture to form a state food policy council that will work with key stakeholders across the state. You have recruited members and are setting the agenda for the year. Which of the following do you plan to address?
I. food deserts II. land use management III. obesity rates IV. preservation of agricultural lands Select one: a. I, III, and IV b. II and IV c. I, II, III, and IV d. I and IV
Many states have food policy councils focused on education and policy. Food policy councils typically avoid issues directly dealing with regulation, as these are managed by other organizations.
The correct answer is: I, III, and IV
The city is considering a new zoning requirement that would require a 10 foot setback from waterways. In preparing the ordinance amendment for presentation to the planning commission and city council you use which of the following to present a spatial analysis of the impact of the ordinance? Select one: a. Vector data model b. Geodesic buffer c. Polygon d. Euclidean buffer
A Euclidean buffer measures the distance in two-dimensional Cartesian plan – that is straight line distances are calculated. This type of buffer works well when working at a city scale. A geodesic buffer accounts for the curvature of the earth and would be used when the map projection is at a large regional scale or global scale. A polygon connects specific points, because this is a standard distance from waterways a buffer makes more sense. A vector data model is an overarching term that would cover buffering, overlays, distance measurement and spatial statistics.
The correct answer is: Euclidean buffer
As a new planner for the state of Arizona you are responsible for working with jurisdictions throughout the state promoting land use policies that will support growth of industry. You have a meeting scheduled with the Navajo Nation. In advance of the meeting you do research to make sure you understand tribal authority as it relates to land use regulations. Which of the following best describes the authority of the Navajo Nation?
Select one:
a. Tribes are subject to the same state enabling legislation that other home rule authority local governments are subject to in the state.
b. Tribes have autonomy in the same way that other home rule authorities have to set local regulations.
c. Tribes possess a nationhood status and retain inherent powers of self-government.
d. Tribes possess statehood status and retain rights to enable local regulations.
According to the Bureau of Indian Affairs “Article 1, Section 8 of the United States Constitution vests Congress, and by extension the Executive and Judicial branches of our government, with the authority to engage in relations with the tribes, thereby firmly placing tribes within the constitutional fabric of the nation.” Supreme Court Justice John Marshall in Cherokee Nation v. Georgia (1831) articulated that “tribes possess a nationhood status and retain inherent powers of self-government.” This would include land use regulatory authority.
The correct answer is: Tribes possess a nationhood status and retain inherent powers of self-government.
Which of the following is an effective way to validate community opinion? Select one: a. Conduct a citizen survey b. Work with neighborhood organizations c. Ask for written comments d. Hold a public hearing
Working with neighborhood organizations is an effective way to make sure feedback from citizens, such as through surveys resonates.
The correct answer is: Work with neighborhood organizations
Who wrote "The Geography of Nowhere," a book about suburban sprawl and its impact on American communities? Select one: a. Richard Sennett b. James Kunstler c. Robert Putnam d. Thomas Friedman
James Kunstler wrote the Geography of Nowhere
The correct answer is: James Kunstler
