Exam 3 incorrect answers

Question 1

You have recently been hired as the Planning Director for a medium sized city. You have a staff of four planners, two planning technicians, and an administrative assistant. The City Manager has informed you that the department has customer service problems, the review time for applications is too long, and staff morale is generally low. You decide to undertake a strategic planning process with the staff. Which of the following analyses would be appropriate to use?

a. Universal Serial Bus
b. Program Evaluation and Review Technique
c. Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threates
d. Environmental Impact Analysis

Answer 1

The correct answer is SWOT analysis. Assessing strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats is a critical part of the strategic planning process. EIS stands for environmental impact analysis. PERT is a project management technique. USB stands for urban service boundary.
The correct answer is: Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threates

Question 2

The city has been struggling since the economic downturn to fully fund public services. The city has created a task force to look at opportunities to reduce costs. Of particular interest are opportunities to partner on shared services. Which of the following should you recommend as part of the task force report?

a. School recreational areas
b. School busing
c. Storm water management
d. Street lighting

Answer 2

Communities and schools have partnered to share school recreational facilities when school is not operating. This maximizing facility utilization and shares the cost.
The correct answer is: School recreational areas

Question 3

A researcher was studying an area to determine the presence and concentration of an endangered frog species. To obtain an estimate of the population in a large forest, he picked a random point in the forest and a random direction. He went to the random starting point and counted the number of frogs in the forest closest to that point. He then took ten steps in the direction that had been selected at random and counted the number of frogs. He repeated the process of taking ten steps in the same direction and counting the number of frogs until he had counted the number of frogs from 50 walks. What type of sampling plan is this?

a. simple random sampling
b. stratified random sampling
c. systematic random sampling
d. cluster sampling

Answer 3

Systematic random sampling starts by selected a starting point at random and then selecting a consistent random number from that point. For example starting at person 434 and then taking every 10th person in the phone book from there to call to participate in a survey.
The correct answer is: systematic random sampling

Question 4

Christopher Stone’s 1972 book “Should Trees Have Standing” discussed which of the following issues?

a. takings
b. freedom of speech
c. procedural due process
d. authority to file suit

Answer 4

The correct answer is authority to file suit. The book discusses the Sierra Club v. Morton, Secretary of the Interior (1972) case where the Sierra Club attempted to block the development of a ski resort in the Mineral King Valley in the Sequoia National Forest.
The correct answer is: authority to file suit

Question 5

As a planner for a non-governmental organization (NGO) working in the developing world, you are responsible for organizing public participation around development projects. Because you work in settings where there are low literacy levels, you must choose a technique that is highly visual. In your participation plan, you call for the use of which of the following techniques that you believe best meets your needs for highly visual participation:

a. Self-esteem, Associative strength, Resourcefulness, Action planning, and Responsibility
b. Design Charrette
c. Future Search
d. Groupware

Answer 5

SARAR stands for Self-esteem, Associative strength, Resourcefulness, Action planning, and Responsibility. This is a series of techniques designed to be highly visual and accessible to those who cannot read or write. Examples, include pocket charts, three pile sorting, and picture stories with gaps.
The correct answer is: Self-esteem, Associative strength, Resourcefulness, Action planning, and Responsibility

Question 6

Scoping is required as part of what planning process?

a. Strategic Planning
b. Delphi Method
c. Preliminary Plat
d. Environmental Impact Statement

Answer 6

The correct answer is environmental impact statement. Scoping is required in the early states of preparing an EIS. A scoping meeting introduces the public to the project and the environmental issues.
The correct answer is: Environmental Impact Statement

Question 7

As the county’s economic development director you are looking for creative solutions to promote economic development in this largely agricultural county. You have convened a group of famers to promote agritourism. Which of the following would be most effective?

a. Encourage farmers along a key accessible corridor to collaborate on adding complementary agritourism activities to create a day trip to attract families from the adjacent metropolitan area.
b. Invite farmers from across the county to create agritourism activities and then offer to have the county pay for advertising in targeted markets.
c. Have the county create and operate an agritourism center at the County fairgrounds to attract tourists to visit the county.
d. Offer a small grant to any farmer that would like to experiment with agritourism, to support the initial startup costs.

Answer 7

Effective agritourism attracts consumers who wish to experience agricultural. Joint marketing and planning can expand the impact of agritourism in a community. In this case encouraging direct economic benefit to farmers will be key, as well as having a clear destination for visitors.
The correct answer is: Encourage farmers along a key accessible corridor to collaborate on adding complementary agritourism activities to create a day trip to attract families from the adjacent metropolitan area.

Question 8

The City is preparing a rezoning plan for an urban corridor that is likely to be redeveloped in the next five to ten years. One of the major problems is the existing traffic volume. The level of service is an F. You are trying to identify uses with a low average vehicle trip per unit. As redevelopment occurs less intensive automobile uses could be introduced. Based on the Quick Response Urban Travel Estimation Techniques and Transferable Parameters, which of the following would have the lowest number of average vehicle trips per unit?

a. Assisted Living Facility
b. Single Family Home
c. Fast Food Restaurant
d. Warehouse

Answer 8

Based on the Quick Response Urban Travel Estimation Techniques and Transferable Parameters, assisted living facilities would have the lowest number of average vehicle trips per unit.

The average vehicle trip rate for:
Single Family Residential is 9.1 to 10.2
Planned Unit Developments is 7.9
Duplexes and Townhomes is 7.0
Apartments is 6.0
Condominiums is 5.9
Mobile Homes is 5.5
Retirement Homes is 3.5.

Question 9

Which of the following would best protect and preserve agricultural land?

a. Pass a state Right to Farm law
b. Adoption of an agricultural zoning district
c. Development of a transfer of development rights program
d. Development of a purchase of development rights program

Answer 9

The correct answer is development of a purchase of development rights program. While the other answers would protect agricultural land, a purchase program guarantees that land will be preserved in perpetuity.

Question 10

Which case first established the concept of “public welfare”?

a. Southern Burlington County NAACP v. Township of Mount Laurel
b. Golden v. Planning Board of Ramapo
c. Necton v. City of Cambridge
d. Village of Euclid v. Ambler Realty Co

Answer 10

The correct answer is Village of Euclid v. Ambler Realty Co. In the Euclid case, the Court found that the use of police power for the purpose of protecting public welfare is a valid reason to use zoning.

Question 11

Shift-Share analysis involves which of the following?
I. Evaluating the performance of an individual industry
II. Evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of an industry
III. Evaluating the region’s mix of industries

Select one:

a. I only
b. I and II only
c. II and III only
d. I, II, and III

Answer 11

A shift-share analysis, determines what portions of regional economic growth or decline can be attributed to national, economic industry, and regional factors. The analysis helps identify industries where a regional economy has competitive advantages over the larger economy.
The correct answer is: I, II, and III

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT true about vested rights?

a. A nonconforming lot can be developed if the zoning change was after the creation of the lot.
b. Once a building permit has been issued, there is a right to continue with the project regardless of changes in regulation.
c. There is a vested right if a property has an existing zoning classification.
d. There is a vested right once a substantial financial investment has been made in the property.

Answer 12

There is not a vested right if a property has an existing zoning classification.
The correct answer is: There is a vested right if a property has an existing zoning classification.

Question 13

You work for a community development corporation and were recently brought on as the new executive director. One of the key things you have heard from the staff of 30 is that people don’t know what is going on and who is doing what. You realize that internal communications needs to improve. To support enhanced communications you decide to reorganize the staff. Which of the following organizational structures would work best?

a. Hierarchical
b. Flat
c. Matrix
d. Linear

Answer 13

To enhance communication a flat organization places more responsibility among individual employees, resulting in greater communication among people in the organization. This is compared to a hierarchical organization where information can sometimes be held at key ranks in the organization.

Question 14

A new master-planned casino and resort development is planned in a wetland area of the county which fronts along a coastal bay. The project will require filling a portion of the wetland areas near some of the coastal estuaries that will be incorporated into the development. Considerable land will be cleared for the construction of the casino, hotel, and condominiums. Local environmental groups have raised concerns about whether the project will impact an endangered frog habitat. Which of the following statements is the most accurate?

a. If the appropriate representative of the state coastal zone management program that qualifies under the federal Coastal Zone Management Act objects to the project, the Army Corps may not issue a section 404 permit.
b. Under the Environmental Protection Agency guidelines that the Army Corps administers when considering whether to issue a section 404 permit, it may presume that other practical alternatives are available to the landowner unless it receives compelling proof to the contrary.
c. The developer may be able to qualify an incidental-take permit (ITP), which requires the developer to prepare a habitat conversation plan (HCP) that minimizes and mitigates the take to the maximum extent possible. The County can protest the plan and prevent the issuance of a permit.
d. If an environmental impact statement is prepared for the project under the National Environmental Policy Act, and the study finds that adverse environmental impacts will occur, any federal permit that applies to the project must be withheld.

Answer 14

Answers and A and B are correct, however under A there is a provision that allows for the Department of Commerce to reverse the ruling. Section 404 permits are subject to consistency determinations under the Coastal Zone Management Program. Answer C is incorrect because the County does not have the ability to prevent the issuance of a permit based on the habitat conversion plan. Answer D is incorrect because even if adverse environmental impacts may be identified, those factors do not necessarily change the legal authority used by a federal agency in approving or disapproving a project.

The correct answer is B: Under the Environmental Protection Agency guidelines that the Army Corps administers when considering whether to issue a section 404 permit, it may presume that other practical alternatives are available to the landowner unless it receives compelling proof to the contrary.

Question 15

You wish to use a software program that will allow you to undertake modeling that allows for you to analyze urban development, considering the interactions between land use, transportation, and public policy on a regional scale. You have evaluated a series of software packages. Which would be the most appropriate?

a. SketchUp
b. UrbanSim
c. Geographic Information System
d. CommunityViz

Answer 15

UrbanSim is an open source urban simulation system to support metropolitan land use, transportation, and environmental planning. For more information see http://www.urbansim.com

Question 16

You are a planner in a mid-sized city and you have an opportunity to invest in a development, but the proposal will come before your agency for approval. What should you do?

a. Decline the investment opportunity.
b. Make the investment, but let you boss know about the transaction.
c. Remove yourself from the case when it comes before the planning commission.
d. Place the investment in a family member’s name.

Answer 16

You do not want to create an appearance of a conflict of interest. Even if you are not responsible for the case, it can appear that there is a conflict of interest. The AICP Code of Ethics states “We shall avoid a conflict of interest or even the appearance of a conflict of interest in accepting assignments from clients or employers.”
The correct answer is: Decline the investment opportunity.

Question 17

The following is one of the key reasons for an increase in homelessness over time.

a. The state won’t mail benefits to people who do not have a permanent address.
b. A local manufacturer shut down and the 100 people employed in the factory have suffered from long-term unemployment.
c. Housing trusts established to build transitional housing have not been able to keep with the demand for housing.
d. Federal repeal and cuts to programs that assist the poor, including the Aid to Families with Dependent Children program.

Answer 17

The principal cause of the increase in homelessness were cuts in federal aid programs. The AFDC program was replaced with the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families. This program helps only a portion of the families that AFDC reached. The amount paid to persons receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) has not increased at a rate that keeps up with the cost of living. The SSI payment, which supports the disabled, is less than the average monthly rent for a studio apartment.
The correct answer is: Federal repeal and cuts to programs that assist the poor, including the Aid to Families with Dependent Children program.

Question 18

Which of the following would not be the most effective methodology for conducting an environmental impact statement?

a. Rational Planning
b. Networks
c. Checklists
d. Scoping

Answer 18

The correct answer is rational planning. Rational planning would not be the best approach for conducting an EIS. An EIS is conducted using a mix of scoping, analysis, and assessment.
The correct answer is: Rational Planning

Question 19

Jacob Riis is the author of which of the following books?

I. How the Other Half Lives
II. The Children of the Poor
III. Silent Spring
IV. New Regionalism

Select one:

a. I only
b. I and II only
c. I, II, and III only
d. I, II, III, and IV

Answer 19

The correct answer is How the Other Half Lives and The Children of the Poor. Riis wrote at the turn of the 20th century about the lives of the poor in blighted urban areas.

Question 20

Operating and long term maintenance costs should be considered in which of the following budgeting techniques?

a. PPBS
b. Performance budgeting
c. ZBB
d. CIP

Answer 20

The correct answer is CIP.

Question 21

The Supreme Court in Nectow v. City of Cambridge dealt with which of the following issues?

a. Taking
b. Eminent domain
c. Zoning
d. Free speech

Answer 21

Nectow v. City of Cambridge dealt with zoning.

Question 22

Golden v. Planning Board of the Town of Ramapo did which of the following?

a. Repealed an ordinance that placed tighter restrictions on non-commercial signs than on commercial signs
b. Upheld a zoning ordinance that made issuance of a development permit contingent on the presence of public facilities
c. Upheld an ordinance that required the dedication of a beachfront easement for public use
d. Upheld an ordinance that set time, place, and manner restrictions on an adult club

Answer 22

The correct answer is upheld a ordinance that made issuance of a development permit contingent on the presence of public facilities. Golden v Ramapo (1972) was the first growth management case, allowing the city to control its own growth. The case upheld a growth management system that awarded points to development proposals based on the availability of public utilities, drainage facilities, parks, road access, and firehouses. A proposal would only be approved upon reaching a certain point level. Developers could increase their point total by providing the involved facilities themselves.
The correct answer is: Upheld a zoning ordinance that made issuance of a development permit contingent on the presence of public facilities

Question 23

What technique can be used to find the optimum design solution on a project?

a. Critical Path Programming
b. Linear Programming
c. Program Evaluation and Review Technqiue
d. Zero Based Budget

Answer 23

Linear programming can be used to find the optimum design solution on a project.
The correct answer is: Linear Programming

Question 24

The California Supreme Court upheld the right of a city to time the phasing of development, contingent on performance standards being met, in which of the following cases?

a. Construction Industry Association of Sonoma County v. City of Petaluma
b. Fred French Investing Company v. City of New York
c. Village of Euclid v. Ambler Realty
d. Associated Home Builders of Greater East Bay v. City of Livermore

Answer 24

The case was Associated Home Builders of Greater East Bay v. City of Livermore.

Question 25

You live in a riverfront community and in the last ten years there has been a proliferation of docks and boats on waterfront properties. Water quality has been declining. As part of your comprehensive planning for the community you want to engage with regulatory authorities about ways to improve water quality on the river. Who should you engage?

I. US Department of Environmental Quality
II. Army Corp of Engineers
III. US Department of Commerce
IV. County government

a. I only
b. I and II only
c. I, II and III only
d. I, II, III and IV

Answer 25

The Clean Water Act of 1972 exercised its power to regulate interstate commerce by prohibiting discharges into the nation’s navigable waters. If the body of water can be used to transport goods from one state to another it is covered by the Clean Water Act. The Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corp of Engineers have regulatory power to prepare rules for navigable waters.
The correct answer is: I and II only

Question 26

Open Meetings Laws require that…

a. …Planning Commission meetings be open to the public.
b. …executive sessions of City Council must be open to the public.
c. …executive sessions of the Planning Commission must be open to the public.
d. …transcripts of public hearings be available to the public.

Answer 26

Open Meetings Laws require that Planning Commission meetings be open to the public.
The correct answer is: …Planning Commission meetings be open to the public.

Question 27

You have been charged with overseeing an eminent domain and redevelopment project. You’ll be removing a handful of houses that have recently been the victim of arson and acquiring vacant lots nearby to put together a 7-acre parcel. You have partnered with a non-profit affordable housing developer who will be constructing an affordable townhome project that will be funded by grants you have acquired. It is critical that you properly sequence the project. You have put together a list of milestones with estimated times for the nine-month long project. You are in the process of sequencing the events so that it is clear which activities need to occur in which sequence to ensure the success of the project and completion before October when the winter weather will set in. Which of the following project management techniques would be most effective in helping you complete this project saving the most time and resources?

a. Critical Path Method
b. GANNT chart
c. Linear Programming
d. PERT Network chart

Answer 27

The Program Evaluation and Review technique is a decision-making tool designed to achieve objectives in which time is a critical factor. This technique is most helpful when time expectations are significant.
The correct answer is: PERT Network chart

Question 28

Which of the following is true of a null hypothesis?

a. A null hypothesis is always rejected.
b. A null hypothesis is a neutral statement that does not suggest the direction of the result.
c. A hypothesis that is true must have a large sample size.
d. A null hypothesis is always equal to 0.

Answer 28

A null hypothesis is a neutral statement that does not suggest the direction of the result.

Question 29

You are trying to reach out to senior citizens in your community to understand whether the existing senior center is meeting the community’s needs. Which of the following would be the most effective way to reach this group?

a. Mail Survey
b. Phone Survey
c. Email Survey
d. Social Media link to a Survey

Answer 29

Those over 65 use the Internet and e-mail in the smallest portions. A phone or mail survey are more likely to reach seniors, but a mail survey is the most likely to reach the resident and to receive a response.
The correct answer is: Mail Survey

Question 30

Which of the following Acts was adopted in 1965?

a. Water Quality Act
b. Federal Water Pollutant Control Act
c. Coastal Zone Management Act
d. Clean Water Act

Answer 30

The Water Quality Act was adopted in 1965.

The correct answer is: Water Quality Act

Question 31

The federal government in order to support revitalization in economically depressed areas designated governmental subsidies and tax incentives known as?

a. A revitalization zone
b. An empowerment zone
c. A redevelopment zone
d. Hope VI

Answer 31

An empowerment zone is a federally designated distressed area in need of sustainable community development. EZ is designed to afford communities real opportunities for growth and revitalization.
The correct answer is: An empowerment zone

Question 32

As the planner responsible for a neighborhood planning process you have undertaken a participatory process that allows the participants to assess project alternatives by weighing the alternatives according to a group of citizen goals. This is known as a:

a. Delphi Technique
b. Planning Cell
c. Charrette
d. Coffee Klatch

Answer 32

A planning cell allows citizens to learn about, assess and choose between multiple alternatives. Planning cells is a method for deliberation developed by Dr. Dienel, and is designed to be a “micro-parliament.” In a planning cell, approximately twenty five people from various backgrounds work together to develop a set of solutions to a problem delegated to the participants by a commissioning body.
The correct answer is: Planning Cell

Question 33

As the new development director for the Arena District, you have been charged with financing improvements in the district. Your source of funding is a portion of the ticket sales from the arena. Your plan calls for the construction of a mixed use parking garage that will include retail on the first floor, housing on the second floor, and parking on the four upper decks. Which type of financing would be the best to pay for this project?

a. Tax Increment Financing
b. Revenue Bond
c. Special Assessment
d. Special District

Answer 33

A revenue bond would be the best type of financing to pay for the project. Revenue bonds are municipal bonds that can be used to finance income-producing projects. The bonds are secured by a specified revenue source. The bonds can be issued by any government agency that has a revenue source.
The correct answer is: Revenue Bond

Question 34

Which of the following is the best way to resolve a conflict in the community?

a. Delphi method
b. Consensus building
c. A referendum
d. Mediation

Answer 34

While on an individual basis mediation can be most effective when you are working with a large group such as a community consensus building is more effective. Consensus building (also called collaborative problem solving or collaboration) is essentially mediation of a conflict which involves many parties. Usually, the conflict also involves multiple, complex issues. While consensus building is probably most often used in environmental disputes, it is applicable to many other kinds of public policy disputes as well at the community, state, and international levels.
The correct answer is: Consensus building

Question 35

Your city is preparing to undertake a complete rewrite of its development ordinances. You have undertaken a series of case studies to understand new approaches to development regulation. You are preparing a summary to share with the development ordinance writing team. One of the examples you profile is Miami 21. Which of the following does Miami 21 address:

a. Unified development
b. Form based zoning
c. Cumulative zoning
d. Euclidean zoning

Answer 35

Miami 21 is a form based code, guided by the tenants of Smart Growth and New Urbanism.
The correct answer is: Form based zoning

Question 36

The visioning process allows for early citizen involvement, impartial leadership, all inclusive citizen participation, and…

a. Heavy media involvement
b. Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats analysis
c. A short-term planning mentality
d. Fundraising

Answer 36

The visioning process allows for early citizen involvement, impartial leadership, all inclusive citizen participation, and heavy media involvement.
The correct answer is: Heavy media involvement

Question 37

You have been invited by the planning school in your region to give a lecture on the Land Based Classification Standards (LBCS). You want to make sure that the students have a strong understanding of how these standards aid in creating a consistent understanding across communities. Which of the following do you emphasize in your lecture?

I. LBCS emphasizes activities based on observable character
II. LBCS emphasizes site development character in the overall physical development
III. LBCS has a five dimension nine color code
IV. LBCS emphasizes the role of the planner in negotiating development schemes

Select one:

a. I only
b. I and II
c. I, II and, III
d. I, II, III, and IV

Answer 37

The Land Based Classification Standards help planners with a model for classifying land uses. LBCS Classifies land uses across five dimensions. For local planning purposes, LBCS calls for classifying land uses in the following dimensions: Activity, Function, Structure Type, Site Development Character, and Ownership.
The correct answer is: I, II and, III

Question 38

Who wrote "Edgeless City" in 2002?
A. Robert Lang
B. Joel Garreau  
C. Peter Calthorpe
D. Andres Duany

Answer 38

Robert Lang wrote Edgeless City in 2002. Edgeless cities are a suburban, sprawling from of development that accounts for much of the office space found outside of downtowns.
The correct answer is: Robert Lang