Final Flashcards
What is Vertical Consistency?
the connection between planning & zoning and deals with how well the zoning ordinance matches the goals of the Master (General) Plan.
What three items must Vertical Consistency follow.
General plan – policy with a map
Zoning – regulation with a map
Permitting – entitlement to land-use
The connection between the zone and permit has to be a very strong consistency.
What are the two types of Permitting
As of use right
Conditional use permit
What is a as of use right permit?
uses allowed by zoning ordinance. Allowed without special permission.
What is a conditional use permit?
Specific uses allowed based on meeting certain criteria designated in zoning ordinance. Typically, church, school, or other public use.
What is a Variance
Permission granted on a case by case basis to allow development despite development standards or zoning. A variance allows property owners to prove that relief from the Zoning ordinance is needed. Variances provide relief from unnecessary hardships that arise because of special conditions applicable to the affected parcel.
What 6 elements need to happen to Qualify for a Variance
1) Unnecessary hardship
2) Not caused by applicant
3) Unique physical character
4) Needed for reasonable use
5) Doesn’t alter essential characteristic of the zone or impair the use of adjacent property
6) Least intrusive
What is a Nonconforming Uses
A land use that was in existence when a Zoning restriction was adopted, but is now prohibited by that restriction
What does it take to create a nonconforming use?
Zoning changes or enactments that makes an existing use nonconforming. Use was established before the zoning was enacted. Would the nonconforming use be terminated because of a nuisance? It may.
How can a property lose a non conforming use
- A property owner’s right to continue a nonconforming use may be lost by abandonment.
a. Cessation – (Utah requires one year)
b. Intent to abandon - Expansion- this is almost always not allowed. Local laws often prohibit the enlargement, alteration, or extension of a nonconforming use.
- Amortization- Ordinance that phases out certain non-conforming uses over a designated time period. Amortization, phase out or reduce over time. Individualized assessment
- Phasing out
- Useful life: ROI
Purpose of subdividing land
- Implement standards of zoning ordinance.
- Ensure the orderly growth and development of communities.
- preventive measures intended to avert community blight
- land-use controls that govern the division of land
- to support the health, safety, welfare of community.
What is subdiving
To take a larger parcel of land and divide it up into smaller sections and puting restrictions on it for what it may be used for
what is the Fair Housing Act?
Protects against housing discrimination based on characteristics race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, and familial status.
Governmental decision to provide differential treatment: does it have a discriminatory impact? (disparate impact) does the decision fall disproportionately on a suspect/protected class?
Classes are spelled out race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, and disability.
When there is a claim of discrimination, what must a plaintiff show?
- Differential treatment between those who are similar
- Based on protected class status
- Impact, must show it made impact
What must the government show in response to the FHA issue?
- Compelling governmental interest- the differential treatment serves a compelling governmental interest.
- Narrowly tailored - The method chosen cannot be broad
- A compelling public interest with no effective alternative for achieving their goal
How does a FHA claim different from an Equal Protection-based claim?
It is based on discriminatory intent as opposed to disparate impact.
Accommodations in public permitting for persons with disabilities
Under what circumstances must they be granted?
1) Reasonable: No fundamental change in program—any local zoning standards for normal permitting processes. Must provide adequate rational for a fundamental change or reasoned result.
2) Necessary: “but for” they are being denied. There are no other options.
3) Access to housing opportunities: handicapped has a right to choose housing of their choice.