Land Use Controls & Regulations Flashcards
Goals of Land Use Control
- Preservation of Property Values
- Promotion of the highest and best use of property
- Balance between individual property rights and the public good
- Control of growth to remain within infrastructure capabilities
- Incorporation of community consensus into regulatory and planning activities
Three Phase Process to Achieve Land Usage Goals
- Development of a master plan for the jurisdiction
- Administration of the plan by a municipal, county, or regional planning committee
- Implementation of the plan through public control of zoning, building codes, permits and other measures
The Master Plan
Public land use planning incorporates long-term usage strategies and growth policies. The land use plan must not only reflect the needs of the local area, but also conform to state and federal environmental laws and the plans of regional and state planning agencies. The master plan therefore fuses state and regional land use laws with local land use objectives that correspond to the municipality’s social and economic conditions.
Amount of Growth
A master plan sets specific guidelines on how much growth the jurisdiction will allow. While all communities desire a certain degree of growth, too much growth can overwhelm services and infrastructure. To formulate a growth strategy, a plan initially forecasts growth trends, then estimates how well the municipality can keep pace with the growth forecast.
A Growth Plan Considers:
- nature, location and extent of permitted uses
- availability of sanitation facilities
- adequacy of drainage, waste collection, and potable water systems
- adequacy of utilities companies
- adequacy and patterns of thoroughfares
- housing availability
- conservation of natural resources
- adequacy of recreational facilities
- ability and willingness of the community to absorb new taxes, bond issues, and assessments
Growth Patterns
In addition to the quantity of growth, a master plan also defines what type of growth will occur, and where.
Growth Patterns Major Considerations
- the type of enterprises and developments to allow
- residential density and commercial intensity
- effects of industrial and commercial land uses on residential and public sectors, i.e., where to allow such uses
- effect of new developments on traffic patterns and thoroughfares
- effects on the environment and environmental quality (air, water,
soil, noise, visual aspects) - effect on natural resources that support the community
- code specifications for specific construction projects
Accommodating Demand
As the master plan sets forth guidelines for how much growth will be allowed, it must also make plans for accommodating expanding or contracting demand for services and infrastructure.
Accommodating Demand Plan Identification
- facilities requirements for local government
- new construction requirements for streets, schools, and social
services facilities such as libraries, civic centers, etc. - new construction required to provide power, water and sewer services
Plan Development
In the course of planning, they analyze
- population and demographic trends
- economic trends
- existing land use
- existing support facilities
- traffic patterns
Planning Departments
Where public land use management takes place within. These departments are responsible for:
- long-term implementation of the master plan
- creating rules and restrictions that support plans and policies
- enforcing and administering land use regulation on an everyday
basis
The Planning Commission
In most jurisdictions, a planning board comprised of officials appointed by the government’s legislative entity handles the planning function. Responsible for:
- approving site plans and subdivision plans
- approving building permits
- ruling on zoning issues
Police Power
At the local level, county and city governments control land use through authority
Examples of Public Land Use Controls
- subdivision regulations
- building codes
- eminent domain
- environmental restrictions
- development requirements
Eminent Domain
allows a government entity to purchase a fee, leasehold, or easement interest in privately owned real property for the public good and for public use, regardless of the owner’s desire to sell or otherwise transfer any interest.
Enabling Acts
The Constitution grants the states the legal authority to regulate, and the states delegate the authority to counties and municipalities through legislation
Zoning Ordinance
a regulation enacted by the local government. The intent of zoning ordinances is to specify land usage for every parcel within the jurisdiction.
Zoning Ordinances typically address…
- the nature of land use– office, commercial, residential, etc.
- size and configuration of a building site, including setbacks, sidewalk requirements, parking requirements, and access
- site development procedures
- construction and design methods and materials, including height restrictions, building-to-site area ratios, and
architectural styles - use of space within the building
- signage
Ordinance Validity
Local planners do not have unlimited authority to do whatever they want. Their zoning ordinances must be clear in import, apply to all parties equally, and promote health, safety, and welfare of the community in a reasonable manner.
Building Permits
Local governments enforce zoning ordinances by issuing these to those who want to improve, repair, or refurbish a property. To receive one, the project must comply with all relevant ordinances and codes. Further zoning enforcement is achieved through periodic inspections.
Types of Zones
- residential
- commercial
- industrial
- agricultural
- public
- planned unit development (PUD)
Residential Zoning
Residential zoning restricts land use to private, non-commercial dwellings. Sub-zones in this category further stipulate the types of residences allowed, whether single-family, multi-unit complexes, condominiums, publicly subsidized housing, or other form of housing.
Residential Zoning Regulates:
- density, by limiting the number and size of dwelling units and lots in an area
- values and aesthetics, by limiting the type of residences allowed. Some areas adopt buffer zones to separate residential areas from commercial and industrial zones.
Commercial Zoning
regulates the location of office and retail land usage. Some commercial zones allow combinations of office and retail uses on a single site. Sub-zones in this category may limit the type of retail or office activity permitted, for example, a department store versus a strip center.
Commercial Zoning Regulations
- intensity of usage, by limiting the area of store or office per site area. Intensity regulation is further achieved by minimum parking requirements, setbacks, and building height restrictions.
Industrial Zoning Regulates:
- intensity of usage
- type of industrial activity
- environmental consequences
Agricultural Zoning Restrictions
Restricts land use to farming, ranching, and other agricultural enterprises.
Public Zoning Restrictions
restricts land use to public services and recreation. Parks, post offices, government buildings, schools, and libraries are examples of uses allowed in a public zone.