Masterplanning

Question 1

Basic 9 steps of the planning process

Answer 1

1. Identify issues
2. State Goals and Objectives
3. Collect and interpret data
4. Prepare plans
5. Draft Program for Plan Implementation
6. Evaluate Impacts of Plans and Implementation Program
7. Review and Adopt plans
8. Review and adopt implementation programs
9. Administer Implementation Program

Question 2

Differences between a comprehensive and a strategic plan

Answer 2

Comprehensive plans are broad and sometimes general, covering a range of topics that might be related to the area or function of the plan. Strategic plans consider only the topics and relationships that have a direct relevancy to the subject of the plan.

Question 3

What are considered as essentials topics of a comprehensive plan?

Answer 3

Land use, transportation, housing, and community facilities

Question 4

In addition to land use, transportation, housing, and community facilities, what other topics might be covered on a comprehensive plan?

Answer 4

Economic development
Historic preservation
Natural hazard
Farmland preservation
Parks, recreation, and open space
Urban Design

Question 5

Examples of typical data needed for base plan information

Answer 5

Base maps, aerial photographs, GIS map layers

Question 6

Typical Natural Environment data needed for plan preparation

Answer 6

Climate, topography, soils, vegetation, water features, habitat areas, natural hazards

Question 7

Typical Existing land use data needed for plan preparation

Answer 7

residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, open-space lands, vacant urban lands, farmlands

Question 8

Typical Housing data needed for plan preparation

Answer 8

Inventory of housing, housing condition, vacancy rate, affordability

Question 9

Typical Transportation data needed for plan preparation

Answer 9

Street network, street capacity, traffic flow volumes, parking supply and demand, transit facilities by mode, bicycle networks, pedestrian networks

Question 10

Typical public utilities data needed for plan preparation

Answer 10

Water supply, wastewater disposal, stormwater management, solid waste management, telecommunication services

Question 11

Typical Community services data needed for plan preparation

Answer 11

Administrative centres, education facilities, parks and recreation facilities, health services, public safety facilities

Question 12

Typical Population and Employment data needed for plan preparation

Answer 12

Population size, population characteristics, vital statistics, labour force characteristics

Question 13

Typical local economic data needed for plan preparation

Answer 13

Employment, retail sales, cost of living

Question 14

Typical special topics data needed for plan preparation

Answer 14

Historic sites and buildings, archeological sites, urban design features, existing zoning

Question 15

Reasons to prepare a comprehensive plan

Answer 15

View the “big picture”
Coordinate local decision making
Give guidance to landowners and developers
Establish a sound basis in fact fact for decisions
Involve a broad array of interest in a discussion about the long-range future
Build an informed constituency

Question 16

Required elements of a comprehensive plan

Answer 16

Land use, transportation, community facilities (inc. utilities and parks and open space), housing, economic development, critical and sensitive areas, natural hazards, agricultural lands

Question 17

A statement describing formally what the community wants to become. May be enhanced with measurable objectives for each goal.

Answer 17

Vision Statement / Goals and Objectives Statement

Question 18

SWOT Analysis

Answer 18

Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT)

(Opportunities, problems, advantages, and disadvantages

Question 19

Land Use Plan

Answer 19

[define] Page 7 Steiner

Question 20

What is the relationship between an urban design plan and a comprehensive plan?

Answer 20

And urban design plan give 3D physical form to policies described in a comprehensive plan

Question 21

Key elements of an urban design plan

Answer 21

The urban plan, the preparation of design guidelines for buildings, the design of the public realm

Question 22

At what point would a slope be considered “steep”

Answer 22

15%

Question 23

When completing a slope analysis, what topographies should you look for

Answer 23

Steep slopes and flat areas

Question 24

What would work (and not work) on a moderate slope (5-15%)?

Answer 24

Split level or terraced structures work for moderate slopes, recreational fields and parking would not be a good choice

Question 25

When analyzing the site topography, what elements should you look for

Answer 25

Slopes (low, moderate, steep), high points and low points

Question 26

What topographic features best suit the placement of important buildings, public walks and trails and what component of the analysis do these areas make the best use of?

Answer 26

Feature: High points and ridge lines (utilizing viewsheds)

Question 27

What soil types are best suited for siting structures?

Answer 27

Adequate load bearing capacity, avoid poorly drained soils and wetlands

Question 28

What shows evidence of a poorly draining soil

Answer 28

Find answer

Question 29

Best soils for recreational fields

Answer 29

Permeable soils (to provide drainage)

Question 30

What soils are best utilized for stormwater management?

Answer 30

Permeable soils

Question 31

Features to avoid in a floodplain

Answer 31

Enclosed structure and their appurtenances, entrance roads

Question 32

4 key criteria considered in site planning (in order of importance)

Answer 32

1. Access
2. Organization of the dominant land uses
3. Environmental protection
4. Circulation

Question 33

Key considerations when locating access points to a site

Answer 33

Safe distances from existing roadways/intersections and entrances to other properties.

Visibility (vegetation / topography)

Question 34

Methods for environmental protection

Answer 34

Minimize impacts on the land:

Avoid crossing or impacting surface water
avoid damage to existing vegetation

Question 35

Topographical factors for locating a stormwater pond

Answer 35

At the middle and lower elevations of a site

Question 36

Topographical considerations for slab on grade residential homes

Answer 36

Slopes less than 10%

Question 37

Key issues to consider for laying out recreational sites (5 steps)

Answer 37

1. Location and orientation
2. Access, circulation, and parking
3. Surfacing
4. Perimeter Containment
5. Support facilities

Question 38

Suitable sites for play structures

Answer 38

Flat area with a reasonable distance from hazards and reasonable distance to drinking water, restrooms, and other conveniences.

Question 39

Examples of opportunities on a site

Answer 39

Nice views, specimen trees, focal points, areas of water retention, edges of natural/cultivated landscapes

Question 40

What aspects of the site can be considered a constraint in the planning

Answer 40

A site element that reduces the functionality or aesthetics of the planning design/program.

Examples: junkyards, unsightly buildings/structures, road noise, poor draining soils, etc.