OBJ 2.2

Question 1

Form-Based Zoning Code

Answer 1

A type of code that addresses the relationship between building facades and the public realm, massing of the building, scale, and types of streets and blocks. Designates character rather than land use.

Question 2

Incentive Zoning

Answer 2

Allows developers and property owners greater development density or other bonuses if they agree to provide a community benefit in their project, such as a park, community center, affordable housing, or public art.

Question 3

Tax Increment Financing

Answer 3

Financing technique that freezes certain taxes on a proposed development at pre-construction levels. An additional tax increment is generated by the development if it is used to subsidize infrastructure or other approved community-based improvements that support development.

Question 4

Enterprise Zone

Answer 4

Specific geographical area that has been designated as blighted. This designation is used to encourage developers and business owners to develop a business in the zone through favorable tax policies, regulatory relief, or financial assistance.

Question 5

PUD

Answer 5

Planned unit development; reserved for larger-scale development parcels. These offer the ability to arrange land uses and cluster density with greater flexibility than allowed in conventional zoning districts.

Question 6

Frontage

Answer 6

Frontage is an open area adjacent to a building. Buildings with frontage can increase their area because the frontage allows greater access to the building by the fire department.

Question 7

FAR

Answer 7

FAR is the ratio of building square footage to site square footage. Zoning ordinances will control the size of the building to be constructed through use of the FAR multiplier. (For example, on a 10,000 square foot site that allows a FAR of 5, the building could have a maximum total floor area of 50,000 square feet.)

Question 8

Setback

Answer 8

The distance between a building and its property line as prescribed by local zoning code. Provides air and light to yards, streets, and adjacent properties, generally increasing with building height.

Question 9

Permitted Zoning Envelope

Answer 9

Buildable area and volume for a site, after all setbacks, height restrictions, FAR, etc. are taken into account.

Question 10

Footprint

Answer 10

The specific portion of a site taken up by the building. Zoning codes concerning setbacks will dictate the maximum allowable footprint.

Question 11

Maximum Building Height

Answer 11

Commonly expressed as a number of feet or stories, this varies among districts in relation to the types of uses allowed and in proportion to the maximum density or intensity allowed, commonly starting at 30–35 feet in single-family residential districts.

Question 12

Maximum Building Coverage

Answer 12

Usually expressed as a percentage of lot area, this limits the size of the building’s “footprint.”

Question 13

Appeal and Variance Provisions

Answer 13

These provisions set forth the processes by which aggrieved parties may appeal alleged errors in administrative decisions, including interpretations to the zoning board, and by which a zoning board can relax normally applicable standards in certain conditions.

Question 14

Permitted Accessory Use

Answer 14

Incidental or subordinate to the district’s permitted “principal” uses.

Question 15

Eminent Domain

Answer 15

The power of the state to take private property for public use. Property owners are compensated for the property at fair market value.

Question 16

True or false: There are universal terms and procedures for zoning that all communities use.

Answer 16

False. Zoning is local, and different communities often have different terms and procedures. For examples, some communities may readily grant variances, and some might not.

Question 17

Rezone

Answer 17

In land use, rezoning occurs when a property is reclassified as a different zone. Rezoning thus changes the potential use and regulations that apply to the site.

Question 18

Comprehensive Plan

Answer 18

In addition to zoning laws, communities often develop and publish comprehensive plans with visions for developments within their community. Also known as a master plan or land-use plan.

Question 19

Moratorium

Answer 19

Cities sometimes enact this temporary ban on new planning applications.

Question 20

Spot Zoning

Answer 20

Zoning a property differently than surrounding properties for the purpose of benefiting the landowner. Generally unlawful.

Question 21

Municipal/Municipality

Answer 21

These terms refer to a city, particularly its government.

Question 22

Rain Garden

Answer 22

A shallow planted depression in a landscape designed to capture and treat stormwater runoff.

Question 23

Infiltration Basin

Answer 23

An infiltration basin is a shallow depression that holds stormwater and allows it to percolate back into the soil through a drain tile system. Can be shaped like a pond or a trench.

Question 24

The best filter for treating wastewater

Answer 24

The natural processes of the earth.

Question 25

Storm Water Control Devices

Answer 25

Curb and gutter, infiltration basins, retention ponds (also called wet ponds), detention ponds (also called dry ponds), swales, rain gardens, channels, culverts, and wet vaults.

Question 26

Zoning

Answer 26

Regulations at the local level concerning how land is used and developed. Zoning regulations in U.S. communities are founded on the New York City zoning ordinances first enacted in 1916. Houston is an example of a major city without zoning ordinances.

Question 27

Abutting

Answer 27

Two properties or zoning districts that have a common boundary.

Question 28

Access

Answer 28

The approach or the way to enter the property. Access includes ingress (the right to enter) and egress (the right to leave). In zoning regulations, recorded lots are required to have direct access to a public street or highway or to a private street that meets public standards.

Question 29

Amortization

Answer 29

The process by which nonconforming uses and structures must be discontinued or made to conform to the requirements of the current zoning ordinance at the end of a specified period.

Question 30

Annex

Answer 30

Incorporation of land into an existing district or municipality, with a change in the boundaries of the annexing jurisdiction.

Question 31

Conditional Use Permit

Answer 31

Discretionary permit issued by a hearing body to allow a use that may or may not be allowable under the zoning code. The developer must meet certain conditions to harmonize the project with its surroundings.

Question 32

Developable Land

Answer 32

Land suitable as a location for structures that can be developed free of impact on natural resource areas near the project.

Question 33

Encroachment

Answer 33

Any obstruction or protrusion into a right of way or adjacent property. This could be on land or above it.

Question 34

Greenbelt

Answer 34

A band of countryside surrounding a city, on which building is generally prohibited.

Question 35

Highest and Best Use

Answer 35

Use of a property that will bring the greatest profit to its owners. Owners are not necessarily entitled to the best use, especially when it could have a negative effect on the use and enjoyment of neighboring properties.

Question 36

Floodplain Fringe

Answer 36

All land between the floodway and the upper elevation of the 100-year flood.

Question 37

Covenant

Answer 37

A private legal restriction that places a burden on a parcel of land in favor of another parcel. This restriction is recorded in the deed. Subdivisions most often use this to restrict the development of certain uses.

Question 38

Improved Land

Answer 38

Raw land where basic utilities such as roads, sewers, water lines, and other public utilities have been added. Structures may already exist here.

Question 39

Inclusionary Zoning

Answer 39

Locally adopted regulatory program requiring that a specific percentage of housing in a development remains affordable for a specified period to households defined as moderate, low, and very low.

Question 40

Infrastructure

Answer 40

Public services like sewage disposal systems, water supply systems, utility systems, schools, roads, bike and pedestrian facilities, and transit systems.

Question 41

Levy

Answer 41

Imposition of taxes, special assessments, or service charges to pay for public programs or facilities; the total amount of taxes, special assessments, or service charges supporting public programs and facilities.

Question 42

Lot Line Adjustment

Answer 42

Adjustment of a lot line between two or more existing parcels in which land taken from one parcel is added to an adjacent parcel and in which a greater number of parcels than originally existed are thereby not created.

Question 43

Neighborhood Park

Answer 43

Publicly owned land intended to serve the recreational needs of people within a half-mile radius of the park.

Question 44

Neighborhood Unit

Answer 44

Planning concept, developed by Clarence Perry, stating that cities should be built to consist of self-contained residential areas bounded by major roads, with shops at the center of intersections and schools in the middle. The size limit of the unit is between 6,000 and 10,000 inhabitants.

Question 45

Net Acreage

Answer 45

The portion of a site that can actually be built upon. ROWs , public open space, and floodways are not included.

Question 46

NIMBY

Answer 46

Acronym for “not in my back yard.” Used to discuss opposition to development based on personal self-interest rather than the greater good of the community.

Question 47

Off-site Improvements

Answer 47

Conditions that can be required for a project involving the installation of streets, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, trees, etc. that are located adjacent to the project on public property.

Question 48

Open Space Land

Answer 48

Parcel or area of land or water that is essentially unimproved and devoted to an open space for the preservation of natural resources, production of resources, outdoor recreation, or public health and safety.

Question 49

Parking Ratio

Answer 49

Number of parking spaces provided per 1,000 square feet of floor area (e.g., 2.1 = 2 per 1,000 square feet ).

Question 50

Peak Hour

Answer 50

For roadways, this identifies a daily period in which traffic volume is at its highest, usually during commuting periods.

Question 51

Regional Park

Answer 51

Park that is typically 150–500 acres in size, focusing on activities and natural features not included in most other types of parks and based on a specific scenic or recreational opportunity.

Question 52

Relocation Permit

Answer 52

A permit issued by a locality to allow a building to be moved to a lot within it, if the building is to cross a public street, alley, or easement.

Question 53

Rezoning

Answer 53

Amendment to the map or text of a zoning ordinance to effect a change in the nature, density, or intensity of uses allowed in a zoning district or designated parcel or land area.

Question 54

Sign Permit

Answer 54

This permit allows for a sign to be erected in compliance with stated policies or conditions.

Question 55

Smart Growth Principles

Answer 55

1. Mix land uses. 2. Take advantage of compact building designs. 3. Create a range of housing opportunities and choices. 4. Create walkable neighborhoods. 5. Foster distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place. 6. Preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty, and critical environmental areas. 7. Strengthen and direct development toward existing communities. 8. Provide a variety of transportation choices. 9. Make development decisions predictable, fair, and cost-effective. 10. Encourage community and stakeholder collaboration in development decisions.

Question 56

Street Right of Way

Answer 56

Publicly owned land that contains both the street and a strip of land on either side of it, with facilities such as sidewalks, sewers, and storm drains.

Question 57

Strip Zoning

Answer 57

Zone normally consisting of a ribbon of uses fronting both sides of a major street and extending inward for approximately half a block. Strip commercial development is most common for this type of zoning.