Plan Implementation

Question 1

Planning Staff

Answer 1

Responsible for reviewing applications and writing reports

Question 2

Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z)

Answer 2

Issues recommendations in matters of zoning to the City Council or County Commissioners. Read staff reports, visit sites prior to meetings, etc.
Governing body appoints members that volunteer their time

Question 3

Board of Zoning Appeals

Answer 3

Quasi-judicial board that hears cases for variances, special exceptions to the zoning ordinance, and appeals of staff’s administration of the zoning ordinance.
Governing body appoints members that volunteer their time

Question 4

City Council (or County Commission)

Answer 4

Governing body of a city, has final say on zoning issues.

Question 5

Euclidean Zoning

Answer 5

Named after the city of Euclid, OH
Places the most protective restrictions on residential land uses, less on commercial uses and none on industrial uses

Question 6

Cumulative Zoning

Answer 6

Single family residential districts are the most exclusive, each successive zoning district allows all the uses from the previous zone.
Example: a single family house can be built in any zoning district but a factory can only be in an industrial district.

Question 7

Modified Cumulative Zoning

Answer 7

Provides a greater degree of protection than they could with cumulative zoning.

Question 8

Conditional vs Permitted Uses

Answer 8

Permitted: no permission needed
Conditional: permission needed from the city

Question 9

Nonconforming use

Answer 9

Property uses that existed prior to the adoption of district regulations and is allowed to continue under the “grandfather clause”

Question 10

Amortization

Answer 10

Sets a definite period of time within which a nonconforming use must come into compliance

Question 11

Planned Unit Development (PUDs)

Answer 11

Unique zoning tool that can offer an alternative to strict zoning regulations. Typically used for large developments that includes a mix of uses.

Question 12

Big-box retail

Answer 12

generally 50,000 square feet or larger

Question 13

Floor Area Ratio (FAR)

Answer 13

Ratio of buildings total floor area (gross) over the size of the land.
FAR of 0.1 would mean that a 10,000 sf lot the building could have no more than 1,000 sf

Question 14

Progressive tax

Answer 14

Tax rate increases as income rises

Question 15

Proportional tax

Answer 15

Tax rate is the same regardless of income

Question 16

Regressive tax

Answer 16

Tax rate decreases as income rises

Question 17

Conformance-based evaluation

Answer 17

Sees planning as having the ability to control future development. The more outcomes conform with plans the more successful the plan has been

Question 18

Performance-based evaluation

Answer 18

Views plans as decision-making tools more in line with the incrementalism. End-state goals are not the main concern.