Plan Making and Implementation

Question 1

What population estimation method uses building permits to estimate current population?

Answer 1

Symptomatic

Symptomatic approach would give the best estimate.

Question 2

How is the official unemployment rate calculated?

Answer 2

Individuals unemployed divided by individuals 16 years of age and older in the labor force.

The BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics: www.bls.gov) does a phone survey of 55,800 households. They ask, “Are you employed?” If yes, you are employed and in the labor force. If no, they ask, “Have you been actively seeking work (ASW) in the last four weeks?” ASW means answering a want ad, contacting an employment agency, or the equivalent. If yes, you are counted as in the labor force and as officially unemployed. If no, and you say you do want to work, you are called a “discouraged worker.”

Question 3

A 2.5-acre downtown site is approved with a floor area ratio (FAR) of 6. Approximately how many stories of the building could be built on an acre of the site if 60% of the site will be required for onsite stormwater treatment, parking, sidewalks, and landscaping?

Answer 3

15 stories

A floor area ratio of 6 would allow for a six-story building if 100% of the site was occupied. If only 40% of the site is available for development then a 15 story building could be built on the site.

2.5 acres is 108,900 square feet. We have a floor area ratio of 6. 108,900 X 6 = 653,400 is the total developable floor area we can have.

In this case, only 40% of the site is available for development. 1 acre is 40% of 2.5 acres. One acre is 43,560 square feet. Divide 653,400 by 43,560 = 15 stories.

Question 4

More open citizen participation and the preparation of environmental impact statements were two significant requirements established by which of the following acts?

Answer 4

National Environmental Policy Act

NEPA requires that public involvement is coordinated throughout the NEPA process. Early and ongoing opportunities for public engagement should occur throughout the project. The public should be involved in the identification of social, economic and environmental impacts, as well as impacts associated with the relocation of individuals, groups or institutions. Reasonable notice of any public hearings is required.

Question 5

What is an analysis of the relationship between two variables called?

Answer 5

Regression Analysis

A regression compares the relationship between two or more variables. For example, the volume of traffic is based on land uses and type of roadway.

Question 6

What is a best practice to engage citizens in a planning process?

Answer 6

Neighborhood meetings.

Engagement includes opportunities for interaction.

TV ads, letters in utility bills, and newsletters are options to inform the public, no engage them.

Question 7

What measures the degree to which two variables are related?

Answer 7

Coefficient of Correlation

Question 8

What methods can be used to preserve agricultural land?

Answer 8

I. Agricultural Zoning
II. Transfer of Development Rights
III. Purchase of Development Rights
IV. Right to Farm Ordinance

Question 9

What is the probability of an event that is certain to happen?

Answer 9

1

Probabilities range from 0 to 1. Zero stands for an event that is impossible, while 1 stands for an event that is certain. A probability of .5 is for an event that has a 50-50 chance of happening.

Question 10

Which of the following planning figures is associated with the GIS concept of overlay?

Answer 10

Ian McHarg

Ian McHarg pioneered the concept of overlay in his book Design with Nature.

Question 11

What is an effective way to generate citizen participation around a comprehensive planning process?

Answer 11

Develop a multi-faceted participation program including neighborhood meetings, an open house, and other opportunities.

Question 12

As the director of a non-profit housing advocacy organization that is growing, you realize that your organization needs to transform. You want your staff to work together to discuss the organizational topics that are most relevant to them. Because you want this to be a staff-driven conversation, you choose which participatory method?

Answer 12

Open Space

Open Space allows for people to propose topics to discuss and those who are interested choose to participate in that dialogue. The groups prepare summaries of their discussion to share with the entire group.

Question 13

What is the most important element of a contract for consulting work?

Answer 13

List of milestones

This makes it clear the expectations of the consultant.

Question 14

What elements are included in a contract for consulting work?

Answer 14

1. List of milestones.
2. Payment schedule.
3. Consultant name.
4. Contract price.

Question 15

What does ZIP Code stand for?

Answer 15

Zone Improvement Plan Code

Question 16

Which term is used to describe an area with multiple-cities with a combined population of more than 10 million inhabitants?

Answer 16

Megalopolis

A megalopolis is defined as an extensive metropolitan area or a long chain of roughly continuous metropolitan areas. The term was first used in the United States by Jean Gottmann in 1957, to describe the huge urban area along the Eastern seaboard of the U.S. from Boston, Massachusetts to Washington, D.C.

Question 17

Upfront purchase costs, operating, and long-term maintenance costs should be considered in which of the following budgeting techniques?

Answer 17

Capital Improvement Plan

Question 18

Define Planning Programming Budget System

Answer 18

PPBS is about linking planning and budgeting and making the budget reflect objectives, strategies, and plans.

Question 19

What is performance budgeting?

Answer 19

Performance budgeting ties budgets to performance objectives.

Question 20

What is zero-based budgeting?

Answer 20

Zero-based budgeting starts from a “zero base,” and every function within an organization is analyzed for its needs and costs.

Question 21

What are challenges for planners seeking to undertake a telephone survey?

Answer 21

I. They exclude those using only mobile phones
II. They are expensive
III. They leave out those without phone service
IV. It can be difficult to reach people who screen calls

Telephone surveys have become an increasingly difficult form of surveying as people do not consistently use land lines and people often screen their calls.

Question 22

What is the largest tribal land holding in acres?

Answer 22

16 million

The Navajo tribe holds 16 million acres across New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah.

Question 23

What is the difference between the lowest and highest score on an exam?

Answer 23

Range

Question 24

The city’s floor area ratio requirements are 2.0 in the downtown. If a property owner has a ¼ acre site, what is the maximum building size?

Answer 24

21,780 square feet.

To solve this problem first divide 43560 by 4 to get the number of square feet in 1/4 of an acre. Next multiply 10,890 by 2.0 to get the maximum building size.