Plan Types Flashcards
A plan is
a plan is “an adopted statement of policy, in the form of text, maps, and graphics, used to guide public and private actions that affect the future. A plan provides decision makers with the information they need to make informed decisions affecting the long-range social, economic, and physical growth of a community.” (pg
Comprehensive Plans are used to
Organize large-scale processes
Coordinate decision-making at the local level
Provide general guidance to landowners, developers and other stakeholders
Promote informed decision-making
Establish direction and consensus related to future development
Comprehensive Plans typically address
Land use
Economic development
Natural and cultural resources (including hazards)
Housing
Transportation
Utilities
Community demographics
Community facilities (including parks)
Land Use Plans
Land use plans describe future possibilities for development within a defined planning area (e.g., neighborhood, district, city, etc.), as such they are typically located within a larger comprehensive plan document. Note that the primary purpose of land use planning is the regulation of land uses, with the goal of preventing conflicts between competing uses (e.g., a daycare located next to an oil refinery). Within the context of the United States, land use is typically controlled via zoning
Regional Plans
regional plans are distinct in that they cover geographic areas (“regions”) that cross the jurisdiction of more than one governmental unit. Regions can be defined according to numerous criteria (e.g., watershed boundaries, a transportation network, a metropolitan region), with the caveat that the region is defined by some sort of unifying or coherent framework. Because of this, the precise contents of regional plans will vary according to how a region is defined (e.g., watershed vs. regional sewer district). However, all regional plans will contain maps, as well as an implementation program
Regional Plans are composed of
An implementation schedule
Development criteria
Monitoring and evaluation
Coordination between governmental units
Proposed legislative changes
Urban Plans
Urban plans are similar to comprehensive plans in that they are a holistic tool used to plan for future development and community needs. However, whereas comprehensive plans rely upon two-dimensional plans, urban plans typically use three-dimensional design drawings to explore ideas and describe potential design concepts. Three-dimensional drawings are emphasized in urban plans not only because these documents typically address a smaller geographical area than comprehensive plans (thus allowing the drawings to address a higher level of detail), but also because urban plans are most concerned with issues that cannot be suitably addressed in two-dimensional drawings, such as building massing and shadow studies
Urban Plans are used to
Create a holistic vision for the future
Develop implementation strategies for proposed development and other short- and long-range initiatives
Improve design quality across a specific district
Market a specific district to development interests
Facilitate compromise between competing interests
Urban Plans typically contain
Executive summary
Description of existing conditions
Analysis drawings
Summary of strengths and weaknesses
Development program (including market studies)
Urban design plan and perspective renderings
Street framework plan (including section drawings)
Open space framework plan
Design guidelines (including massing, height, building setbacks, architectural styles, parking, streetscapes, signage and materials)
Implementation plan
Neighborhood plans
Neighborhood plans are similar to urban plans, in that they translate the concerns of a comprehensive plan to a smaller scale. Yet, whereas urban plans are typically most concerned with urban design elements for a special district (e.g., building massing in a downtown area), neighborhood plans are used to address detailed goals, policies, and guidelines related to land uses in a specific neighborhood. Defining the boundaries of a neighborhood is therefore a critical aspect of this plan document. Due to their specificity, neighborhood plans will often include suggested amendments to existing zoning and design guidelines for specific streets, as well as code enforcement and public maintenance. As such, neighborhood plans are typically regarded as addressing issues across a 1- to 2-year timeframe and are subject to frequent updates
Site Master plans
Site master plans can be understood as a document (with accompanying concept-level plans) that addresses much of the content of a comprehensive plan, but at the scale of a site
Primary goals of site master plan
Outlining a phased growth plan for future site development
Identifying maximum development potential for a site
Highlighting critical cultural and environmental resources on a site and ensure that future development preserves these site assets
Considering how sustainable site design measures can be incorporated
Incorporate public feedback into site development
