Pre Test Flashcards
The case of Mugler v. Kansas found that while a person has the right to make alcohol for their own use, such a right can be conditioned on its effect on others. Which constitutional principle was tested in this case?
a. 14th Amendment
b. 2nd Amendment
c. 1st Amendment
d. 5th Amendment
A) 14th Amendment
The U.S. Supreme Court found that a Kansas prohibition law did not infringe on 14th Amendment rights and that the state legislature may exercise police powers.
Which of the following amendments to the United States Constitution prohibits governments from taking private property without just compensation?
a. First
b. Second
c. Fifth
d. Fourteenth
C) The Fifth Amendment provides that, “No person shall be…deprived of…property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation”.
As a borderlands planner, you are working on a joint development proposal between a community in Texas and Mexico. The development proposal is presented in hectares. You are trying to calculate the project to ensure it meets the U.S. zoning regulations. How many acres are in one hectare?
a. 2.47
b. 2.48
c. 2.49
d. 2.5
A) There are 2.47 acres in a hectare.
As a planner for the regional planning agency, you are working on a food systems plan. You want to emphasize the importance of agricultural land to support the region’s food needs. You report that on a per household basis: it takes ________ acres of land to feed the U.S. population.
D) Two acres is sufficient to feed a household of four using the bio-intensive method of agriculture.
Over the last 30 years, a commercial district has fallen into serious disrepair. You are working with neighborhood leaders to encourage the conversion of underutilized commercial buildings to housing in this historic area. Which would be the best to encourage?
a. Adaptive reuse
b. Historic Restoration
c. Rehabilitation of historic buildings
d. Reconstruction of historic buildings
A) Adaptive reuse is a process that adapts buildings for new uses while retaining their historic features.
As a growing suburban community, your city has had a difficult time keeping up with the demand for infrastructure. The City Council has asked you, as Planning Director, to come up with a plan to reduce the number of lots that become buildable each year. Which of the following techniques would be most appropriate to recommend?
Select one:
a. Adequate public facilities ordinance
b. Transfer of development rights
c. Planned unit development
d. Building permit moratorium
A) A public facilities ordinance allows the city to determine when infrastructure will be extended and maintain an adequate level of service. New building permits would not be issued unless the infrastructure is adequate.
Which of the following measures is the most commonly used for traffic volume?
Select one:
a. ADT
b. Vehicles per trip
c. LOS
d. VPM
A) Average daily traffic (ADT) volume is the number of vehicles that travel on a road in a typical day.
As a resident of a struggling neighborhood, you want to make sure the homes around you are kept up. After your neighbor moved out, you start by mowing the lawn and generally keeping up the property. Over time you take occupancy of the property, making repairs, and allowing your son to live in the home. You then continuously occupy the property for a period of ten years. You decide that you want to have the property legally transferred into your name, so you put forward the argument that you are legally entitled to this property. This is known as:
a. Squatting
b. Adverse possession
c. Adverse abandonment
d. Homesteading
A) Adverse possession is a method of acquiring title to a property by possession for a period of time, based on statute.
You are the Director of Planning for a neighborhood planning agency. You are responsible for organizing an advisory committee that will provide comments to the city on plans for redevelopment in the neighborhood. Who should be on this committee?
I. Neighborhood residents
II. Neighborhood business owners
III. Developers
a. I only
b. II only
c. I and II only
d. I, II, and III
D) I, II, and III: Involving all stakeholders is important in this type of planning process.
Advocacy planning did which of the following:
Select one:
a. Assisted low-income people in getting off welfare
b. Increased environmental regulations
c. Stopped urban renewal
d. Moved planning into the public eye
D) Moved planning into the public eye; Advocacy planning brought planning into the public eye and assisted in recognizing the different needs of interest groups in the community.
The Mayor is concerned about the affordability of housing in the city. She has asked you to undertake a study of housing in the city. As part of the report, which would be the best way to represent an affordability index?
a. The ratio of median home sales price to median salary for jobs in the city
b. The ratio of housing mortgages to mortgage defaults
c. A series of indicators, such as days on market, median sales price, and number of people applying for housing support
d. The ratio of median housing price to median income
D) The ratio of median housing price to median income shows how affordable or unaffordable a community may be. A ratio of greater than 2.5 would indicate that the housing may be unaffordable.
You are the Planning Director for a large city in Kansas. You are responsible for preparing a staff report for an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan that would allow affordable, multi-family housing in the downtown area. You are charged with providing compelling reasons for the council to approve the amendment.
Which of the following would you NOT include in your staff report?
Select one:
a. Discuss the need for affordable housing and requirements under state law to provide for affordable housing
b. Discuss how building affordable housing will attract more low-income people to live in the city
c. Discuss the need for affordable housing to be located close to downtown jobs
d. Discuss the need for affordable housing that is located near good public transportation connections
b. Discuss how building affordable housing will attract more low-income people to live in the city: If you are trying to encourage affordable housing, explaining that it will attract more low-income residents will feed into a fear rather than providing positive reasons to build more affordable housing.
Which is a true statement about local planning agency management?
a. Planning department accreditation has been around since the 1920s, and most planning departments are now accredited
b. Most planning departments are now working on accreditation, via promotion by the APA’s federal accreditation working group
c. Formalized accreditation programs do not yet exist for planning departments
d. The accreditation of planning departments would serve little purpose and is not really necessary
C) Formalized accreditation programs do not yet exist for planning departments
In PAS Report 582, “Local Planning Agency Management”, the authors argue that there is a need for professional accreditation of planning agencies. The report notes that accreditation already exists for park and recreation agencies, police departments, public health departments, and public schools.
One of the most widely written about demographic trends in the U.S. is that the population is aging. Which statement is most accurate about the population of older adults – those aged over 65?
a. The population of older adults is increasing, but not as rapidly as previously thought
b. The aging of America is fueled by more than 70 million baby boomers
c. Their population will increase from 10% to 30% by 2030
d. Their population will increase from 10% to 40% by 2030
B) The aging of America is fueled by more than 70 million baby boomers
America is aging. Older adults — 65 and over — represent 13 percent of the population today. By 2030, one in every five people (20%) living in the U.S. will be over the age of 65. This aging of America is fueled by 72 million baby boomers aging through the life cycle in combination with a profound increase in longevity.
Agins v. City of Tiburon established that a regulation is a taking if…
I. The regulation deprives a property of all its economically viable uses.
II. The regulation fails to advance a legitimate governmental interest.
III. The regulation temporarily deprives a property of an economically viable use.
IV. The regulation is not connected to the use of the land.
Select one:
a. I only
b. I and II only
c. I and III only
d. I, II, III, and IV
I and II only
A regulation is a taking if it deprives the property of all economic value and does not advance a governmental interest. A temporary deprivation does not cause a taking.
You work for the federal government and are focused on managing agricultural lands. You are preparing a report about land use generally in the U.S. and the role of agriculture in the United States. Which of the following is true?
a. Small family farms account for 50 percent of all U.S. farms.
b. Agriculture is the most frequent use of land in the United States with 1/2 of land used for crops and about 1/4 used for livestock grazing.
c. Agriculture is the most frequent use of land in the United States with 1/5 of land used for crops and just under 1/3 used for livestock grazing.
d. The amount of total land devoted to agricultural use continues to increase in the U.S. although the number of farms is declining.
C) Agriculture is the most frequent use of land in the United States with 1/5 of land used for crops and just under 1/3 used for livestock grazing.
The U.S. EPA reports on major trends in agriculture. Agriculture is the most frequent use of land in the United States with 1/5 of land used for crops and just under 1/3 used for livestock grazing. Because of urbanization the amount of land in agriculture is declining and there is a trend towards larger farm operations. Small family farms (less than $350,000 in GCFI) account for 90 percent of all U.S. farms.
As the county’s economic development director, you are looking for creative solutions to promote economic development in this largely agricultural county. You have convened a group of famers to promote agritourism. Which of the following would be most effective?
a. Offer a small grant to any farmer that would like to experiment with agritourism, to support the initial startup costs.
b. Encourage farmers along a key accessible corridor to collaborate on adding complementary agritourism activities to create a day trip to attract families from the adjacent metropolitan area.
c. Have the county create and operate an agritourism center at the county fairgrounds to attract tourists to visit the county.
d.Invite farmers from across the county to create agritourism activities and then offer to have the county pay for advertising in targeted markets.
B) Encourage farmers along a key accessible corridor to collaborate on adding complementary agritourism activities to create a day trip to attract families from the adjacent metropolitan area.
Effective agritourism attracts consumers who wish to experience agricultural. Joint marketing and planning can expand the impact of agritourism in a community. In this case encouraging direct economic benefit to farmers will be key, as well as having a clear destination for visitors.
As a planner for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, you are responsible for air pollution management planning. You are coordinating with the state to ensure that there is coordination among the various local and regional plans as part of the state air pollution implementation plan. In your review, which of the following would you expect to be integrated?
A. Regional Transportation Plans and Regional Transportation Improvement Programs
B. Regional Transportation Plans only
C. Regional Solid Waste Management Plan
D. All of these are correct
A) Regional Transportation Plans and Regional Transportation Improvement Programs
States are required to develop a state implementation plan (SIP) for air quality. These air quality plans must include the following: Provisions for ozone nonattainment areas, provisions for carbon monoxide nonattainment areas, provisions for particulate matter nonattainment, and provisions for designated nonattainment for sulfur oxides, nitrogen dioxide, or lead. Transportation is a major source of air pollution—for example carbon monoxide, which is required to be addressed as part of the state implementation plan. Regional transportation plans and improvement programs would be expected to be included in an SIP.
More information here: https://www.epa.gov/air-quality-implementation-plans/develop-air-quality-sip
Who was the first president of the American Society of Planning Officials?
a. Saul Alinsky
b. Lewis Mumford
c. Alfred Bettman
d.Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr
C) Alfred Bettman was the first president of ASPO. Alfred Bettman (1873-1945) was one of the key founders of modern urban planning. Zoning, as we know it today, can be attributed to his successful arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court, which resulted in the 1926 decision in favor of the Village of Euclid, Ohio versus Ambler Realty Company.
The concept of the “Comprehensive Plan,” as used in most cities across the U.S., was in no small part due to the work of Bettman and Ladislas Segoe on the “Cincinnati Plan.” Communities of all sizes across the U.S. may also thank Bettman for his part in creating the “Capital Improvements Budget.”
As the city’s accessibility coordinator you are preparing educational materials to provide to your citywide team in preparation for an audit of all city facilities. Your goal for the training is to make sure that the city employees understand the history and context in which the audit is being conducted. Which of the following statements correctly summarizes ADA history?
a. ADA passed in 1992 and has not been significantly amended since. Current regulations provide guidance for newly designed and constructed private residences.
b. ADA passed in 1994 and has not been significantly amended since. Current regulations provide guidance for newly designed and constructed commercial residences.
c. ADA passed in 1990 and was significantly amended in 2008. Current regulations are set in the 2010 Standards for Accessible Design, which replaced standards set in 1991.
d. ADA passed in 1996 and was significantly amended in 2010. Current regulations are set in the 2012 Standards for Accessible Design.
C) ADA passed in 1990 and was significantly amended in 2008. Current regulations are set in the 2010 Standards for Accessible Design, which replaced standards set in 1991.
The Americans with Disabilities Act passed in 1990. The ADA Amendments Act of 2008 overturned two controversial Supreme Court decisions and made the scope of the ADA more broad and inclusive. The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design set minimum requirements for newly designed and constructed or altered state and local government facilities, public accommodations, and commercial facilities to be readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities.
Amitai Etzioni proposed which of the following theories?
a. Incremental
b. Mixed scanning
c. Radical
d. Rational
B) Mixed scanning
You manage the site plan review process for the city of Plannersville. You have received a complete submission for a site plan for a 120 unit apartment complex on 15 acres. In reviewing the site plan you are looking for all of the following except:
Select one:
a. Zoning of the property
b. Location of stormwater drainage
c. Rent to be charged
d. Location of the site
C. Rent to be charged
When using ArcGIS, a planner can obtain mapping data from which of the following sources?
a. U.S. Census bureau
b. ESRI
c. U.S. Geological Survey
d. All of the above
D) All of the above
Which of the following statements is true regarding regional planning agencies?
a. Area wide planning organizations are not a separate layer of government
b. A regional planning agency is set up as a separate unit of government
c. There is a strong tradition of regional governance in the U.S.
d. Regional planning agencies are responsible for wetlands permitting
A) Area wide planning organizations are not a separate layer of government
Area wide planning organizations are not a separate layer of government. A regional planning agency develops regional plans and reviews regional impacts and projects. In some cases a local government may transfer some local government powers to a regional agency, but that is not usually the case.
Which of the following would a planner be least likely to use in their role in working for the U.S. Army as a planner?
a. Section 8 Vouchers
b. Joint Land Use Studies
c. Air Installation Compatible Use Zones
d. Base Realignment and Closure Act
A) Section 8 Vouchers
Section 8 vouchers are associated with providing housing subsidies for low-income people. This is not specific to a military base. BRAC refers to congressional actions that streamline military base operations. Air Installation Compatible Use Zones address land use coordination with local governments around the base. Joint Land Use Studies are a joint planning effort between active military installations, surrounding communities and other agencies.
An arterial street…
Limits direct access to homes and businesses.
What is the historical relationship between the American Society of Planning Officials, the American Institute of Planners, and the American Planning Association?
a. The AIP was the first organization to be established, until it was replaced by the ASPO. The ASPO was then replaced by the APA in the 1970s.
b. The APA was established in 1909. It went through various names changes, including at one time AIP and later the ASPO.
c. The ASPO was disbanded in the 1930s. It was replaced by the APA. In the 1960s the AIP and the APA merged.
d. The APA was formed in the late 1970s when the AIP and ASPO consolidated. The AIP first started in 1917 as the American City Planning Institute until it was renamed in 1934.
D) The APA was formed in the late 1970s when the AIP and ASPO consolidated. The AIP first started in 1917 as the American City Planning Institute until it was renamed in 1934.
In 1978, the American Planning Association was created from the consolidation of the American Institute of Planners (AIP) and the American Society of Planning Officials (ASPO). AIP was incorporated in 1917 as the American City Planning Institute and renamed the AIP in 1939. ASPO was established in 1934.
Associated Home Builders of Greater East Bay v. City of Livermore dealt with which of the following issues?
a. Exactions
b. Eminent Domain
c. Timing of Development
d. Freedom of Speech
C) Timing of Development
The Associated Home Builders case was related to when building permits could be developed based on the availability of infrastructure.
As the Economic Development Planner for your region, you are interested in attracting e-commerce firms. After researching what e-commerce firms need, you realize you need to create an effective marketing package. Which of the following would be least likely to be useful in marketing?
a. Nearby universities with accomplished computer science departments
b. Utility competition in the region
c. Downtown office space with nearby apartments
d. Technology-ready suburban office parks
D) Technology-ready suburban office parks
E-commerce companies need a well-educated workforce with web design skills. They prefer a region with utility competition, which results in lower costs for internet service. They prefer downtown offices and their workforce wants vibrant urban scenes and active nightlife.
As part of a capital improvements planning process, you have been hosting a series of town hall-style meetings. Recently the meetings have been taken over by a small group of citizens associated with the Tea Party. You are looking at how you can make sure all voices are heard as you plan for the next round of engagement meetings. Which of the following tools would be most effective in ensuring that you maximize participation of those in attendance?
a. Audience Response System
b. Design Charrette
c. Dot Voting
d.Visual Preference Survey
A) Audience Response System
ARS is an instant polling software used in conjunction with a slide presentation. A USB receiver/base station retrieves the data provided by an audience using wireless hand-held devices and stores this information on the presenter’s computer. Some ARS programs offer the option of participating in the process via personal cellular phones or laptop computers. The most obvious benefit of ARS is the chance to receive instant and accurate feedback from the audience. This feedback is assumed to represent honest opinions because the answers are sent anonymously.
In a newly annexed area there is a desire by a developer to include a rural subdivision. The proposed development area has a portion in wetlands. In your review of the subdivision plat, you are concerned about the use of septic tanks given the proximity of the wetlands. You ask the developer to provide evidence that the soil is suitable for septic tanks and request that the public health department provide feedback.
a. The developer submits the results of a fertility test
b. The developer submits the results of a nitrate test
c. The developer submits the results of an auger test
d. The development submits the results of a permeability test
C) The developer submits the results of an auger test
An auger can be used to retrieve soil samples and then examined for the soil profiles.
Which of the following would not be used to graphically compare two sets of data?
a. Line graph
b. Scatter plot
c. Bar graph
d. Bell curve
D) Bell Curve
Which of the following is an eminent domain case?
A. Construction Industry of Sonoma County v. City of Petaluma
B. Euclid v. Ambler Realty
C. Berman v. Parker
D. Village of Belle Terre v. Boraas
C) Berman v. Parker upheld the use of eminent domain for aesthetic purposes.
There has been recent heated debate on social media with citizens desiring that bikes get off the streets. Some of the citizens are arguing that drivers pay for the streets, not the bicyclists.
As part of the complete streets task force, you are working on developing talking points that help explain clearly how streets are paid for. You want to combat the perception that bicyclists are free riders.
The free rider problem is encountered when:
a. All individuals are willing to pay for what they consume
b. Someone benefits from the consumption of a public good without paying their full share
c. All individuals who consume a public good pay for it
d. An individual pays more than their fair share of the cost of a public good
D) Someone benefits from the consumption of a public good without paying their full share
In economics, the free rider problem refers to a situation where some individuals in a population either consume more than their fair share of a common resource, or pay less than their fair share of the cost of a common resource.
The state planning association has been working with the legislature to explain the value of land use controls. A representative has decided to put forward a bill that would expand the planner’s ability to engage in land use controls. The state planning association is closely following the process. The bill has just been voted on and approved in the House. What happens next?
a. The bill is then sent to the Senate where it will be introduced by the Senate Speaker.
b. The bill is signed by the House Speaker.
c. The bill is signed by the Governor and becomes a law.
d. The bill is referred to a House committee for review.
A) The bill is then sent to the Senate where it will be introduced by the Senate Speaker.
After a bill has been voted on and approved by one side of the legislature, in this case, the House, then it would be referred to the Senate. The bill is then introduced by the Senate Speaker, referred to a committee, and then goes through the legislative review process before it can be voted on and ultimately signed by the Governor.
The city of Plannersville has recently passed a law prohibiting any new billboards within the city limits. However, the new law has not solved the problem of existing billboards. The Planning Director is considering amortizing billboards over a three-year period. After consulting the state law, the Planning Director discovers that nonconforming uses that are not in use for a period of two or more years may then be regulated. Would the proposed billboard regulations be legal?
a. The ordinance would trigger numerous variance applications and cause an administrative headache, but would be legal.
b. The state law would require that billboard advertising be discontinued for two years before the amortization period would start, and the ordinance as proposed would be illegal.
c. The state law does not specifically apply to billboards, and the ordinance would be legal.
d. The ordinance is legal, and the new requirements would cause the current billboards to stop being used.
B) The state law would require that billboard advertising be discontinued for two years before the amortization period would start, and the ordinance as proposed would be illegal.
Local jurisdictions seeking to remove billboards can pass an ordinance that requires the removal of billboards by a given time, a process known as amortization. States set the rules for amortization. In this case, the Planning Director’s proposal is not in sync with state law.
The Mayor of your community has asked the planning department to come up with a simple way to gauge whether residents approve of the city’s new recycling program. There is a very limited budget, and a survey has been devised asking residents to respond “yes” or “no” on the city’s website. Is this an example of a binary variable?
a. No, because binary variables can only have positive values.
b. No, because “yes” and “no” questions have nothing to do with binary variables.
c. No, because binary variables can have multiple values.
d. Yes, because binary variables have only two different values.
D) Yes, because binary variables have only two different values.
Binary variables can only take on two values, and are typically represented as 0 and 1. They are used for variables for which there are only two possible outcomes, such as male or female or yes or no.
A local group is petitioning the city to focus on biophilic design. You create a presentation for the city council about biophilic design. Which characteristic are you least likely to include?
a. Dynamic artificial lighting
b. Stormwater reuse irrigation
c. Natural attributes in buildings
d. Multimodal transportation options
D) Multimodal transportation options
Biophilic Design brings humans and nature together through sustainable strategies, which can include lighting, ventilation, natural elements, and access to water.
The Standard State Zoning Enabling Act (and most state zoning enabling statutes) authorized a board of adjustment to do the following:
I. Hear and decide appeals from determinations made by local zoning officials
II. Grant variances to provide relief from the terms of the zoning ordinance
III. Enact and amend zoning ordinances
IV. Permit special exceptions to the zoning ordinance (conditional and special use permits)
a. I, II and III only
b. I, II, and IV only
c. I and II only
d. I, II, III and IV
C) I and II only
Board of Zoning Adjustments act in a quasi-judicial manner and can grant variances and hear appeals. The enactment of the zoning ordinance and special exceptions are achieved through a legislative process with the planning commission.
How is brainstorming as a method for public participation used in the planning process?
i. Getting a sense for what agencies want to accomplish together
ii. Identifying the measurable improvements that will be achieved through working together
iii. Informally gathering input in the initial stages of a project
iv. Preparing survey questions for the public
a. I, II, & III
b. III & IV
c. All of these are correct.
d. I & II
A) I, II, & III
PAS Report 539-540 lists these as key elements of the brainstorming process to assist groups in working together and identifying key goals for the planning process. Option IV is not a part of the brainstorming process.
Recently cities have undertaken efforts, known as __________, in order to create a specific image of a city that is embedded in the minds of the public.
Select one:
a. Consulting
b. Branding
c. Marketing
d. Gazing
B) Branding
In order to help make cities unique and competitive in the global economy cities have undertaken branding efforts.
How might someone use bridging to communicate a clear message to the public?
a. An infographic to engage the public.
b. Joining an ongoing conversation on social media to increase public understanding of key issues.
c. A startling statistic to reinforce the main point.
d. Transitional phrase to stay on message when the question could take you off topic.
D) Transitional phrase to stay on message when the question could take you off-topic.
As a planner in an urban city you have a number of abandoned industrial sites. In your comprehensive plan, you refer to these sites as:
a. None of these
b. Grayfields
c. Greenfields
d. Brownfields
D) Brownfields
You have a written a proposed stream corridor protection ordinance which calls for a 50-foot setback from all stream corridors. As part of the staff report for the draft ordinance you want to include a map that illustrates the ordinance. To create the map you use a:
a. Buffer
b. Vector
c. Census
d. Polygon
A) Buffer
A buffer is a reclassification based on distance. Buffering measures distance outward in directions from an object, in this case a stream. Buffering can be done on three types of vector data - point, line, area.
The city requires a building permit before construction can begin. This is an exercise of:
Select one:
a. eminent domain
b. police power
c. land use planning
d. subdivision regulation
B) Police Power
Downtown business owners have been repeatedly complaining to the City Council to do something about street panhandling, trash, and unkempt appearance along the sidewalk. The City Council president has directed the planning staff to find a solution. After significant research you have come up with what you believe is the best solution. Which of the following is most appropriate?
a. Plant additional street trees on downtown sidewalks
b. Increase the police budget to patrol the downtown
c. Implement a Business Improvement District
d. Work with local business owners to help keep their sidewalks clean
B) Implement a Business Improvement District
All of the choices are possibilities and could be used to support an effort to improve downtown. The best choice is to implement a Business Improvement District, which would provide funds to clean the sidewalks, police the streets, and keep up the appearance of the downtown. To create a Business Improvement District, property owners agree to an increase in the district’s tax rate. The revenue from the tax increase are used to fund improvements inside the district.
The city of Columbus, Ohio includes two thriving districts: the Short North arts district and the convention center district. Visitors often stay in downtown for a convention and also want to visit the Short North.
The problem is that convention visitors have to walk across a highway bridge to get there. Even though it is a short walk, the bridge is perceived as a real barrier. As a planner for the city, you propose the following:
Select one:
a. A cap park
b. Provide a tram to cover the distance
c. Add a gateway arch on both side creating a visual cue
d. Narrow the roadway and add parking on each side of the street
A cap park provides a park over a segment of freeway to encourage people to move through the space going from one area to another. All of these are possibilities, but the cap park best overcomes the perceived barrier.
Plannersville has a majority Hispanic population. You are planning a community-wide survey targeting families with young children. Which of the following would be the most effective way to reach people aged 24-36?
Select one:
a. Social Media link to a Survey
b. Mail Survey
c. Cell Phone Survey
d. Landline Phone Survey
C. Cell Phone Survey
According to the Pew Research Center, almost half of Americans had a cell phone, but no landline service as of 2015 (http://www.pewresearch.org/methodology/u-s-survey-research/collecting-survey-data/). Among Hispanics, 61% have wireless service only. A younger population is unlikely to respond to a mail survey. While social media is a way to publicize the survey, you will be more likely to get a response through direct contact with residents.
The primary purpose of the Census is to provide the basis for which of the following?
a. Determining median family income for the allocation of housing programs
b. Distributing federal funds to state and local governments
c. Determining national population
d. Fairly apportioning the number of seats in the United States House of Representatives for each state
The primary purpose of the Census is to provide the basis for which of the following?
a. Determining median family income for the allocation of housing programs
b. Distributing federal funds to state and local governments
c. Determining national population
d. Fairly apportioning the number of seats in the United States House of Representatives for each state
D) Fairly apportioning the number of seats in the United States House of Representatives for each state
While Census data is used for a variety of purposes, the primary purpose is to apportion seats for Congress.
Which of the following most accurately describes how the US Census Bureau collects data through the American Community Survey?
Select one:
a. Every five years, the ACS conducts a sample to produce estimates for census tracts and block groups
b. It uses an annual survey to produce an annual update of estimates for census tracts and block groups
c. Every five years, the ACS conducts a sample to produce estimates for census tracts
d. It uses a series of monthly samples to produce annually updated estimates for census tracts and block groups
D) It uses a series of monthly samples to produce annually updated estimates for census tracts and block groups
The American Community Survey uses a series of monthly samples to produce annually updated estimates for the same census tract and block groups that used to be surveyed via the decennial census long-form sample. http://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/methodology/design-and-methodology.html
You have been working on a zoning ordinance amendment that allows for granny flats. As part of your staff report, you reference recent Census trends in multi-generational living. You report that the percentage of multigenerational households has grown from a low of 12 percent in 1980 to approximately ______ percent of households today.
a. 32
b. 20
c. 15
d. 26
B) 20
According to the 2016 American Community Survey, the share of multigenerational households has almost reached the 1950 peak—now representing 20 percent of the total population.
The Zoning Ordinance was last overhauled more than 30 years ago. The ordinance has grown over time, and with all of the amendments it has become a confusing mess. You are currently reviewing the overlay districts. You discover you have an overlay district that is unusual and not typically found in other ordinances. Which of the following is the unusual overlay you discovered?
a. Central business district
b. Airport overlay district
c. Flood hazard district
d. Commercial corridor district
A) Central business district
Central business districts are typically their own zoning district, rather than an overlay.
A theorist associated with incrementalism is:
Select one:
a. John Friedmann
b. Ebenezer Howard
c. Charles Lindblom
d. Frank Lloyd Wright
C) Charles Lindblom
Lindblom wrote about incrementalism as a step by step incremental approach to achieving plans.
The State of Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld the use of planned unit developments in which of the following cases?
a. Cheney v. Village 2 at New Hope
b. Southern Burlington County NAACP v. Township of Mount Laurel
c. Euclid v. Ambler Realty
d. Nectow v. Cambridge
A) Cheney v. Village 2 at New Hope
The Court in 1968 found that planned unit developments are acceptable if the regulations focus on density requirements rather than specific rules for each lot.
he 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition included the _____________, designed by Daniel Burnham.
Select one:
a. White House
b. New York City
c. White City
d. White Castle
C) White City
The 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition included the White City, designed by Daniel Burnham. The term has been applied to mean the color of the buildings as well as the exclusionary tactics used.
A new grocery store has been built on an arterial. You have been working with a neighborhood that is concerned about cut-through traffic to and from the grocery store, which has resulted in both an increase in traffic volume and an increase in traffic speed. After exploring various options for a neighborhood street, you recommend which of the following?
a. Roundabout
b. Diagonal parking
c. Speed hump
d. Chicane
D) Chicane
Which of the following is not a common method of achieving agreement on a course of action?
a. Educating the public on all sides of an issue
b. Working with stakeholder groups to develop a consensus
c. Maintaining a democratic decision-making process
d. Appointing a single person to adjudicate dispute and make a final decision
D) Appointing a single person to adjudicate dispute and make a final decision
APA is especially supportive of the idea that planning needs to be an inclusive enterprise that fosters community input and works to develop a consensus. A single person making a decision would run counter to that ideal.
What kinds of limitations may prevent citizens from participating in the planning process?
i. No broadband access
ii. Language barriers
iii. Sight impairment
iv. Difficulty reading material
a. All of these are limitations that can prevent citizens from participating in the planning process.
b. I & IV
c. I, II, & IV
d. I & II
A) All of these are limitations that can prevent citizens from participating in the planning process.
All of these limitations may prevent citizens from learning about or participating in the planning process. In fact, over a quarter of adults do not have access to broadband at home, 9% have limited English, and another 19% cannot read a newspaper due to visual or other reading impairments.
Which U.S. Supreme Court case is considered a landmark ruling that made government agency decisions subject to judicial review and also spurred the creation of large numbers of citizens groups dedicated to environmental activism?
a. Citizens to Preserve Overton Park v. Volpe
b. Kelo v. City of New London
c. Tahoe Sierra Preservation Council v. Tahoe Regional Planning Agency
d. Dolan v. City of Tigard
A) Citizens to Preserve Overton Park v. Volpe
In the 1960s, Citizens to Preserve Overton Park filed suit against U.S. Secretary of Transportation John Volpe after he announced plans to build Interstate 40 through Overton Park in Memphis. The suit claimed that Vollpe was violating section 4(f) of the Dept. of Transportation Act of 1966, which required the government to show there were no “feasible and prudent” alternatives to using public lands, such as parks, when building freeways. In 1971, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Citizens to Preserve Overton Park. This lead to a considerable increase in grassroots environmental organizing.
Which planning movement focused on reviving the civic center of a city in an attempt to attract the wealthy, eradicate social ills, and bring U.S. cities into parity with their European counterparts?
a. City Beautiful
b. Urban Renewal
c. New Town
d. Garden City
A) City Beautiful
All of the following groups of planning philosophies came before the City Humane Movement, except:
I. City Functional
II. City Efficient
III. City Beautiful
IV. Public Health
A. II
B. I
C. III
D. IV
B) I
The planning philosophies, City Efficient, City Beautiful, and Public Health came before the City Humane Movement. The City Humane Movement occurred in the 1930s.
In this case, the respondent argued that the city had violated the Telecommunications Act by discriminating against a commercial enterprise:
a. Berman v. Parker
b. Kelo v. City of New London
c. City of Rancho Palos Verdes v. Abrams
d. Norwood v. Horney
C) City of Rancho Palos Verdes v. Abrams
City of Rancho Palos Verdes established that there are administrative procedures to remedy violations of the Telecommunications Act and that an individual cannot force compliance.
Which of the following are true statements about the Civil Rights Act?
a. It was first passed in 1962 under President Kennedy.
b. Major amendments were passed in 1965 and 1970.
c. Title VIII of the 1968 Civil Rights Act is also known as the Fair Housing Act.
d. It was first passed in 1968 Under President Johnson.
C) Title VIII of the 1968 Civil Rights Act is also known as the Fair Housing Act.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 banned discrimination and segregation on the basis of race, religion, national origin and 6 gender in the workplace, schools, public accommodations and in federally assisted programs. The Civil Rights Act of 1968 provided for equal housing opportunities regardless of race, creed, or national origin. The Fair Housing Act (FHA) is also known as Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968
Clarence Perry’s Neighborhood Unit Concept (1929) was published in which of the following plans?
a. Plan for Washington, D.C.
b. Cincinnati Comprehensive Plan
c. Plan for Chicago
d. Regional Survey of New York and Its Environs
D) Regional Survey of New York and Its Environs
The idea was to create complete neighborhoods that provided convenient access for residents to school and businesses.
The Regional Planning Association of America sought to undertake major regional scale projects, such as the Appalachian Trail. Who is a co-founder of the Regional Planning Association of America?
a. Clarence Stein
b. Clarence Perry
c. Daniel Burnham
d. Jane Jacobs
B) Clarence Stein
You live in a riverfront community. In the last ten years there has been a proliferation of docks and boats on waterfront properties and water quality has been declining. As part of your comprehensive planning for the community, you want to engage with regulatory authorities about ways to improve water quality on the river. Which organizations should you engage?
a. The U.S. EPA only
b. The U.S. EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers
c. U.S. Department of Commerce
d. County government
B) The U.S. EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers
The Clean Water Act of 1972 exercised its power to regulate interstate commerce by prohibiting discharges into the nation’s navigable waters. If the body of water can be used to transport goods from one state to another it is covered by the Clean Water Act. The Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers have regulatory power to prepare rules for navigable waters.
Neighborhood advocates in a low-income economically depressed neighborhood have come to you as the Planning Director in a Florida city. They want your advice on organizing their community to support the expansion of a light rail line into their neighborhood. Which of the following would you advise?
Select one:
a. Visual Preference Survey
b. Coalition building
c. Public Hearing
d. Open House
B) Coalition building
In this case, bringing together organizations that support light rail to build a coalition would be most helpful. A open house could be used to inform the public about light rail. A public hearing could be used to express interest to the part of the city council. A visual preference survey would not be helpful because people don’t need to vote on pictures of light rail.
Which of the following are elements of the potential goals of a coalition?
I. Influencing or developing public policy, usually around a specific issue
II. Changing people’s behavior
III. Building a healthy community
IV. Advocate for lower fiscal costs in a given region
a. II & III
b. II & III
c. I only
d. I, II, & III
D) I, II, & III
Coalitions often have goals as varied as coalitions themselves, but they often include one or more elements of influencing public policy, changing public behavior, and building healthy community. Building coalitions allows for individual groups with a common interest to work together toward their goal(s).
To what level of government are regional councils or Councils of Government accountable?
a.The National Association of Regional Governments
b. Local government
c. Federal government only
d. State taxing authorities
B) Local government
A COG or regional council is a multi-service entity that delivers a variety of federal, state, and local programs, and they are accountable to local units of government. They can also function as partners for state and federal governments.
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What is the difference between a Council of Governments (CoG) and a Regional Council?
a. There is essentially no difference
b. Regional Councils have more authority
c. CoGs have more authority
d. CoGs are not truly regional
There isn’t really a difference. The terms regional council (RC) and council of governments (COG) are generally interchangeable. They might also be called regional planning commissions, regional commissions, or planning districts.
This population estimation method uses the population at the time of the last Census divided into five-year age groups and gender. A death rate is applied to each age group. New groups are created based on birth rates and net migration rates.
a. Step-down
b. Cohort Survival
c. Linear
d. Symptomatic
B) Cohort Survival
ou are organizing a committee to consider the future renovation needs of schools throughout the school district. What would be the optimal committee size?
Select one:
a. 9 to 15
b. 5 or fewer
c. 6 to 8
d. 16 or more
A) 9-15
Agreement can become more difficulty with a large number of members. Having at least 9 members ensures that all personality types are represented and a diversity of voices. A small committee can at times not bring a broad enough set of interests to the table. In this case you would want a mix of stakeholders, such as parents, neighbors, teachers, staff, administrators etc.
Communicative Planning Theory calls for which of the following?
a. Working one-on-one with citizens to develop a plan
b. Using a scientific process to plan
c. Consensus building
d. Viewing planning as a series of incremental steps
C. Consensus building. Using a scientific process to plan is associated with rational planning. Viewing planning as a series of incremental steps is associated with incremental planning. Working one-on-one with citizens to develop a plan is associated with transactive planning.
As a planner, you have been working hard to try to resolve a conflict over development along a local river. The environmentalists want to stop all development, while the property owners want to be able to build whatever they would like. Local officials are concerned about water quality and the tax base. Which of the following would be most appropriate to use?
a. Focus Groups
b. Consensus Building
c. Coalition Building
d. Town Hall Meeting
B) Consensus Building asks stakeholders to work together to come to a solution. Coalition Building brings parties who agree together to promote an idea. A Town Hall Meeting is good to identify issues, but in this case, the issue is already known. Focus Groups might be useful in understanding the issue further, but is not the best answer.
Within your city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction there has been a rapid increase in the number of homes built with septic tanks. The city is concerned about the possibility of well water contamination. Which of the following would be the most appropriate regulatory technique?
Select one:
a. Moratorium
b. Conditional use permit
c. Conservation zoning
d. Planned unit development
C) Conservation zoning, which requires the clustering of homes while preserving open space. The subdivisions can be designed to protect well water areas by placing septic systems in other areas.
You are looking at the topographic map for a proposed development site. The slopes are steep, making development a challenge. You are calculating the grade across the site. Which of the following is not an accurate statement about topographic maps?
a. Contour lines do not typically intersect
b. A contour line joins points of equal elevation
c. Contour lines are always curved
d. When contour lines are close together this indicates steepness
C) Contour lines can be curved, straight, or a mixture of curved and straight depending on the topography of a specific location.
Over the last ten years, a number of homes have been demolished by the city due to neglect. Every time you hold a public meeting, citizens bring up the importance of a building that is on the national register. The neighborhood organization has asked you to help them in applying to create a national historic district. Which of the following would be an important factor to consider in preparing an application?
a. The cost to repair the historic homes
b. The environmental benefits of becoming a national historic district
c. A cost-benefit analysis of becoming a national historic district
d. The number of contributing buildings
D) For the application to become a national historic district, it is most important of these factors to consider the number of contributing buildings. A survey of all historic buildings in the city, along with information about particular design styles or notable works, is key to having the district recognized as containing national historic significance.
You have been working on a major transnational highway project that will connect Mexico to Canada and will run through your region. One critical issue has been identifying funding for this major national transportation project. In your review of potential funding sources, you recognize that CORBOR may be the ideal mechanism to fund this. CORBOR refers to:
a. The Center for Rail, Boat, or Road Services
b. The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Act
c. National Corridor Planning and Development Program and the Coordinated Border Infrastructure Program
d. The Coordinated Border Infrastructure Program
C) National Corridor Planning and Development Program and the Coordinated Border Infrastructure Program provided funding between 1999 and 2005, but was discontinued under The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act and the Coordinated Border Infrastructure Program. (http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/border_planning/corbor/)
Which type of government is set up to work toward coordination of plans and programs at the regional level?
a. Regional Planning Association
b. Council of Governments
c. Rural Transportation Planning Organizations
d. Metropolitan Planning Organizations
B) Council of Governments (CoGs—also known as regional councils, regional commissions, regional planning commissions, and planning districts) are regional governing and/or coordinating bodies that exist throughout the United States.
You are preparing design standards to guide the redevelopment an urban district that has seen significant interest from developers. The existing residents are most concerned about the safety of the commercial corridor. Which of the following would be best to include in the standards:
Select one:
a. Streetscape standards
b. Paint Colors
c. Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design principles
d. Design of transit stops
C) Crime Prevention through Environmental Design takes a safety based approach to design of the environment, including features such as lines of sight and lighting. The American Planning Association Policy Guide on Security provides for best practices in designing secure spaces https://www.planning.org/policy/guides/adopted/security.htm+
The mayor is focused on downtown development strategies that will attract the creative class. Which of the following attributes are most likely to attract more creative workers?
I. Higher educational institutions
II. Significant existing employment in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Arts, Design, and Media
III. A diverse community
IV. Technology infrastructure
Select one:
a. II & IV
b. I & III
c. I & II
d. I, II, III, and IV
D) I, II, III, and IV
Richard Florida, author of The Rise of the Creative Class, argues that for a city to attract the Creative Class it must possess “the three ‘Ts”: Talent (a highly talented/educated/skilled population), Tolerance (a diverse community, which has a ‘live and let live’ ethos), and Technology (the technological infrastructure necessary to fuel an entrepreneurial culture).
You are undertaking a survey to assess whether opinions about public transit service will change when a new policy is implemented. You are undertaking a:
a. Longitudinal survey
b. Cross sectional survey
c. Mail or telephone survey
d. Sampling survey
A) You are undertaking a longitudinal survey—a survey over time—which is implied by the question since you are assessing how opinions will change. A cross-sectional survey is a type of survey that involves the analysis of data collected from a representative subset of a population at one specific point in time.
How does the Delphi Method encourage consensus among participants?
i. Participants fill out a questionnaire and then are encouraged to revise their answers after hearing one another’s replies, decreasing the range of answers over time.
ii. Small groups are formed to each focus on a design solution for a specific area with a design professional facilitating the conversation.
iii.Participants rank solutions after brainstorming as a group and then discuss all the rankings, with the possibility of adding new ideas or combinations of ideas.
iv.A neutral third party facilitates discussion in multiple stages to help groups reach consensus.
a. i and ii
b. i. is the correct choice.
c. None of these encourage consensus among participants.
d. i, ii, and iii
B) I is the correct choice: Participants fill out a questionnaire and then are encouraged to revise their answers after hearing one another’s replies, decreasing the range of answers over time.
ii describes the design charrette method; iii describes the nominal group technique; and iv describes the mediation method. Only i explains how the Delphi Method encourages group members to achieve consensus by revising their answers to hypothetical questionnaires.
Which of the following is not true about the Delphi technique?
Select one:
a. It is a technique that can be used to develop consensus on an issue
b. It uses a group of appointed citizens to advise the governing body
c. This technique relies on input from individuals with different types of knowledge
d. Successive rounds of questions are used
B) group of appointed citizens to advise the governing body is known as a Citizen Advisory Committee (also known by other names in each community). It is not necessary to have a group of appointed citizens to participate in the Delphi technique.
Which of the following bodies is responsible for the review of historic preservation applications at the federal level?
a. Department of Health and Human Services
b. Department of Commerce
c. Department of the Interior
d. Department of Housing and Urban Development
C) Department of Interior
You have been asked to prepare a demographic profile for the economic development department. You are training an intern in demographics and you explain that the equation [(children + elderly)/(working age population)] is known as the:
a. Birth/Death Ratio
b. Independency Ratio
c. Cohort Survival Ratio
d. Dependency Ratio
D) The dependency ratio is a ratio of dependents. Those who are younger than 15 and those older than 64 to represent the working age population. Data are shown as the proportion of dependents per 100 working age population.
If you have data about a population, which of the following types of statistics could you use to describe your data?
a. Descriptive
b. Inferential using sample data
c. T-test
d. All of the above
B) Descriptive statistics are distinguished from inferential statistics (or inductive statistics) in that descriptive statistics aim to summarize a sample, rather than use the data to learn about the population that the sample of data is thought to represent.
You are developing a site plan for a new mixed use neighborhood. The neighborhood is based on the neighborhood unit concept. You have placed a school in the center of the neighborhood. You are now working on the street network. Which of the following would be most appropriate to place adjacent to the elementary school?
Select one:
a. Local
b. Connector
c. Main street
d. Major arterial
A) A local street is designed to service land uses such as single family homes.
You are preparing a zoning ordinance amendment that will include specific design criteria for new large scale retail development. In the staff report outlining the changes to the zoning ordinance you emphasize:
a. The criteria should be so expensive to implement that it will persuade large scale retailers, such as Wal-Mart, not to move into the city
b. The legal basis for enforcing the design standards
c. The criteria will advance the quality of life of the community
d. The architectural character of the community will be reflected in this new development
B) The legal basis for the zoning ordinance amendment is critical to include. Zoning for the purposes of aesthetics is a valid public purpose and the staff report should reflect any state statutes or other legal basis for putting in place these standards. While architecture character and quality of life are relevant in the report, the legal basis is the best answer.
You are working on a complex planned unit development project. This project includes more than 1,000 acres, of which a portion is unimproved—i.e., lacking infrastructure. As part of the county’s comprehensive plan, there is a planned arterial roadway that will run through the property. As part of the land planning process, the county institutes a _______________ to ensure adequate infrastructure.
a. Impact fee
b. Special use permit
c. Development agreement
d. Subdivision regulation
C) A development agreement can be used to clarify what infrastructure will be provided as part of a development. Impact fees can also be instituted to pay for off-site improvements; however since this improvement is on-site, the better answer is a development agreement.
You are preparing to undertake a simple statistical analysis based on economic data that you have collected. You have a variable that has a finite number of values. This is known as a ___________ variable.
a. Quantitative
b. Dichotomous
c. Continuous
d. Discrete
D) Discrete: A variable that can only take a finite number of values is called a discrete variable. Examples are counts, like number of traffic colllisions. A dichotomous variable has only two values, typically zero and 1. This is also known as a binary variable.
You work for a city of 5,000 with a historic town square and a courthouse in the center of the city as the county seat. Which of the following could be key considerations for your downtown commercial district?
I. Historic Preservation
II. Parking Capacity
III. Wayfinding
IV. Small Business Promotion
a. I only
b. II only
c. III and IV
d. All of these could be key considerations.
D) All of these would be factors to consider in ensuring a healthy downtown commercial district in a historic community.
As a planner you are working on developing a neighborhood plan for the southeastern portion of the city. This neighborhood has the lowest household income in the city. Initially you would like to survey residents to find out what the problems are in the area and the types of improvements they would like to see made.
Which type of survey would be most appropriate?
a. Mail
b. Electronic
c. Drop-off
d. Phone
C) The correct answer is drop-off. A drop-off survey would be the best choice because you could leave the survey at neighborhood homes and businesses, allowing residents to complete them at their convenience. By dropping off the survey you would have personal contact with the residents.
A drop-off survey would have a higher response rate than a mail survey. Given that the area is low-income, electronic and phone would be poor choices because not everyone would have access to a telephone or the Internet.
What are the advantages of using visioning in a comprehensive planning process?
a. It keeps implementation moving forward and citizens will be motivated to keep track of actions proposed to achieve the vision they helped create.
b. These are all advantages of visioning.
c. It keeps the process on track and citizens can make sure the rest of the process addresses vision achievement.
d. It serves as a catalyst and brings residents together in new ways.
B) These are all advantages of visioning.
The purpose of visioning is to build consensus and these are all advantages of visioning.
Some disadvantages of visioning are that it adds to the cost of the planning process since it is an intensive public participation effort, it can create unrealistic expectations that the governemnt can’t fulfull and it is dependent on a facilitator.
You are a planner in charge of coordinating an Environmental Impact Statement required for a proposed highway extension. You are aware that the EIS will need to include considerations of environmental justice, but you are unsure what that exactly entails. To ensure that your approach gives adequate attention to environmental justice, which of the following steps are necessary?
I. Require that past environmental injustices in the area be mitigated before the project can proceed
II. Determine whether minority populations, low-income populations, or Indian tribes are present
III. Develop an effective public participation strategy that assures meaningful community representation
IV. Ensure that all relevant demographic, public health and industry data is analyzed with respect to the potential for exposure to human health or environmental hazards
a. II, III and IV
b. I and IV only
c. II and III only
d. I, II, III and IV
A) II, III and IV
Concerns regarding environmental justice build upon Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. A formal federal policy on environmental justice was established in 1994, and in 1995 the US Department of Transportation issued its Order to Address Environmental Justice. It states that consideration of environmental justice issues must be considered during preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). These considerations include documentation, data analysis and public participation, but not mitigation of past environmental injustices.
As a Federal Planner with the Department of Defense, you are responsible for an environmental restoration project at a military base. You are developing a public participation plan for engaging the military base as well as the stakeholders in the base’s surrounding communities. Which of the following should be the main principle guiding public participation?
a. Selected community groups should be asked to designate a representative to attend meetings
b. The DOD should create a website that the public can access to keep apprised of the restoration process
c. DOD needs to have control over who participates in the public engagement process, given that the location is a military base
d. Resources, information, and training should be widely available so that all stakeholders are able to participate in decision-making
D) Resources, information, and training should be widely available so that all stakeholders are able to participate in decision-making
The U.S. EPA defines environmental justice as the, “fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, culture, income, or education level with respect to development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.
Your AICP certification was revoked five years ago and you wish to seek reinstatement. How would you pursue reinstatement?
a. Apply to take the AICP Examination
b. Pay your past AICP dues
c. Submit a petition to the AICP Ethics Committee
d. Submit a petition to the AICP Ethics Officer
D) Submit a petition to the AICP Ethics Committee
The AICP Code of Ethics states, “Any Certified Planner whose membership or certification is revoked may petition the Ethics Committee for reinstatement no sooner than five years from the time of revocation.”
Which of the following does not adhere to the AICP Code of Ethics?
Select one:
a. Protecting the environment
b. Service in the public interest
c. Competent work
d. Accepting a bribe
D) Accepting a bribe
Accepting a bribe would violate the conflict of interest portion of the AICP Code of Ethics, which states, “We shall not perform work on a project for a client or employer if, in addition to the agreed upon compensation from our client or employer, there is a possibility for direct personal or financial gain to us, our family members, or persons living in our household, unless our client or employer, after full written disclosure from us, consents in writing to the arrangement.”
You are the Planning Director for a suburban planning department. Your brother wants to purchase land for a new office tower and he asks you to advise him about the planning process. He also wants you to represent him before the City Council if a rezoning is needed. What should you do?
a. Give your brother general advice about the planning process, but let him know that it might be perceived as a conflict of interest for you to be involved any further in the deal.
b. Assist your brother in negotiating the deal with the developers and act as his representative with the developer. However, decline to serve as his representative to the city for the rezoning case.
c. Advise your brother about the planning process and offer your expertise to him. However, decline to represent him in any official way to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest.
d. Agree to assist your brother with all aspects of the deal making process.
C) Advise your brother about the planning process and offer your expertise to him. However, decline to represent him in any official way to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest.
You can advise your brother about the planning process the same way that you would for any customer that would visit your office. The AICP Code of Ethics states, “We shall deal fairly with all participants in the planning process. Those of us who are public officials or employees shall also deal evenhandedly with all planning process participants.”
According to the AICP Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, planners shall seek social justice by working to expand choice and opportunity for all persons, recognizing a special responsibility to plan for the needs of the disadvantaged, and to promote racial and economic integration. Which of the following theoretical perspectives most influenced this principle?
a. rational planning
b. advocacy planning
c. communicative planning
d. transactive planning
B) Advocacy planning, created by Paul Davidoff, emphasized the importance of planning for the needs of diverse groups of stakeholders in the community.
You are the Planning Director of a medium-sized city. You have been challenged in the media and by local business groups for your views on economic development incentives. You are opposed to providing incentives to retailers and service providers that do not generate basic jobs. The City Council has asked you to develop an economic development strategy that includes incentives for retailers. This is completely against your beliefs. What should you do?
a. Pass the project to a junior staff member
b. Notify the media about the issue
c. Resign from your position
d. Prepare the report outlining the options for incentives and the pros and cons associated with the incentive options
D) Prepare the report outlining the options for incentives and the pros and cons associated with the incentive options
The AICP Code calls for the use of professional competence. In this case, you understand the role of job creation and the reasons why incentivizing certain types of businesses and not others are logical. Although your report may go against what the city wants, you will be presenting factual evidence for your position and the city will be able to then make the choice they want.
The planning director is asked to play in a charity golf tournament sponsored by a local historic preservation non-profit. The director should:
a. Decline the event
b. Attend, but don’t participate by playing golf
c. Volunteer on the organizing committee
d. Attend the event
You should attend the event. This invitation is from the organization and there is no specific conflict of interest by participating.
You are the planner for a small city. You have been asked by the Chamber of Commerce to make a presentation at a luncheon on your views on economic development versus environmental protection. This is currently a very hot topic in your city. You are known in the community as an environmental advocate. You know that your opinions are often at odds with the Chamber of Commerce and you believe your job is in danger because of a shift in the membership of the City Council. You accept the opportunity to present before the Chamber and decide to focus your presentation on the economic value of environmental protection. Is this in violation of the AICP Code of Ethics?
a. No
b. Yes. You should cancel your presentation
c. Yes, but you should proceed anyway because you are already committed to it
d. No, but it is in violation of the APA Ethical Standards
A) No, Demonstrating the values of environmental preservation in terms that the Council will understand is a valuable way to present the argument in terms that others will understand.
You are faced with an ethical dilemma and struggling to decide what you should do. What is the best course of action?
a. Talk to your human resources director
b. Talk to a fellow AICP member and seek their advice
c. Seek informal advice from the APA Ethics Officer
d. File a complaint of misconduct
C) Seek informal advice from the APA Ethics Officer
According to the AICP Code of Ethics, “Any person with a question about whether specific conduct conforms to the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct may seek informal advice from the Ethics Officer. Any such person should contact the Ethics Officer to arrange a time to discuss the issue.”
Which of the following is NOT true with regard to the duties of a planner to ensure enforcement of the AICP Code of Ethics?
a. A planner who desires to file a charge of misconduct has an obligation to do so pursuant to the procedures under the AICP Code of Ethics.
b. The AICP Director reviews all charges of misconduct.
c. A planner should report violations to the media.
d. A planner should contact the area AICP advisor to determine if there may be a violation of the AICP Code of Ethics.
C) A planner should report violations to the media.
Concerning honesty in the use of information, which of the following is NOT true?
a. Accurate information should be provided in planning reports.
b. You should withhold information about land use codes from developers.
c. You should communicate ethical standards to clients, employers, and the public.
d. In some situations, you must not provide full information.
B) You should withhold information about land use codes from developers.
You are the Planning Director of a major metropolitan planning department, and the Mayor calls you into a private meeting with a developer. The Mayor explains how this developer is planning a major project for the city that will result in significant job creation and increased property tax revenue. After the meeting, the Mayor makes it clear that the planning department is not to cause any delay in the approval of this development or it could mean a negative employment review. After leaving the meeting what should you do?
a. Send a letter to the developer, copying the Mayor outlining the specific requirements for permitting approval noting the fastest way to achieve permit approval and noting that you are available for consultation to ensure the project moves forward as quickly as possible
b. Resign immediately, as you don’t want to be caught up in the good ole’ boy system where development is allowed to slide by the rules
c. Let your staff know that all application materials related to this case should come to you so you can make sure you sign off on the application
d. Draft a letter to the City Manager and City Council denouncing the Mayor’s efforts to allow development through on an easy track
A) Send a letter to the developer, copying the Mayor outlining the specific requirements for permitting approval noting the fastest way to achieve permit approval and noting that you are available for consultation to ensure the project moves forward as quickly as possible
In this case, there is no ethical issue at this point in time. While the Planing Director might have felt threatened, in fact the Mayor simply requested that the department provide a high level of customer service. The Planning Director should ensure the developer understands the rules and has the opportunity to consult with staff to make sure the project can move forward in a timely manner. As this project moves forward, there might come a point where there is an ethical conflict. If this happens, the Planning Director will be in a strong position to describe how they have done everything possible to ensure that the project moves forward quickly while meeting city requirements.
As a sole practice consultant with expertise in aviation planning, you have been seeking to grow your practice. At a recent networking event you met a non-profit director who is interested in help undertaking a health indicators project. You indicate you would be a perfect fit and have strong interest in the topic. You have no experience or training on health indicators, but assume that you can learn over the course of the project. Would this represent a violation of the AICP Code of Ethics?
a. No, as a planner you have experience and training in performance indicators and believe you could translate this experience to a new topic area in health.
b. Yes, as a planner you have misrepresented your qualifications.
c. No, as a planner you are constantly working in areas that are outside of your explicit expertise and it is fine to learn on the job.
d. Yes, as a planner you have an obligation to uphold the public interest.
B) Yes, as a planner you have misrepresented your qualifications.
The AICP Code of Ethics states “We shall neither deliberately, nor with reckless indifference, misrepresent the qualifications, views and findings of other professionals.” In this case, because you as a sole practitioner have no experience in health indicators, describing yourself as a perfect fit misrepresents your qualifications.
Which of the following is true about moonlighting?
a. Moonlighting is not a term that is used in the AICP Code of Ethics.
b. You do not need permission from your employer to engage in moonlighting.
c. Engaging in cases for a consulting firm is not moonlighting if the consulting firm is explicitly made aware of your outside employment.
d. Working at a bookstore on weekends is an example of an acceptable moonlighting position.
D) Working at a bookstore on weekends is an example of an acceptable moonlighting position.
The AICP Code of Ethics states “We shall not, as salaried employees, undertake other employment in planning or a related profession, whether or not for pay, without having made full written disclosure to the employer who furnishes our salary and having received subsequent written permission to undertake additional employment, unless our employer has a written policy which expressly dispenses with a need to obtain such consent.” Moonlighting is acceptable, but it should be in a position that does not conflict with your primary employment and permission is needed from your employer.
You are a senior planner with a major consulting firm. You are responsible for completing a request for proposals for a county that has requested that the firm prepare a zoning ordinance. You feel overwhelmed with projects and do not believe you will have time to adequately prepare the zoning ordinance if the firm receives the contract. What should you do?
a. If the firm gets the contract you’ll find an assistant to help you get all of your work done.
b.Decline the contract due to your current workload.
c. Work overtime and try to juggle the projects.
d. Negotiate with the county to push back the start date on the project.
B) Decline the contract due to your current workload.
Given this project is at the request for proposal stage, it is best not to submit a response to the request for proposal. If the workload became overwhelming after submitting the proposal and selection then it would be appropriate to talk to the county about the start date or hire another qualified planner or to withdraw at that time
As the planner for a small village, you have responsibility for planning and code enforcement. In your own neighborhood, you have noticed that several of your neighbors have code enforcement violations. What would be the best way to handle this situation?
a. Go to the village manager and explain the violations and ask how they want it handled.
b. Ask a staff member in another area of the village to handle the violations that you are reporting.
c. Do nothing unless another resident reports the violations.
d. Issue the citations directly to the property owners.
A) Go to the village manager and explain the violations and ask how they want it handled.
Because you are a property owner you may benefit from the enforcement of codes in your own neighborhood. Because you may benefit you should not be the person handling the case without first consulting with your supervisor who can provide in writing the appropriate enforcement action. The AICP Code of Ethics states “We shall not perform work on a project for a client or employer if, in addition to the agreed upon compensation from our client or employer, there is a possibility for direct personal or financial gain to us, our family members, or persons living in our household, unless our client or employer, after full written disclosure from us, consents in writing to the arrangement.”
The Code of Ethics resolves a situation like this – where a planner might receive a benefit from a planning action – by having the planner obtain approval from a client or employer.
The choice of “Ask a staff member in another area of the village to handle the violations that you are reporting.” is also incorrect because it assumes that the planner has the authority to assign work to other planners.
An ethical planner principally serves:
a. The client’s interest
b. Your personal interests
c. The employers interest
d. The public interest
D) According to the APA’s Ethical Principles in Planning “The planning process must continuously pursue and faithfully serve the public interest.”
Over the last month, the city’s Planning Director has interviewed for a position as a managing partner with a consulting firm in another state. The director did not notify the city attorney or city manager about the potential position. Which of the following is true?
a. Violates the APA Principles for Ethical Conduct
b. Violates the AICP Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct
c. Does not violate the AICP Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct
d. Is illegal
C) Does not violate the AICP Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct
The city is considering a new zoning requirement that would require a 10-foot setback from waterways. In preparing the ordinance amendment for presentation to the planning commission and city council, you use which of the following to present a spatial analysis of the impact of the ordinance?
a. Vector data model
b. Euclidean buffer
c. Polygon
d. Geodesic buffer
B) A Euclidean buffer measures the distance in a two-dimensional Cartesian plan—calculating straight line distances. This type of buffer works well when working at a city scale, and because this is a standard distance, from waterways, a buffer makes more sense. A geodesic buffer accounts for the curvature of the earth and would be used when the map projection is at a large regional scale or global scale. A polygon connects specific points. A vector data model is an overarching term that would cover buffering, overlays, distance measurement, and spatial statistics.
Which city is home to the first historic preservation commission in the United States?
a. NewOrleans
b. New York
c. San Francisco
d. San Diego
A) New Orleans
Which of these is not an example of a second proof point in a Message Pyramid?
a. An amplification of the core statement.
b. A startling statistic.
c. An endorsement of planning from an allied group.
d. A factual statement about the benefits of planning.
D) A factual statement about the benefits of planning is the first proof point, which backs up the key message.
The City Council is considering a proposal to annex 200 acres of land into the city. At a public hearing, citizens voice concerns that the city currently has a deficit and that the new development won’t generate enough tax revenue to pay for the needed police, fire, and solid waste services the city would have to provide for the area. Which cost analysis method would be most appropriate for the city planner to use to study the potential fiscal effects of the proposed annexation?
a. Cost of community services study
b. Cost-benefit analysis
c. Cost-effectiveness analysis
d. Fiscal impact analysis
D) Fiscal impact analysis is the best answer. The purpose of fiscal impact analysis is to estimate the impact of a development or a land use change or a plan on the costs and revenues of governmental units serving the development. Cost-effectiveness analysis and Cost-benefit analysis usually refer to the evaluation of projects, policies, or programs. The term costs of community services (COCS) is a broader term that uses fiscal impact analysis to determine whether various forms of land use contribute to or detract from local government budgets.
You are undertaking a master planning process for a large university. The university has determined that it wants to eliminate all parking from the central part of campus and move that parking to the western edge. Drivers would then access the main part of campus via bus. You know that this will be a controversial issue.
As part of your public engagement process, you use the following to gather the most effective feedback.
a. Hold a town hall style meeting to debate the parking proposal.
b. Create an online survey asking people the degree to which they would support the parking proposal.
c. Organize a series of focus groups to discuss how people get to campus now and how they would benefit or be negatively impacted by the proposal.
d. Send out a newsletter describing the proposal and how the university plans to move forward.
C) Organize a series of focus groups to discuss how people get to campus now and how they would benefit or be negatively impacted by the proposal.
For a sensitive subject such as this it would be important to understand the potential impacts and benefits. By speaking in small groups ideas can be discussed and alternatives debated that can inform the plan’s creation.
Which form of zoning prescribes development standards, rather than use standards?
a. Traditional neighborhood development zoning
b. Overlay zoning
c. Form-based zoning
d. Euclidean zoning
C) The correct answer is form-based zoning. Form based zoning focuses on defining desired development patterns. It also allows the market to determine the use.
As part of the region’s visioning process you have organized a Future Search, what task would not be involved?
a. Creating a group mind map
b. Identifying highly differentiated points of view
c. Identifying common futures
d. Creating a group cognitive overlay
D) Creating a group cognitive overlay
Future Search is a 2.5-day event designed to result in a common vision of the future. The event is organized into five tasks of approximately 3-4 hours each.
The city is considering whether to spend $300,000 on a building addition this year. However, the City Council is debating whether it makes more sense to spend the $300,000 now or whether it makes more sense to wait four years when the expected cost for the addition would be $500,000. You have been asked to provide a fiscal analysis that provides support for which would be the best choice. You assume a 10-percent discount rate. What is your recommendation to the council?
a. You recommend to the City Council that they proceed with the addition now, because the future value of the funds would exceed the expected cost of the addition in four years.
b. You recommend to the City Council not to proceed with the addition now, because the future value of the funds would exceed the expected cost of the addition in four years.
c. You recommend to the City Council that they proceed with the addition now, because the future value of the funds would not exceed the expected cost of the addition in four years.
d. You recommend to the City Council not to proceed with the addition now, because the future value of the funds would not exceed the expected cost of the addition in four years.
C) You recommend to the City Council that they proceed with the addition now, because the future value of the funds would not exceed the expected cost of the addition in four years.
The future value equation is FV = PV (1 + r)^n, where PV is current value ($300,000), r is the discount (or interest) rate, 0.10, and n is the number of years (4).
So, the future value of $300,000 at this interest rate is $300,000 x (1.10)^4 = $300,000 x 1.464 = $439,200. The reverse, the present value of $500,000 four years from now, is $500,000/ 1.464 = $341,530.
So, if you waited four years and spent $500,000, it would cost you $41,530 more in today’s equivalent value (at the discount rate of 10%) than if you spent $300,000 today.
There are two main types of local governments. What is the key distinction?
a. State authorized vs. historical
b. City vs. County
c. General purpose vs. single purpose
d. Regulatory vs. Administrative
c. General purpose vs. single purpose
Two types of local governments are 1) general-purpose local government, which includes counties and townships; and 2) single-purpose, which includes school districts and fire districts.
The _____________ is expressed as births per 1,000 persons calculated by the number of recorded live births in a year, divided by the mid-year female population between the ages of 15 and 44.
Select one:
a. General Fertility Rate
b. Women’s Fertility Rate
c. Raw Birth Rate
d. Age-Specific Birth Rate
A) The General fertility rate is the number of live births per 1000 women between the ages of 15 and 44 years.
Government regulation of land use at the local level is typically accomplished by which of the following:
a. Zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, and restrictive covenants
b. Zoning ordinances and subdivision regulations
c. State-level court system
d. Nuisance Laws
B) Communities have both zoning and subdivision regulations to manage land use. Nuisance laws are not always about regulating land use, and restrictive covenants are private restrictions.
As a county planner in Alaska, you have a planning area of approximately 1,000 square miles. You have been trying to identify a participatory approach that would allow you to engage your residents in the county’s comprehensive planning process. You want to use electronic technology to support meetings at a distance. After reviewing the possibilities, you believe your best option is:
Select one:
a. Groupware
b. Hotline
c. Multi-Attribute Utility Analysis
d. Participatory Rural Appraisal
A) Groupware includes a variety of electronic technologies that support virtual collaboration. These techniques use hardware, software, and or internet technology to allow for sophisticated collaboration activities.
You have been undertaking a planning process looking at the challenge of vacant properties in your city of 300,000. You found that 5 percent of the housing across the city is vacant and half are in serious disrepair. Some neighborhoods have no vacancy and others have significant vacancy. You are now preparing for a presentation to the city council with a recommendation that CDBG funds be allocated to focus on the vacant housing problem.
Which would be the most effective in conveying the results?
a. Amap of the city showing the locations of the individual vacant properties
b. A photomontage of vacant properties
c. A heat map that shows the variation in concentrations of vacant housing across the city
d. A chart showing that 5% of housing is vacant
C) A heat map would illustrate the areas of the city where vacant housing is most concentrated. Because 5% is a relatively low number it would be less impactful in a chart. A citywide map would not be at a scale small enough to show individual properties. A photomontage would help illustrate the issue and could be used in combination with a heat map.
What is a scientific measurement that tracks environmental conditions over time?
a. Environmental indicator
b. Environmental assessment
c. Point pollution
d. Environmental impact statement
A) An environmental indicator is a scientific measurement that tracks environmental conditions over time.
The Message Pyramid contains three key elements to use in communicating a clear and concise message to the public, in the following order (from first to last):
a. First Proof → Bridge → Second Proof
b. Key Message → Bridge → First Proof
c. Key Message → First Proof → Second Proof
d. First Proof → Second Proof → Key Message
C) The key message comes first to provide a clear and consistent statement, followed by the two “proof layers” to back up and reinforce this statement. Bridging is a technique used by planners to reframe controversial issues.
Most states require local governments to adopt annual budgets. Which of the following is most important for local governments in the budgeting process?
a. Consider long range capital facility and operating costs
b. Forecast revenue and expenditure estimates into the future
c. Determine long-term costs and benefits of adding personnel
d. All of these choices are correct
D) All of these answers are an important part of the budgeting process. Budgeting is like a planning process: it must consider in long-term consequences.
You have been the only planner in a small but rapidly growing town, and it is time to expand the staff. You sit down with the human resources director to create a plan for a staff that could grow to six people. Which of the following would be most appropriate to discuss as a starting point?
a. Classification Scheme
b. Performance Assessments
c. Professional Development
d. Recruitment Plan
A) All of these are items to be discussed with the HR director; but initially, it would be best to start with a discussion of the classification scheme. This is about the kinds of employees you would have and the job titles they would have. Once you know the positions, you would then be better positioned to discuss recruitment, professional development, and performance assessment.
Which of the following would be a legally closed session by a planning commission?
a. Rezoning application
b. Review of a conditional use permit
c. Consultation with the City Attorney about commission procedures
d. Final plat approval
c. Consultation with the City Attorney about commission procedures
You are the only planner in a rapidly developing town. You are undertaking the first comprehensive plan. You want to make sure you conduct a _______________ to analyze the geologic, hydrologic, soil, and other physical data to understand the potential for land development.
a. land development analysis
b. environmental impact analysis
c. land capability analysis
d. fiscal impact analysis
C) Land capability analysis allows the planner to understand the suitability of land for development.
Which of the following are the sources of land use law in the United States?
a. Zoning and subdivision regulation
b. Common law, the constitution, and statutes
c. The legislature and the courts
d. All of the above
B) These three are the commonly recognized sources of land use law in the United States. Zoning and subdivision regulations are enabled by state statutes.
The physical features of a site include each of the following except:
a. Geology
b. Hydrology
c. Microclimate
d. Land value
D) The physical features are items that pertain to the land, such as geology. Land Value is not a physical feature.
Historically, there was a shift in thinking about the role of the federal government in supporting citizens through large-scale aid programs. When did large-scale aid programs begin?
a. 1930s
b. 1950s
c. 1960s
d. 1910s
In the 1930s, large-scale federal aid programs were instituted to spur recovery from the Great Depression.
You are a planner working for a mid-sized city and you have been trying to engage with local media. One of the main news sources is clearly biased against planning and even antagonistic towards local planning efforts. What would not be appropriate as you attempt to publicize an upcoming planning event?
a. Offer background briefings with your office
b. Invite reporters from the news agency to the planning event
c. Discontinue outreach to the news agency as it may create further antagonism and be seen as trying to provoke them
d. Continue to send press releases and news announcements
C) It is important to keep the door open to the media, even if planners detect bias. Regardless of how a planner or planning agency is treated, it is essential to remain professional. Planners should always show interest and willingness to meet with the media to ensure that they are not seen as uncooperative. Even if a publication has not shown interest in planning, they should not be excluded them the distribution list when there is communications outreach.
A representative from the League of United Latin American Citizens has come forward raising concerns about the lack of engagement in the Hispanic community. Which of the following is the reason that the representative gives as an example of her concern?
a. Regular attendance of planning staff at neighborhood association meetings
b. Relying solely on elected officials in decision making processes
c. Inviting community representatives to serve on advisory committees
d. The inclusion of neighborhood representatives in the planning process
B) Elected officials are intended to represent the interests of their constituents. But this is a passive form of public engagement. The other responses represent active forms of public engagement. The League of United Latin American Citizens seeks to advance the economic condition, educational attainment, and civil rights of Hispanics in the United States.
You are preparing a town hall meeting to discuss hazard mitigation. Which of the following would be the best way to encourage participation?
a. Posting flyers at the library and other meeting locations
b. Appearing on the local morning news show to discuss the meeting
c. Meeting announcement in the local newspaper
d. Postcards mailed to residents
D) Postcards mailed to residents
All of these are methods that could be used to elicit participation. The mailer is the method that allows for the broadest contact with residents. It is likely that you would pursue a mix of methods to ensure broad awareness of the meeting.
A mean is a proper summary of the central tendency of the following types of data: (1) nominal; (2) ordinal; (3) interval; (4) ratio:
a. (1) and (2)
b. (3) and (4)
c. (2), (3) and (4)
d. all four
B) A mean is only appropriate for interval and ratio scale data. The values of nominal data just represent categories and in and of themselves are meaningless. The values given to the ranks for ordinal data similarly are not appropriate for computations.
What is a Message Pyramid?
a. A method for achieving consensus among community residents.
b. A style of responding to reporters when they try to take the conversation off topic.
c. A way of representing data to the public by reporting a main statistic using anecdote-style evidence.
d. A way of communicating a message to the public using a clear statement and evidence to support your statement.
D) The Message Pyramid is a technique for communicating clearly to the public. The Message Pyramid involves delivering a concise key statement that creates an environment and belief system for the audience. This statement is followed by two pieces of evidence: one that supports the benefits of planning and one that amplifies the first using data or evidence.
As a regional planner you have been working with the local governments in the region to protect the scenic character of an important highway. You are engaging the communities along the highway in a corridor planning process. Which of the following programs guidelines would be most appropriate to use in preparing the corridor plan?
a. Department of Transportation Enhancement Program
b. National Scenic Byway Program
c. Consolidated Plan
d. Moving Ahead for Progress for the 21st Century
B) The National Scenic Byway Program provides guidelines for preparing scenic corridor plans. The National Scenic Byways Program is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration. Established in Title 23, Section 162 of the United States Code under the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 and reauthorized and expanded significantly in 1998 under The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century and again under The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users in 2005. However the program was not renewed again.
A neighborhood is struggling to determine how they want the new community center to look. What method of structuring public participation is most appropriate to solve this conflict?
a. Visual preference survey
b. Brainstorming
c. Public hearing
d. Mediation
A) A visual preference survey best determines aggregate resident preferences, especially around the physical look of the natural and built environments. A public hearing is best at the end of the planning process to allow for final thoughts, and brainstorming is best for determining goals at the beginning of the project rather than specific details. Mediation is best for identifying interests and priorities of opposing groups, rather than getting a sense for general resident preferences
A developer of master planned communities has invited the community to generate ideas for how to develop a 100-acre section of the larger 1,000-acre development based on the principles of New Urbanism. Which of the following characteristics will most likely not be part of the charrette?
a. Pedestrian-scale facades
b. Variety of housing types
c. Multi-modal transportation and gridded street pattern
d. All of these could be part of a new urbanism charrette.
D) New Urbanism integrates all of these principles.
You are preparing to undertake a storm water management plan. There has been a vocal minority lobbying the city to make improvements along a stream that frequently floods their backyards. You want to create a public engagement process that will bring together the vocal minority and the silent majority to generate ideas for how to address the problem. Which of the following would be most appropriate to use?
a. Design Charrette
b. Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats Analysis
c. Public Hearing
d. Nominal Group Technique
D) The nominal group technique allows for brainstorming, enabling all members of a group to meaningfully participate. There are silent times allowing for idea generation followed by individual sharing of ideas.
The notification process of your city requires that property owners within a one-quarter mile radius of a proposed project be notified about proposals under consideration for development approval. A proposal you are considering is located very close to the boundary of the city. What would be an appropriate way to handle the fact that many property owners within the one-quarter mile radius are located outside of the city’s jurisdiction?
a. You only need to provide notice to the properties in your jurisdiction
b. You should hold a public hearing and invite staff from all surrounding jurisdictions
c. You should provide notice to all properties within the prescribed radius
d. You should contact the adjacent jurisdiction and let them determine if noticing within their boundaries should occur
C) There is no harm in notifying residents and property owners outside of your boundaries. Although the letter of the law means that you only need to give notice to the properties in your jurisdiction, you should not assume that residents outside of your jurisdiction are unaffected, or that staff from the other jurisdiction should make a determination without involving the affected properties.
Which of the following is true of a null hypothesis?
a. A null hypothesis that is true must have a large sample size.
b. A null hypothesis is a neutral statement that does not suggest the direction of the result.
c. A null hypothesis is almost always rejected.
d. A null hypothesis is always equal to 0.
B) The null hypothesis is the commonly accepted fact; it is the opposite of the alternate hypothesis. Researchers work to reject, nullify, or disprove the null hypothesis. Researchers come up with an alternate hypothesis, one that they think explains a phenomenon, and then work to reject the null hypothesis.
Open meetings laws require that…
a. …transcripts of public hearings be available to the public.
b. …Planning Commission meetings be open to the public.
c. …executive sessions of City Council must be open to the public.
d. …executive sessions of the Planning Commission must be open to the public.
B) Open meetings laws require that Planning Commission meetings be open to the public.
Must ordinances and regulations that impose conditions on the issuance or development permits (such as the reservation of land for beach access), but do not compensate the
owner for the property, meet all of the following?
I. The condition must have some essential nexus with the public purpose it seeks to fulfill
II. The condition must bear some rough proportionality to the impact of the development for which the permit is sought
III. The condition may be satisfied by the payment of a fee in lieu of (FILO) compliance
IV. Not result in the temporary loss of use of property while the application for the development permit is undergoing review by government staff.
a. No
b. Only in the state of California
c. Yes
d. Yes, except for condition #3
C) All of these conditions must be met for the ordinance to be upheld as constitutional.
Oregon’s Measure 37 has had a significant impact on the ability of local governments to engage in land regulation. Which of the following is the best description of the Oregon law?
a. A landowner will be compensated if the land regulation results in a devaluation of the property—if they were the owner at the time the regulation was put in place.
b. A land owner must comply with a land regulation regardless of impact on property value.
c. A landowner will be compensated if the land regulation results in a devaluation of the property regardless of who owned the land when the regulation was put in place.
d. A land owner must comply with a land regulation only if it has a positive impact on the property value.
A) Oregon’s Measure 37 requires a landowner to be compensated if a land regulation results in a devaluation of the property—if they were the owner at the time the regulation was put in place.
The educational level of the community is relatively low, so you need to use techniques that will work for a non-literate group. Which of the following is most appropriate?
a. Participatory Rural Appraisal
b. Plebiscite
c. Participatory Television
d. Samoan Circle
A) Participatory Rural Appraisal is a group of techniques that allow for the provision and analysis of information by the public. These are typically highly visual including creation of maps or picture cards.
As the planner responsible for a neighborhood planning process you have undertaken a participatory process that allows the participants to assess project alternatives by weighing the alternatives according to a group of citizen goals. This is known as a:
a. Delphi technique
b. Planning Cell
c. Charrette
d. Coffee Klatch
A planning cell allows citizens to learn about, assess and choose between multiple alternatives. Planning cells is a method for deliberation developed by Dr. Dienel, and is designed to be a “micro-parliament.” In a planning cell, approximately 25 people from various backgrounds work together to develop a set of solutions to a problem delegated to the participants by a commissioning body.
A farmer has been actively farming a 100-acre property for the past 20 years. In that time, fences were built on the property boundaries. As part of a development permit process to allow the construction of a barn, it becomes clear that the fences were built in incorrect locations. The farmer wishes to continue to farm the portion of the land that is not actually his property. The farmer asks you what he should do. You advise him to seek a:
a. Easement in Gross
b. Purchase the property
c. Prescriptive Easement
d. Easement Appurtenant
C. A prescriptive easement is typically obtained under principles of adverse possession. A prescriptive easement can be earned through the ongoing and regular use of a property. A prescriptive easement allows the right to use the property and does not allow the farmer to gain title to the land. An easement appurtenant allows access to your property, for example giving you the right to use your neighbor’s driveway to access your property. A public utility easement is an easement in gross.
The senior planner for a county is responsible for developing a public participation process for a countywide plan. When should the public become involved in the planning process?
a. At the time of the public hearings for the plan adoption
b. Before the plan goals have been set
c. When alternatives are ready to be revealed
d. When a preferred alternative has been selected
B) Citizens should be involved in the planning process as early as possible. In this case, citizens should aid in setting the plan goals.
You are preparing to facilitate what is sure to be a volatile meeting, with stakeholders that have a long history of distrust. In order to get the most of this facilitation session, you do which of the following:
a. Present the specifics of the issues to be facilitated
b. Meet with stakeholders separately and stress the issues the participants should most agree on
c. Record the issues and suggested solutions as presented during the facilitation and group similar issues and solutions together
d. Suggest potential solutions that best address the issues
C) The facilitator can introduce bias if the issues are specified by the facilitator and potential solutions are best suggested by the participants rather than the facilitator. The role of the facilitator is to record the meeting and help group ideas together.
You have been promoted to the director of your council of governments. You want to emphasize new regionalism. You are preparing a memo to all of the local governments. Which of the following should you emphasize?
a. Emphasize the importance of bringing together regional stakeholders including public and private sectors.
b. Emphasize the boundaries of the region and focusing on solving problems in those boundaries.
c. Emphasize accountability and that the COG will be accountable to the local governments.
d. Emphasize a new structure, such as the establishment of a consolidated government.
A) Emphasize the importance of bringing together regional stakeholders including public and private sectors.
You recently participated in a professional development workshop where you learned about social accounting matrices. How would you best use a SAM to support your work?
a. You would use SAM to understand the socioeconomic characteristics of your region to aid in educating the region’s leaders about the challenges facing the low-income in the region.
b. You would use a SAM to understand the existing state of the economy and use this to analyze the likely effects of policy proposals.
c. You would use SAM to undertake statistical analysis combining the demographics of the community with economic variables.
d. You would use SAM to account for the social impacts of policy decisions.
C) You would use a SAM to understand the existing state of the economy and use this to analyze the likely effects of policy proposals.
You have been hired by the state department of agriculture to form a state food policy council that will work with key stakeholders across the state. You have recruited members and are setting the agenda for the year. Which of the following do you plan to address?
I. food deserts
II. land use management
III. obesity rates
IV. preservation of agricultural lands
a. II and IV
b. I, II, III, and IV
c. I and IV
d. I, III, and IV
D) Many states have food policy councils focused on education and policy. Food policy councils typically avoid issues directly dealing with regulation, as these are managed by other organizations.
Your development review team is reviewing the site plan for a proposed development and is concerned about drainage as well as the connectivity to surrounding developments. The team is spending this meeting focusing on analyzing the transportation aspects of the site plan. Which of the following is NOT usually true when describing the cross section of a street?
a. The street is sloped so that the high point is in the middle and it drains to the edges.
b. If there is a sidewalk, it is included in the right of way of the street.
c. Roads are typically sloped one inch per foot or higher to ensure proper drainage.
d. The traffic lanes are typically 9 to 12 feet in width
C) Roads are typically sloped up to a half-inch per foot in order to provide positive drainage. This is enough to ensure that the road does not collect water on its surface, which could present a significant chance for cars to hydroplane. One inch per foot of slope is more than is typically needed and would mean that the edges of the road would be one foot below its center, if a road is 24 feet wide.
The city is focusing on the university district. The urban design strategy for the district is focused on adding pedestrian amenities. You encourage the addition of:
a. Street furniture
b. Mixed use development
c. Bus Shelters
d. Decorative lighting
A) Street furniture includes benches, planting, trash receptacles, and physical elements that improve the way pedestrian experience the district.
The city has made an arrangement with a car sharing service that allows residents to pay for a car on a per minute usage basis. Residents are complaining about car sharing cars being parked in their parking spot in front of their house on the street and staying overnight. How could you best respond to these calls?
Select one:
a. Suggest they write a letter to the Mayor arguing for non-renewal of the car sharing service’s permit
b. Explain that if they don’t want cars parking on their street they can petition the city to put in place permit parking that would restrict parking to residents only.
c. Explain how public streets work and that anyone can park on-street. You also explain that car sharing works by people taking cars to destinations and that it is likely their neighbors who are parking on street.
d. Explain how public streets work and that anyone can park on-street.
C) Public streets are public and open to on street parking. One key issue is that car sharing is that people are using the cars to get to a destination and on a residential street the destination is a particular house.
You plan to post a video of a recent City Council meeting on Facebook to share with the public. What should you do if you are concerned about whether a social media post is a public record according to the Sunshine Laws?
a. Post: social media posts are considered public record
b. Unclear: it depends on the content of the City Council meeting
c. Unclear: consult state and local regulations to determine if social media posts are considered public record
d. Don’t post: social media posts are not considered public record
C) Whether social media posts are considered public record is a matter of state and local regulations around noticing and records retention. You should consult these regulations if you are concerned about whether a social media post is an appropriate place to post the video of a recent City Council meeting.
What do facilitation and mediation have in common as methods for structuring public participation?
i. The facilitator is often a trusted community member.
ii. A third party with no direct stake in the outcome facilitates the discussion.
iii. These methods are often used to help resolve conflict outside of court.
iv. These methods have multiple stages.
a. iv.
b. ii.
c. All of these are correct.
d. i, iii, and iv
B) Option i. is specific to facilitation. Options iii. and iv. are specific to mediation. Only Option ii. is true of both mediation and facilitation, in which the facilitator has no stake in the outcome of the conflict.
You are developing a traffic forecast that will model future traffic conditions across the metropolitan area. In order to undertake the analysis you have broken down the projections into:
a. Census Tracts
b. Traffic Analysis Zones
c. Census Blocks
d. Traffic Impact Zones
B) Traffic analysis zones are geographic units that divide a region into similar areas of land use.
In recent years, the suburban areas of your region have seen explosive low-density development. The local mayors have come together at the Council of Governments to discuss the pending fiscal crisis due to increased demand for services. Which of the following techniques would be most appropriate for limiting the expansion of infrastructure and public services?
a. Down zoning
b. Form-based zoning
c. Overlay zoning
d. Urban growth boundary
D) An urban growth boundary is a regional boundary that limits sprawl by mandating that the area inside the boundary be used for higher density urban development and the area outside be used for low density development, such as agriculture.
You are trying to identify land uses with a low average vehicle trip per unit. Based on the Quick Response Urban Travel Estimation Techniques and Transferable Parameters, which of the following would have the lowest number of average vehicle trips per unit?
A. Assisted Living Facility
b. Single Family Home
c. Fast Food Restaurant
d. Warehouse
A) Based on the Quick Response Urban Travel Estimation Techniques and Transferable Parameters, assisted living facilities would have the lowest number of average vehicle trips per unit.
You are working on developing design guidelines for your community. The historic architecture in the community uses locally available materials, this is known as ____________ architecture?
a. Victorian
b. Gothic
c. Modern
d. Vernacular
D) Vernacular architecture refers to architecture based on locally available materials
A volume to capacity ratio of 1 indicates which of the following?
a. Congested traffic flow
b. The level of congestion exceeds the carry capacity of the roadway
c. Stop and go traffic conditions
d. A Level of Service of A
A) Congestion can be measured by a volume-to-capacity ratio (V/C Ratio). A V/C Ratio of greater than 1.0 indicates severe congestion.
You are working on placemaking as the planner for a suburb. In preparing the comprehensive plan, you illustrate development alternatives including a scenario for transit oriented development. What is the walking radius that you show?
a. One quarter of a mile
b. Two miles
c. One half of a mile
d. One mile
C) Half a mile is a typical standard for transit oriented development. Pedestrians will typically walk up to half a mile to reach transit or destinations.
