AICP Plan and Policy Development 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of plan establishes long-term goals for physical development and land use within a jurisdiction?
- Strategic plan
- Comprehensive plan (Correct answer)
- Capital improvement plan
- Functional plan
Correct answer: Comprehensive plan
A comprehensive plan (also called a general plan or master plan) establishes the long-term vision and goals for physical development and land use.
Question 2: In policy development, what does the term 'sunset provision' refer to?
- A policy that only applies during evening hours
- A clause that terminates a policy on a specific date unless renewed (Correct answer)
- A regulation governing outdoor lighting standards
- A provision requiring public review at each sunset of the fiscal year
Correct answer: A clause that terminates a policy on a specific date unless renewed
A sunset provision is a clause that automatically terminates a law, regulation, or policy on a specified date unless affirmatively renewed by the governing body.
Question 3: Which planning document typically guides the prioritization and funding of public infrastructure projects over a 5-6 year horizon?
- General plan
- Capital improvement plan (CIP) (Correct answer)
- Zoning ordinance
- Area plan
Correct answer: Capital improvement plan (CIP)
A Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) schedules and budgets public infrastructure investments—roads, utilities, parks—over a 5-6 year period.
Question 4: The 'rational comprehensive model' of planning is primarily criticized for which of the following reasons?
- It relies too heavily on community input
- It assumes perfect information and unlimited analytical capacity (Correct answer)
- It focuses exclusively on economic development
- It disregards legal frameworks
Correct answer: It assumes perfect information and unlimited analytical capacity
Critics argue the rational comprehensive model is unrealistic because planners rarely have perfect information, unlimited time, or the analytical capacity it assumes.
Question 5: A policy requiring new residential developments to set aside a percentage of units as affordable housing is known as:
- Density bonus
- Inclusionary zoning (Correct answer)
- Fair housing overlay
- Workforce housing mandate
Correct answer: Inclusionary zoning
Inclusionary zoning policies require that a portion of new residential developments be made available as affordable housing units.
Question 6: Which principle in plan-making ensures that adopted policies are consistent with each other across different planning elements?
- Vertical consistency
- Internal consistency (Correct answer)
- Horizontal integration
- Cross-referencing alignment
Correct answer: Internal consistency
Internal consistency ensures that various elements and policies within a single plan do not contradict one another.
Question 7: When a local government adopts a specific plan for a defined geographic area, it typically must be consistent with which document?
- Regional transportation plan
- Capital improvement plan
- General/comprehensive plan (Correct answer)
- State building code
Correct answer: General/comprehensive plan
Specific plans must be consistent with the jurisdiction's general or comprehensive plan, implementing its policies at a more detailed geographic scale.
AICP Plan and Policy Development 2
Which type of plan establishes long-term goals for physical development and land use within a jurisdiction?