Community Planning & Development Flashcards

Transit-oriented development (TOD) is best described as:

Answer: Concentrating higher-density, mixed-use development within walking distance of transit stations

TOD concentrates walkable, mixed-use, higher-density development around transit stations to maximize ridership and reduce auto dependence.

Which legal doctrine allows local governments to require developers to dedicate land or pay fees for parks and public facilities as a condition of subdivision approval?

Answer: Exaction authority

Exaction authority allows municipalities to require developers to provide land dedications or impact fees to offset the public costs of new development.

A 'form-based code' differs from conventional zoning primarily by:

Answer: Emphasizing the physical form and character of buildings rather than land use categories

Form-based codes regulate the physical form, scale, and character of development rather than focusing primarily on land use categories.

An 'urban growth boundary' (UGB) is a planning tool designed primarily to:

Answer: Contain urban sprawl by designating limits for urban development

An urban growth boundary defines where urban development may occur, directing growth inward and preserving rural and agricultural land outside the boundary.

Which analysis technique do planners use to evaluate a site's development suitability by overlaying multiple environmental and physical constraint maps?

Answer: McHarg suitability analysis / GIS overlay analysis

Ian McHarg's suitability analysis, now commonly performed with GIS overlay techniques, identifies development-suitable areas by layering environmental constraints.

The Fair Housing Act prohibits municipalities from using zoning to:

Answer: Excluding group homes for persons with disabilities from residential neighborhoods

The Fair Housing Act prohibits zoning practices that discriminate against protected classes, including excluding group homes for people with disabilities from residential areas.

A municipality conducting a 'housing needs assessment' is primarily seeking to determine:

Answer: The gap between current housing supply and the types and quantities needed by the community

A housing needs assessment identifies the gap between existing housing supply and what is needed to accommodate current and future populations across income levels.