Community Planning & Development Flashcards

A municipality wants to encourage affordable housing production by private developers. Which regulatory incentive most directly achieves this?

Answer: Inclusionary zoning with density bonuses

Inclusionary zoning requires affordable units in new developments while density bonuses compensate developers with additional market-rate units, making the affordable requirement financially viable.

The 'jobs-housing balance' concept in regional planning refers to:

Answer: Ensuring that housing supply in an area is proportional to local employment, reducing long commutes

Jobs-housing balance seeks to locate sufficient housing near employment centers so that workers can live close to their jobs, reducing vehicle miles traveled.

Which environmental planning tool requires local governments in flood-prone areas to regulate development in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) to remain eligible for federal flood insurance?

Answer: National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)

The National Flood Insurance Program requires participating communities to adopt and enforce floodplain management regulations in SFHAs as a condition of NFIP participation.

A 'community benefit agreement' (CBA) in the context of large development projects is best described as:

Answer: A legally binding contract between a developer and community groups specifying public benefits in exchange for project support

A CBA is a negotiated, enforceable contract between a developer and community organizations that commits the developer to provide specified community benefits.

Which planning approach uses market analysis, visioning, and action plans to revitalize a specific commercial corridor or downtown district?

Answer: Main Street Program or corridor revitalization plan

Main Street Programs and corridor revitalization plans combine market analysis, design, promotion, and organization strategies to strengthen commercial districts.

Under the Dillon's Rule doctrine, which governs most U.S. municipalities, local governments:

Answer: May only exercise powers expressly granted or necessarily implied by state statute

Under Dillon's Rule, municipalities are creatures of the state and possess only those powers expressly delegated, necessarily implied, or essential to their purposes.

A city is updating its general plan and must ensure its housing element complies with state law. The housing element must demonstrate:

Answer: That the city has adequate sites and zoning capacity to accommodate its Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA)

State housing element law requires municipalities to demonstrate adequate zoned capacity to accommodate their RHNA share across all income categories.