Land Use Planning & Zoning

In the implementation of land use controls, why should the community be concerned about the effects on individual property values?

• Preservation of property values is the sole purpose of public land use control.
• Sudden increases in property values place a burden on municipal services.
• In most communities, taxes based on property values support needed government services.
• If property is controlled, values will decline.

What is the relationship between master planning and zoning ordinances?

• The compilation of zoning ordinances is the master plan.
• A master plan eliminates the need for zoning ordinances.
• Master planning is a state-level function; zoning is limited to the county level.
• Zoning ordinances are a primary means of keeping land use in line with the master plan.

One of the major considerations in planning where to allow growth is

• the number of developers asking for permits.
• the effect of development on traffic patterns.
• the median age of the community.
• the number of housing starts reported for neighboring communities.

The basic intent of zoning ordinances is to

• establish the basis for public ownership of land for the common good.
• establish subdivision rules and regulations.
• specify usage for every parcel within the zoning authority's jurisdiction.
• restrict development in unincorporated areas.

Why do zoning authorities create different types of zones?

• To ensure that a variety of construction types is available in the community.
• To seperate different types of uses so that they do not interfere with each other.
• To preserve low density land uses.
• To encourage industrial and commercial users to relocate.

What is a "buffer zone"?

• A transitional zone between a residential zone and a commercial zone.
• An area zoned as a public park.
• A temporary zone created to allow users to come into compliance with a change in zoning.
• A zone around the boundaries of a municipality.

What is meant by "intensity of usage?"

• The number of building lots per acre.
• The number of people per square mile.
• The number of building permits issued per year within a zoning jurisdiction.
• The area of a commercial or industrial facility in relation to the size of the site.

How does Planned Unit Development zoning differ from ordinary zoning?

• It applies only to industrial and office parks.
• It incorporates a number of different zones within a single property boundary.
• It requires that multiple tracts of land be developed according to a single design for efficient use of space.
• It requires developers to obtain a seperate building permit for every structure.

Which of the following situations is most likely to represent an illegal nonconforming use?

• A homeowner in a residential zone converts her residence to rental offices.
• A homeowner builds an attached garage in a neighborhood where all the garages are detached.
• A storeowner remodels a storefront in accordance with relations, and then the zoning is changed to residential.
• A new zoning ordinance outlaws two-storyadditions after a homeowner completes an addition.

What is the difference between a variance and a nonconforming use?

• A variance, once granted, is unconditional and permanent.
• A variance is granted by the zoning board if the owner has a justifiable reason.
• A nonconforming use is allowed if the owner requests it in adavance of building.
• A nonconforming use violates current zoning, but a variance does not.