Basic Planning Tools Reprint Set

Basic Planning Tools

Zoning is merely a tool. It can be used constructively as a positive force for community good or it can be misused. Zoning is what you make of it. It works best when it is based on a vision and closely tied to the comprehensive plan.
-- Edward McMahon, from "What's So Bad About Zoning?"
From comprehensive planning to capital improvement budgets to zoning basics. This collection of articles reprinted from the Planning Commissioners Journal reviews the purposes and history of zoning, and provides an overview of some of the tools and techniques planners and planning commissioners use.

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Articles
Summary

Zoning Basics:

"Z" is for Zoning
by Laurence Gerckens, FAICP Planning historian Laurence Gerckens provides a brief overview of the history of zoning in America. From Gerckens' Planning ABCs publication.

Zoning Basics
by Michael Chandler and Greg Dale
Mike Chandler and Greg Dale look at zoning basics with an overview of the purposes of zoning, the structure of a typical zoning ordinance, and the principal players in the "zoning universe." With sidebars on key zoning-related legal issues.

Zoning & Changing Lifestyles
by Michael Chandler and Greg Dale
Chandler & Dale continue their overview of zoning by focusing on the impact that changes in our society are having on local zoning regulation.

What's So Bad About Zoning
by Edward McMahon
Ed McMahon provides a reality check on four "myths" about zoning & land use regulation: 1. Zoning is un-American; 2. Sparsely populated rural areas don’t need to control uses of land; 3. Land use controls will increase taxes and reduce property values; and 4. Planning is a bad idea.

Bright Idea: Taking a "Village Walk"
by Wayne Senville Planning commissioners in Cedar Bluff, Alabama, took ownership of their new zoning ordinance by taking a walk. From the PCJ's special Bright Ideas series.

An Introduction to Subdivision Regulations
by Martin L. Leitner, Esq. & Elizabeth A. Garvin, Esq.
A primer on the basics of subdivision regulation, plus background on how subdivision regulation has evolved over the years.

Improving the Subdivision Process
by Randall Arendt
The initial stages of the subdivision review process can be the best time for providing useful input to applicants in the shaping of their subdivision plans.

Comprehensive Planning & Capital Improvement Programs:

Developing the Comprehensive Plan
by Michael Chandler
A three part article on the basics of developing a comprehensive plan. Part I: key considerations in putting together the plan. Part II: citizen participation methods. Part III: strategies for getting the plan adopted and implemented.

The 21st Century Plan
by Michael Chandler
A look at five ways in which local comprehensive plans are starting to change as we enter the new century: 1. Vision Driven; 2. Thematic Based; 3. Collaborative Effort; 4. Regional Focus; and 5. Moving Beyond Paper.

A Primer on the Politics of Plan Implementation
by Bernie Jones
Advice on how best to ensure that your community's comprehensive plan gets adopted and implemented.

Roundtable Discussion on Plan Adoption & Implementation
with Bernie Jones, Michael Chandler, and Elaine Cogan
PCJ columnists Mike Chandler and Elaine Cogan join Bernie Jones in responding to questions from the Editor of the PCJ on the plan adoption process.

Capital Improvement Programs
by Michael Chandler
A series of three short article by Michael Chandler covering the basics of putting together a capital improvement program.

Bright Idea: Don't Stop, Thinking About Tomorrow
by Wayne Senville Sussex County, Maryland, envisioned itself on the cover of Time magazine as the best place to live in the U.S. From the PCJ's special Bright Ideas series.

Basic Tools of the Planning Trade:

Bright Idea: "We Want Public Participation"
by Wayne Senville That's the message the Montgomery County, Virginia, board of supervisors conveyed to the planning commission. From the PCJ's special Bright Ideas series.

Citizen Surveys: Taking Your Community's Pulse
by Thomas I. Miller
A growing number of communities are augmenting traditional meetings and forums with citizen surveys. Respected surveyor Thomas I. Miller provides an introduction to the art and science of developing and using surveys.

Engaging the Public
by Larry Frey, AICP
As planning commissioners, it is vital that you find meaningful ways to engage the public in the planning process -- beyond simply posting notices and advertising public meetings.

Working With Planning Consultants
by C. Gregory Dale, FAICP
A three part series outlining the elements to successfully getting started on a project that will involve consultants; using requests for qualifications (RFQ) to find planning consultants; and steps planning departments can take to ensure good working relationships.

ProForma 101: Getting Familiar with a Basic Tool of Real Estate Analysis
by Wayne Lemmon
The proforma is the basic go/no-go analysis that developers use. Knowing how to read a proforma will give you a better understanding of what goes into putting together a project -- and the challenges developers often face.

Preparing Successful Grant Proposals
by Tobin Scipione
Preparing a winning grant proposal requires the 3 C's: a clear concept, a concrete strategy, and creative goals. Advice on researching and writing a proposal you and your community will be proud of.

Take a look also at our other "Taking a Closer Look" reprint sets

Articles	Summary
Zoning Basics:
"Z" is for Zoning by Laurence Gerckens, FAICP	Planning historian Laurence Gerckens provides a brief overview of the history of zoning in America. From Gerckens' Planning ABCs publication.
Zoning Basics by Michael Chandler and Greg Dale	Mike Chandler and Greg Dale look at zoning basics with an overview of the purposes of zoning, the structure of a typical zoning ordinance, and the principal players in the "zoning universe." With sidebars on key zoning-related legal issues.
Zoning & Changing Lifestyles by Michael Chandler and Greg Dale	Chandler & Dale continue their overview of zoning by focusing on the impact that changes in our society are having on local zoning regulation.
What's So Bad About Zoning by Edward McMahon	Ed McMahon provides a reality check on four "myths" about zoning & land use regulation: 1. Zoning is un-American; 2. Sparsely populated rural areas don’t need to control uses of land; 3. Land use controls will increase taxes and reduce property values; and 4. Planning is a bad idea.
Bright Idea: Taking a "Village Walk" by Wayne Senville	Planning commissioners in Cedar Bluff, Alabama, took ownership of their new zoning ordinance by taking a walk. From the PCJ's special Bright Ideas series.
An Introduction to Subdivision Regulations by Martin L. Leitner, Esq. & Elizabeth A. Garvin, Esq.	A primer on the basics of subdivision regulation, plus background on how subdivision regulation has evolved over the years.
Improving the Subdivision Process by Randall Arendt	The initial stages of the subdivision review process can be the best time for providing useful input to applicants in the shaping of their subdivision plans.
Comprehensive Planning & Capital Improvement Programs:
Developing the Comprehensive Plan by Michael Chandler	A three part article on the basics of developing a comprehensive plan. Part I: key considerations in putting together the plan. Part II: citizen participation methods. Part III: strategies for getting the plan adopted and implemented.
The 21st Century Plan by Michael Chandler	A look at five ways in which local comprehensive plans are starting to change as we enter the new century: 1. Vision Driven; 2. Thematic Based; 3. Collaborative Effort; 4. Regional Focus; and 5. Moving Beyond Paper.
A Primer on the Politics of Plan Implementation by Bernie Jones	Advice on how best to ensure that your community's comprehensive plan gets adopted and implemented.
Roundtable Discussion on Plan Adoption & Implementation with Bernie Jones, Michael Chandler, and Elaine Cogan	PCJ columnists Mike Chandler and Elaine Cogan join Bernie Jones in responding to questions from the Editor of the PCJ on the plan adoption process.
Capital Improvement Programs by Michael Chandler	A series of three short article by Michael Chandler covering the basics of putting together a capital improvement program.
Bright Idea: Don't Stop, Thinking About Tomorrow by Wayne Senville	Sussex County, Maryland, envisioned itself on the cover of Time magazine as the best place to live in the U.S. From the PCJ's special Bright Ideas series.
Basic Tools of the Planning Trade:
Bright Idea: "We Want Public Participation" by Wayne Senville	That's the message the Montgomery County, Virginia, board of supervisors conveyed to the planning commission. From the PCJ's special Bright Ideas series.
Citizen Surveys: Taking Your Community's Pulse by Thomas I. Miller	A growing number of communities are augmenting traditional meetings and forums with citizen surveys. Respected surveyor Thomas I. Miller provides an introduction to the art and science of developing and using surveys.
Engaging the Public by Larry Frey, AICP	As planning commissioners, it is vital that you find meaningful ways to engage the public in the planning process -- beyond simply posting notices and advertising public meetings.
Working With Planning Consultants by C. Gregory Dale, FAICP	A three part series outlining the elements to successfully getting started on a project that will involve consultants; using requests for qualifications (RFQ) to find planning consultants; and steps planning departments can take to ensure good working relationships.
ProForma 101: Getting Familiar with a Basic Tool of Real Estate Analysis by Wayne Lemmon	The proforma is the basic go/no-go analysis that developers use. Knowing how to read a proforma will give you a better understanding of what goes into putting together a project -- and the challenges developers often face.
Preparing Successful Grant Proposals by Tobin Scipione	Preparing a winning grant proposal requires the 3 C's: a clear concept, a concrete strategy, and creative goals. Advice on researching and writing a proposal you and your community will be proud of.
	Take a look also at our other "Taking a Closer Look" reprint sets