DOCSLIB.ORG

Local Government Comprehensive Planning Enabling Act of 1994 I-1

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Local Government Comprehensive Planning Enabling Act of 1994 I-1 Foreword This Guide is intended to be a reference tool for local officials who administer planning and land use regulations. It explains in detail the Comprehensive Planning Enabling Act of 1994 as well as general legal and liability issues involved in planning and zoning. Danny C. Crowe contributed to the update of this publication in 2018. February 2018 Check www.masc.sc (keyword: publications) for the latest version of Municipal Association publications. Table of Contents Chapter 1 Planning Planning Legislation in South Carolina 1 Local Planning Organizational Structures 1 Municipal Planning Commission 1 County Planning Commission 1 Joint Municipal-County Planning Commission 1 Municipal Planning Commission with Extraterritorial Jurisdiction 2 County Planning Commission Designated as Municipal Commission 2 Planning Commission Serving Multiple Municipalities 2 Consolidated Political Subdivision Planning Commission 2 Jurisdiction of Municipalities and Counties 2 Local Planning Commission Function and Duties 3 Specific Planning Activities 3 Zoning Functions 4 Land Development Functions 4 Landscaping and Aesthetics 4 Capital Improvements Program 5 Development Impact Fees 5 Planning Commission Membership, Organization and Operation 6 Membership 6 Officers 6 Rules of Procedure 7 Freedom of Information Act 7 Records 7 Financing 8 Educational Requirements for Planning Commission 8 The Comprehensive Planning Process 9 Planning Process 9 Comprehensive Plan Elements 10 Periodic Revision Required 12 Procedure for Adopting Plan or Amendments 13 Review of Public Project 13 Chapter 2 Zoning Zoning Powers 15 Purpose of Zoning 15 Legislative Function 16 Zoning Tools 16 Zoning Ordinance Elements 16 Factors Regulated by Zoning 17 i Zoning Techniques 17 Planned Development District 19 Cash or Dedication In Lieu of Parking 20 Zoning Ordinance 21 Procedure for Adopting Zoning Ordinances 21 The 2004 “Vested Rights Act” Amendments 22 Statutory Role of Federal Military Facilities in Zoning and Planning 23 Legal Issues in Zoning 24 Challenge to Ordinance Validity 24 Religious Uses of Land 24 Public Property Subject to Zoning 26 Homes for Handicapped Exempt 27 Fair Housing Act 28 Nonconforming Uses 29 Pending Ordinance Doctrine 30 Spot Zoning 31 Takings 32 Sexually Oriented Businesses 34 Modular, Manufactured and Mobile Homes 36 Zoning Administration 38 Zoning Official 38 Powers and Duties 39 Estoppel 39 Board of Zoning Appeals 41 Creation of Board 41 Organization and Operation 42 Freedom of Information Act 43 Educational Requirements for Board of Zoning Appeals 43 Powers of the Board of Zoning Appeals 43 Administrative Review 44 Variances 44 Standards for Granting Variances 45 Special Exceptions 46 Appeals to Board 46 Time Limits for Appeals 47 Procedure for Appeals to Board 48 Appeal to Circuit Court 50 Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies 52 Chapter 3 Board of Architectural Review Purpose 53 Composition and Qualifications 53 Organization and Operation 54 ii Freedom of Information Act 55 Educational Requirements for Board of Architectural Review 55 Powers 55 Appeals 55 Enforcement 59 Historic Preservation Ordinance 60 Historic Preservation Ordinance Elements 60 Chapter 4 Zoning Enforcement Procedures Permits 63 Stop Orders 63 Injunction and Mandamus 64 Ordinance Summons 64 Warrant 65 Conflict with Other Laws 66 Liability 66 Tort 66 Civil Rights 66 Chapter 5 Land Development Regulation Definitions 69 Purpose of Land Development Regulations 70 Requirements Which May Be Included 70 Adoption and Amendment 71 Enforcement 71 Penalties for Violation 72 Administration 72 Plat and Plan Approval 72 Record of Actions and Notification 73 Appeals 73 Determining Existence of Restrictive Covenant 74 Dedication and Acceptance of Streets or Property 74 Street Names 74 Land Development Ordinance Checklist 76 Chapter 6 Official Map Definition 77 Official Map Prerequisites 77 Official Map Adoption 78 iii Enforcement and Appeal Procedure 78 Property Exemption Procedure 79 Chapter 7 Development Agreements Purpose 81 Development Permits 81 Minimum Requirements 81 Contents of Agreement 82 Adoption of Agreement 83 Applicable Laws 83 Periodic Review 84 Annexation or Incorporation 84 Recording Agreement 84 State and Federal Laws 85 Checklist for Development Agreements 86 Appendix A - Checklist and Training Aids A-1 Implementation Checklist for Comprehensive Planning Act of 1994 A-1 Comprehensive Planning and Implementation Chart A-5 Comprehensive Plan Implementation Through Zoning Chart A-6 Comprehensive Plan Responsibilities A-7 Zoning Ordinance Responsibilities A-7 Architectural Review Responsibilities A-9 Land Development Regulations Responsibilities A-10 Variances and Special Exceptions A-11 Unnecessary Hardship Worksheet A-12 Freedom of Information and Ethical Considerations A-13 B - Model Ordinances Establishing a Municipal (or County) Planning Commission B-1 Establishing a Municipal Joint Area Planning Commission and Initiating Development of Comprehensive Plan B-2 Establishing Joint City-County Planning Commission B-4 Designating County Planning Commission as Planning Commission of Municipality B-6 C - Planning Commission Rules of Procedure C-1 D - Board of Zoning Appeals Rules of Procedure D-1 E - Board of Architectural Review Rules of Procedure E-1 F - Sample Forms for Board of Zoning Appeals F-1 G - Sample Forms for Notices G-1 H - Sample Forms for Zoning Actions H-1 I - South Carolina Local Government Comprehensive Planning Enabling Act of 1994 I-1 iv J - South Carolina Local Government Development Agreement Act J-1 K - Educational Requirements Certification Form for Local Government Planning or Zoning K-1 v vi Chapter 1 - Planning Planning Legislation in South Carolina The authority for local governments to undertake planning and to adopt zoning and land development regulations is granted by the General Assembly. The General Assembly authorized municipal planning and zoning in 1924 and county planning in 1942. The Local Government Comprehensive Planning Enabling Act of 1994 replaced the 1967 Act, repealed all of the above statutes and required all local comprehensive plans, zoning and land development ordinances conform to the 1994 Act by December 31, 1994. The 1994 Act, with subsequent amendments, is codified at S.C. Code Title 6, Chapter 29. Local Planning Organizational Structures Local governments must establish a local planning commission to begin comprehensive planning. Several types of planning commissions may be created by ordinance. S.C. Code § 6-29-310 through § 6-29-380. See Appendix B for model ordinances. Municipal Planning Commission A municipal council can create a municipal planning commission of five to 12 members. The commission’s authority is limited to the corporate limits of the municipality. County Planning Commission A county council can create a county planning commission of five to 12 members. The commission’s authority is limited to the unincorporated area of the county. Joint Municipal-County Planning Commission A municipal council (or multiple municipal councils) and a county council can create a joint planning commission by ordinance adopted by each participating municipality and the county council. A planning commission which serves two political subdivisions can have five to 12 members. If a commission serves three or more political subdivisions (e.g., two municipalities and the unincorporated county), its size cannot be greater than four times the number of jurisdictions it serves. For example, a commission serving three municipalities and a county can have a maximum of 16 members. Membership of the joint commission must be proportional to the population inside and outside municipal limits. Authority of the joint planning commission is limited to the geographic area of the participating municipalities and the unincorporated area of the county. The ordinance must specify the number of members to be appointed by each participating municipal council and the county council. 1 Municipal Planning Commission with Extraterritorial Jurisdiction If approved by the county and municipality, a municipal planning commission can exercise planning authority outside the corporate limits of a municipality in areas adjacent to the municipality. The two councils must adopt an ordinance setting forth (1) the affected geographic area; (2) the number or proportion of commission members to be appointed from that area; (3) any limitations on the authority of the municipality in that area; and (4) representation on the municipality’s boards and commissions which affect the unincorporated area. The ordinance may provide for appointment of members of the planning commission from the area outside the municipal limits by either the municipal council or county council. The commission must have five to 12 members. County Planning Commission Designated as Municipal Commission A municipal council may designate by ordinance the county planning commission as the official planning commission of the municipality. The municipal and county councils each must adopt an ordinance setting out their agreement on the specific powers and duties of the commission and addressing the issues of equitable representation of the municipality and county on the planning commission and other boards and commissions resulting from ordinances adopted by the county council that affect the municipal area. Planning Commission Serving Multiple Municipalities Two or more municipal councils may create a joint planning commission to serve them. This could be especially useful for contiguous
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Thriving Communities Coalition Proposal for Comprehensive Planning
    Thriving Communities Coalition Proposal for Comprehensive Planning I. Principles & Comprehensive Planning Mandate ......................................... 2 II. Needs Assessment .................................................................................. 3 A. Community-Level Assessment of Current Local Needs, Access to Opportunity, and Displacement Risk 3 B. Borough-Level 8 C. Citywide Assessment of Projected Future Needs 8 III. Goal-Setting Based on Need .................................................................... 9 1. Growth & Investment Goals By Place ........................................................................... 9 2. Addressing the Needs of Disadvantaged Populations ................................................ 11 IV. Creation of Comprehensive Plan ........................................................... 11 A. Land Use & Infrastructure Framework 12 B. Strategic Policy Statement 12 C. Budgeting 13 1. Ten-Year Capital Plan ................................................................................................. 13 2. Four-Year Expense Plan .............................................................................................. 13 V. Implement, Track, Report & Enforce ..................................................... 13 A. Implementation 13 1. Community Land Use & Infrastructure Planning ........................................................ 13 2. Policy ........................................................................................................................... 15 3.
    [Show full text]
  • Land-Use Planning Methodology and Middle-Ground Planning Theories
    Article Land-Use Planning Methodology and Middle-Ground Planning Theories Alexandros Ph. Lagopoulos 1,2 1 Department of Urban and Regional Planning and Development, School of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; [email protected]; Tel.: (+30)-2310-995-484 2 Academy of Athens, Panepistimiou 28, 10679 Athens, Greece Received: 27 August 2018; Accepted: 17 September 2018; Published: 19 September 2018 Abstract: This paper argues that a monolithic land-use planning “grand narrative” is not sufficiently flexible, but that the fragmentation into innumerable “small narratives” goes against any sense of the existence of an established domain of knowledge. Its aim is to explore the epistemological possibility for “middle ground” theories. The methodology adopted for this purpose is to take as a standard reference the methodological components of comprehensive/procedural planning and to measure against them the methodologies proposed by a corpus of other major land-use planning approaches. The outcome of this comparison is that for more than half a century, planning theories in the field of urban and regional planning have been revolving incessantly around the methodological components of the comprehensive model, which seem, at least at the present stage of our knowledge, to be the universal nucleus of the land-use planning enterprise. This paper indicates on this basis the prerequisites for the construction of middle-ground land-use planning theories and how we can pass from the formal contextual variants to real life contexts through the original articulation of planning theory with input from the findings of the actual planning systems.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 2: the Goals & Objectives Comprehensive Plan 2025
    CChhaapptteerr 22:: TThhee GGooaallss && OObbjjeeccttiivveess CCoommpprreehheennssiivvee PPllaann 22002255 Goals & Objectives A Community Vision The City of Greenville has taken an important step in guiding its future with the decision to undertake this comprehensive planning process. The purpose of the Goals & Objectives chapter of the Comprehensive Plan is to state clear goals for the City and to identify clear directions that should be taken to achieve such goals. It is the goals and objectives established herein that will determine the focus of the Comprehensive Plan recommendations contained within subsequent chapters. In essence, Greenville’s Comprehensive Plan should reflect: …public decision-making, which emphasizes explicit goal-choice and rational goals-means determination, so that decisions can be based on the goals people are seeking and on the most effective programs to achieve them. People and Plans: Essays on Urban Problems and Solutions, Herbert J. Gans, Preface, pg. vii Identifying and establishing a community vision are important parts of the process of identifying goals and objectives. The following vision statement was devised during the comprehensive planning process. This vision statement has been used as a guide in establishing the goals and objectives within this chapter and in determining Plan recommendations. The City of Greenville should be a community that is safe, friendly, and family-oriented where residents enjoy affordable homes, quiet, safe neighborhoods, and a positive community spirit; the City should attract and promote thriving businesses which provide goods and services for our community and the surrounding area. Illustration 2-1 A Clear Vision Is Important for the Future of Greenville Comprehensive Plan 2025 2-1 Chapter 2 Goals & Objectives Chapter 2 2-2 Comprehensive Plan 2025 Goals & Objectives Issue Identification At the February 4th, 2003 Steering Committee meeting, Committee members were asked to identify major issues that they thought Greenville was currently facing or would face in the future.
    [Show full text]
  • Integrating Infill Planning in California's General
    Integrating Infill Planning in California’s General Plans: A Policy Roadmap Based on Best-Practice Communities September 2014 Center for Law, Energy & the Environment (CLEE)1 University of California Berkeley School of Law 1 This report was researched and authored by Christopher Williams, Research Fellow at the Center for Law, Energy and the Environment (CLEE) at the University of California, Berkeley School of Law. Ethan Elkind, Associate Director of Climate Change and Business Program at CLEE, served as project director. Additional contributions came from Terry Watt, AICP, of Terrell Watt Planning Consultant, and Chris Calfee, Senior Counsel; Seth Litchney, General Plan Guidelines Project Manager; and Holly Roberson, Land Use Council at the California Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR), among other stakeholder reviewers. 1 Contents Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 4 1 Land Use Element ................................................................................................................................. 5 1.1 Find and prioritize infill types most appropriate to your community .......................................... 5 1.2 Make an inclusive list of potential infill parcels, including brownfields ....................................... 9 1.3 Apply simplified mixed-use zoning designations in infill priority areas ...................................... 10 1.4 Influence design choices to
    [Show full text]
  • Austin, Texas Marie Le Guen
    Special Issue Urbanities, Vol. 7 · No 2 · November 2017 The Dreams and Nightmares of City Development © 2017 Urbanities Urban Transformations, Ideologies of Planning and Actors’ Interplay in a Booming City — Austin, Texas Marie Le Guen (University Lumière Lyon 2) [email protected] The city of Austin, state capital of Texas, has been experiencing an impressive process of metropolization, while growing very quickly, since the end of the twentieth century. Its successful adaptation to the economy’s global trends and the growth it brings about are destabilizing Austin’s planning system, which is already very constrained in Texas’ most conservative political framework. Increasing tensions between established groups of actors and the emergence of newer ones prompt several changes in the professional and civic culture of the various actors involved in the urban planning field. These changes arise from the fact that these groups of actors are confronted with urban mutations never seen before. The ideology of planning, its meanings and its practices, are also evolving in this economic and social context, allowing for a larger citizens’ participation and putting sustainability on the political agenda. Keywords: Urban planning, public participation, democracy, sustainable development. Introduction Since the end of the twentieth century, Austin, the state capital of Texas, has experienced tremendous population and economic growth, as well as a diversification of its urban functions, which can be condensed into the process called metropolization. Exhibited as a ‘creative city’ (Florida 2002), Austin embodies a successful adaptation to the global trends. The quick growth, partly resulting from this adaptation, is fuelling urban sprawl, causing environmental degradation, and destabilizing its planning system.
    [Show full text]
  • Overview to the Comprehensive Plan I. History of Planning
    Overview to the Comprehensive Plan I. History of Planning When North America was settled by the Europeans, many of the new cities were laid out according to a plan. Some plans stressed a grid pattern for efficient movement of citizens and troops (like Santa Fe, Mobile and Savannah). Other plans, like that of New York, with hundreds of rectangular blocks and no alleys, were based on a plan to get the most money for land speculators. Another city, Washington, D.C., was planned with long radiating avenues and grand plazas to show the World, through its capital city, how great America was and how great America would become. Modern planning, with its emphasis on zoning, housing and transportation, grew out of the efforts of nineteenth century reformers seeking to improve conditions in America's cities. These poor conditions were largely a result of the waves of immigrants coming from Europe. New York, strained by its swelling population, implemented housing reform known as tenement laws. Soon, other major cities around the country then began more elaborate urban improvement projects in what was known as the City Beautiful Movement. Later, in the first part of the twentieth century, cities across the country began to enact zoning and subdivision regulations in an attempt to improve urban conditions through the control of land. With the popularity of the automobile and the end of World War II, cities expanded outward and municipal governments turned to planning as an attempt to contend with the sprawling city. Today, planning continues to focus on the improvement of the urban environment through urban design, planning for housing, historic preservation, environmental planning and transportation planning Planning in Mobile has developed in a similar manner.
    [Show full text]
  • Infill Development Standards and Policy Guide
    Infill Development Standards and Policy Guide STUDY PREPARED BY CENTER FOR URBAN POLICY RESEARCH EDWARD J. BLOUSTEIN SCHOOL OF PLANNING & PUBLIC POLICY RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY NEW BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY with the participation of THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR SMART GROWTH RESEARCH AND EDUCATION UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND and SCHOOR DEPALMA MANALAPAN, NEW JERSEY STUDY PREPARED FOR NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS (NJDCA) DIVISION OF CODES AND STANDARDS and NEW JERSEY MEADOWLANDS COMMISSION (NJMC) NEW JERSEY OFFICE OF SMART GROWTH (NJOSG) June, 2006 DRAFT—NOT FOR QUOTATION ii CONTENTS Part One: Introduction and Synthesis of Findings and Recommendations Chapter 1. Smart Growth and Infill: Challenge, Opportunity, and Best Practices……………………………………………………………...…..2 Part Two: Infill Development Standards and Policy Guide Section I. General Provisions…………………….…………………………….....33 II. Definitions and Development and Area Designations ………….....36 III. Land Acquisition………………………………………………….……40 IV. Financing for Infill Development ……………………………..……...43 V. Property Taxes……………………………………………………….....52 VI. Procedure………………………………………………………………..57 VII. Design……………………………………………………………….…..68 VIII. Zoning…………………………………………………………………...79 IX. Subdivision and Site Plan…………………………………………….100 X. Documents to be Submitted……………………………………….…135 XI. Design Details XI-1 Lighting………………………………………………….....145 XI-2 Signs………………………………………………………..156 XI-3 Landscaping…………………………………………….....167 Part Three: Background on Infill Development: Challenges
    [Show full text]
  • What Is Planning? Forward-Looking Reaching an Agreement
    What is Planning? Forward-looking Reaching an agreement Planning Theory 1) procedural 2) substantive (housing, environment, transportation..) Procedural Theory: 1) Synoptic Rationality a. (1) Goal-setting (2) Identification of policy alternatives (3) Evaluation of means against ends (4) Implementation of the preferred alternative b. Multiple iterations, feedback loops and sub-processes c. Advantage is basic simplicity 2) Incremental Planning (Lindblom, 1959) a. Dismissed rational-comprehensive planning as an impractical ideal b. A science of muddling through: A modest step by step approach which aims at realizable improvements to an existing situation. 3) Advocacy Planning (Paul Davidoff, 1965) a. Challenged the traditional view of “public interest” b. Applied to defending the interest of weak or poorly represented groups, such as low-income, environmental activists, minorities, the disadvantaged etc. c. A direct result of this theory: increasing requirements for environmental, social, and financial impact reports to accompany large scale project proposals. Steps in the Planning Process: 9 Steps (Anderson, 1995) 1) Identify issues and options 2) State goals, objectives, priorities 3) Collect and interpret data 4) Prepare plans 5) Draft programs for implementing the plan 6) Evaluate potential impacts of plans and implementation programs 7) Review and adopt plans 8) Review and adopt plan-implementing programs 9) Administer implementing programs, monitor their impacts Citizen participation: GIS: map making. Advantage: 1) incorporate layers of data for example, a parcel’s property value & housing tenure & zoning classification & condition of the structure….2) used to do “what if analysis” 3) present info at different scales Planning History 1) Public Health Movement a. to guarantee government involvement in public health and safety of the worker.
    [Show full text]
  • Gentrification Task Force Report (2004)
    Report of the Gentrification Task Force October 2004 Table of Contents Page Preface.........................................................................................................................................iii Gentrification Task Force Participants.....................................................................................iv 1.1 Establishment of the Gentrification Task Force.......................................................... 1 1.2 Defining Gentrification................................................................................................. 2 1.3 Effects of Gentrification................................................................................................ 2 1.4 Voluntary and Involuntary Displacement ................................................................... 4 1.5 Gentrification in Savannah .......................................................................................... 4 1.6 Types of Gentrification ................................................................................................. 6 1.7 Task 1: Identification of Vulnerable Neighborhoods ................................................... 7 1.8 Task 2: Review of Thomas Square Land Use and Zoning Plan................................... 8 1.9 Task 3: Review of Comprehensive Plan Goals and Strategies .................................. 10 1.10 Recommendations ....................................................................................................... 10 A. Land Use and Zoning.............................................................................................10
    [Show full text]
  • Master Plan for the City of Garden City, Michigan
    PLAN 2040: GARDEN CITY 2015 MASTER PLAN FOR THE CITY OF GARDEN CITY, MICHIGAN PLAN 2040: GARDEN CITY 2015 MASTER PLAN FOR THE CITY OF GARDEN CITY, MICHIGAN Adopted: September 10, 2015 Amended: December 14, 2017 Prepared by the City of Garden City Planning Commission with the Assistance of McKenna Associates 235 E Main St, Suite 105 Northville, MI 48167 (248) 596-0920 (telephone) (248) 596-0930 (fax) (888) 226-4326 (toll free) www.mcka.com ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Planning Commission Willbey R. Pistor, Chair Fred May, Vice-Chair Harriette Batchik, Secretary Tim Carner Jeffrey Dold Darin Stark Michael Steenburg Eric Turnbull Ken Versele City Council Randy Walker, Mayor Jayee Lunch, Mayer Pro-Tem Pam King Patricia Squires Margo Arnoske Patricia McKarge Jim Kerwin City Administration / Officials Robert Muery, City Manager, Police Chief Allyson M. Bettis, City Clerk - Treasurer Kimberly Dold, Interim Executive Director, Garden City DDA Dan Plamondon, Parks Supervisor, Parks and Recreation Kevin Roney, Director of Public Services Planning Consultant McKenna Associates PREFACE iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Resolution of Adoption ..................................................................................................................................... i Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................................... iii Table of Contents ...............................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Comprehensive Planning for Small Texas Cities Office Or Rural
    COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING FOR SMALL TEXAS CITIES OFFICE OR RURAL COMMUNITY AFFAIRS OUTREACH AND TRAINING SERVICES 2002 FOREWORD Comprehensive planning can help any community deal with change more effectively and make good use of changes in local economic conditions and resources. The planning process is one approach that can help small cities deal with population growth and the changes it brings. Planning is also very valuable for communities with stable or declining economic situations. The Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association has prepared a rather comprehensive manual to assist planners within this state. Titled A Guide to Urban Planning for Texas Communities , this is an extensive help for planners, yet it goes into far more detail than may be required for the smaller communities. For this reason, we believe that it is appropriate to update this manual, Comprehensive Planning for Small Texas Communities. This is the second edition of this manual, which is designed to provide local officials and citizens in small cities with an easy-to-read guide to the development of a planning program. The report does four things: it describes the elements of comprehensive planning; it suggests an organizational structure for developing and implementing a planning program; it describes the necessary procedure for drawing up a comprehensive plan; and it summarizes the planning process step-by-step. A primary goal of the manual is to encourage the use of local resources and local manpower in the planning process. The original manual was prepared in 1983 by the Texas Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations with financial support from the Texas Department of Community Affairs, now the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.
    [Show full text]
  • Smart Growth
    Introduction The Comprehensive Plan is the official policy document adopted by the City of Eau Claire to guide the City’s decisions about long-term growth and physical development of the Eau Claire community through 2025. The document encompasses all the geographical areas of the community envisioned to be part of the City by 2025, as well as the major public functions and services which bear on physical development. The document identifies a coherent and fiscally responsible development pattern for the Eau Claire community and is intended to encourage consistent public and private decisions about future development. The Comprehensive Plan serves as the basis for the City’s subdivision regulations, official mapping, and amendments to the City Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map. The Plan serves as a guide to the City Council, Plan Commission, and other City advisory boards in reviewing development proposals and preparing the City’s multi-year capital improvements budget. The Plan also serves as a guide to public spending for community facilities, roads, utilities, parks, housing assistance, economic development, and other municipal programs and services. Finally, Wisconsin State Statutes provide that by 2010 the City’s official mapping, subdivision, and zoning actions shall be consistent with the adopted Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan is the most recent in a series of community plans for Eau Claire and builds on many of the directions established in prior plans. The first comprehensive plan for Eau Claire was completed in 1953 and focused on land use. This was followed in 1968 by a more detailed community plan that addressed land use, transportation, community facilities, parks, and the Downtown.
    [Show full text]