by M. Dougherty, WVU
Planning
an orderly, open approach to determining local needs and wants, describing a vision of community's desired future, setting goals, priorities, and taking action.
Zoning, capital improvements, and sub-division ordinances guide land use decisions.
Planning is not ...
- An attempt to replace market forces or stop growth altogether
- it is to manage future community development
- A Magic bullet, or a tool of immediate change
- it is a tool to foster long-term impact
- Static or only done once
- the same as zoning
A Good Plan Can ...
- Control taxes and preserve or protect: Farmland, private property rights, the environment, etc
- Guide and promote development
- Lead to consistent decision making over time
- Most importantly: achieve your desired "vision" - what you want for the future
Planning Involves Four Basic Questions for the community ...
- Where is it now?
- How did it get there?
- Where does it want to be?
- How does it get there?
Question: Are communities that plan more highly "developed"?
Source: T. Wilson and G. Blonde, Lay of the Land, Land Use Education Program, 2002, Univ. of Wisconsin.
