Glossary of Zoning Terms Flashcards
Agricultural zoning
Retain productive ag lands and preserve open space and preventing loss of aesthetics especially close to metro areas. Also for raising cattle recreation and low density residential. Min 20-40 acres
Buffer areas
Parcel to separate incomparable uses such as commercial and residential. 10-25 ft walls fences screen plantings.
Bulk regulations
Requirements that establishes max size and shape of building and location on lot. Maintain open space light and air and pleasing appearance. Size and height of building, gross floor area, floor area ratio-floor area to lot area, yard requirements.
Capital improvement program-c.i.p.
A community’s plan that matches cost of future projects such as water sewers roads schools to anticipated revenues. Govt timetable for constructing permanent improvements, costs and methods of financing. 5-6 yrs updated annually and coordinated with comprehensive planning.
Carrying capacity
Level of use that can be accommodated without damage to natural or human resources, the ecosystem and quality of land air and water.
Central business district
Part of city of town centrally located where most commercial activities are located. Financial, service, retail, govt, entertainment, office. distinguished from shopping centers by wider range of business activities, multiple ownership of property, more intense develop, and traditional street pattern
Cluster zoning
Development pattern for residential commercial industrial institution or combined uses which are clustered rather than evenly distributed. Smaller lot sizes and higher density. Allows to keep open space that is unbuilt able anyway such as slopes ravines wetlands. Save money with shorter streets and utility lines.
Aesthetic zoning
Designed to create preserve and promote beauty. Promotes community interest. Public welfare outweighs individual property owner.
Comprehensive Plan
Document for guiding the future development of county city of part of one. public input, study and analysis of existing physical economic environmental and social conditions. land use, circulation elements are required by the enabling legislation. housing, recreation, open space, or conservation are optional. plan serves as a guide for making land use changes preparation of implementing ordinances (zoning platting) preparation of capital improvement programs and rate, timing, and location of future growth.
plat
plot of land, plan or make of a map of an area of land
condemnation and eminent domain
taking of private property by govt unit when owner will not relinquish it through sale or other means. Used to acquire highways, street widening, parks and utility construction. Also for private use in the public interest such as urban renewal and removal of dilapidated structures. Terms used interchangeably. Condemnation may mean demolition by public authority of unsafe structure with compensation is paid to owner and does not become public land.
conditional use and permit
Special requirements or possibly safety hazards have detrimental effects on surrounding properties but may be compatible with other uses if properly designed. Granted after careful review by board of adjustment hearing officer or zoning adjustor. Prescribes necessary standards that will make the use acceptable in the district. Public utilities, schools, churches and community centres are often considered conditional uses insigne family residential zone.
Conflict of interest
public officers have a duty of serving the public with uninfluenced actions or biases. Disqualifies a public officer from voting on particular matter that is personal or private. Actions are required to be fair in fact. Appearance of fairness doctrine.
Covenant
Agreement written into deeds and other instruments promising performance or nonperformance of certain acts. Need a written document, mutual interest in the property, concern with the use of land rather than with individual characteristics of ownership. Used to establish a subdivision and restrict use of lots in the development to a certain type of use such as single family dwellings. Used in rezoning with contract or conditional rezoning to bind landowner to use property in specific matter to achieve desired goal.
Cumulative (pyramidal) zoning
least protected zone such as industrial district would permit all uses allowed in all other districts and in effect is not zoned.
dedication
assignment of private property to a specific public use and acceptance for use by got agency. dedication for roads, parks, open space, schools, are increasingly required as a condition for approval of a development. Easement may include dedication for scenic non access pedestrian utility drainage floodway air space and other purposes. Where dedication is not appropriate, a cash payment may be authorized (fee in lieu of)
Dedication, fee in lieu of
cash payments as a substitute for dedications where mandatory dedication of land is inappropriate.
Density
Usually expressed per acre. housing per unit.
Density zoning
Cluster zoning, overall density restrictions, any dwelling is permitted as long as total density does not exceed the maximum permitted. Offers flexibility in site design as long as restrictions are met.
Development impact fees
fee or tax on developers to pay for the communities cost of providing services to a new development. Involve effort to predict the total cost of the community for serving the new development. relate it to tax revenues.
Development ordinance
Combination of zoning subdivision and other regulation into a single integrated code to cover all the provision appropriate to the conversion and development of land.
Development rights
when property is purchased the purchaser acquires a number of rights. Rights to build a home, develop, remove minerals, use water. Rights depend on zoning.
downzoning
change in zoning classification, less intensive. multifamily to single family. or commercial to residential.
due process
proceedings be carried out in accordance with established rules and principles. Two: procedural and substantive. Procedural all parties to proceeding are treated fairly and equally and a right to be heard, info is available to all, conflict of interest are avoided, corruption does not exist. Substantive payment by govt of just compensation to property owners when property is condemned by govt. or diminished in value by govt actions.
