Growth FAQ - Planning & Zoning

What is the difference between the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning?

The Comprehensive Plan is focused on planning for new population growth over the next 20 years. Growing areas generally have three options. First, you can focus on infill development and also consider using greater density. Essentially, this option places an emphasis on growing up instead of out with sprawl. Second, you can allow growth at the edge of a city on currently vacant, rural land. This option focuses on growing out into rural areas instead of utilizing the potential of the existing city. Third, a city could impose a strict urban growth boundary so that it doesn’t grow out but also place limits on infill so that it doesn’t grow up. The problem with this option is that it artificially increases the cost of housing by constraining supply. Communities that follow this path typically have a problem with affordable housing. As children grow up, they can no longer afford housing in such cities and may move elsewhere. This is but one example of the many questions that must be documented and balanced by the Comprehensive Plan.

The Zoning Code, on the other hand, focuses on today. Each parcel is assigned a zoning district. Zoning defines both what can be built and what it will look like. Typical zoning standards include required building setbacks, the maximum height, parking spaces, landscaping, tree preservation, building design, and a variety of other issues.