Thesis on "Planning Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Plan Zoning"

Thesis 6 pages (1847 words) Sources: 3

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Planning

Having grown from a relatively small community insulated from its neighbors, Madison is now the center of a larger region consisting of various other communities that are often integrated with each other in fulfilling the purposes of their respective development. No longer isolate, Madison nonetheless retains a core of specific principles and values, which are integrated in its Comprehensive Plan. It is for example important to retain the essential character of the city as it grows and develops. One of the most important planning goals for Madison is to enhance the city's unique qualities. The city's values include civic involvement, maintaining education and the economy, the preservation of natural resources, and the preservation of historic districts and neighborhoods. These neighborhoods provides the city's inhabitants with a sense of identity connected with their location.

In order to ensure the sustainability of these values, the city needs to grow within its resources. The survival and continued wellness of future generations are therefore also important values to the community. The values are then manifested in a Comprehensive plan to ensure environmental stewardship and elements such efficient transport and other community services while ensure that the environment remains intact.

There are several elements included in the Comprehensive Plan. They include 1) Issues and opportunities, 2) Housing, 3) Transportation, 4) Utilities and Community Facilities, 5) Agricultural, Natural and Cultural Resources, 6) Economic Development, 7) Intergovernmental Cooperation, 8) Land Use, and 9) Implementation.

Under cultural resources, the Chapter addressing "Historic and Cultural Resources" contain specific information regarding these resources, what they mean to the community, and their preservation in Madison. As mentioned above, Madison's inhabitants place a high value on their cultural heritage, and the landmarks and artifacts representing this heritage. In order to protect and enhance the value of these, several public and private organizations have been created. The Landmarks Commission for example works to preserve and enhance the city's architectural heritage. In this regard, there are five historic districts, 14 National Register Districts, and 165 historic landmarks in the city. The importance of these is related to the core value of the city's rich historic and cultural heritage. It directly concerns the identity and cultural location of the city. This identity is a strong value that enhances the community and its sense of integrated value. It furthermore showcases the city to tourists, enhancing the industry and also the economy of the city. It is therefore important to community members to ensure that these resources remain preserved and that developments and growth occur in such as way as to maintain the important heritage of the city.

Another element is utilities and community facilities. Community facilities apart from parks, streets, and utilities, include the police, fire protection, library services, and schools. These also relate to land use issues and economic sustainability. One of Madison's values is to ensure that all citizens receive equal protection from crime, fire, and other disasters, as well as access to library services and schools for the enhancement of education.

Community facilities -- land use & economic sustainability. Efficient service provision is then dependent upon land use issues as the city expands, the changing demographic situation, and available resources.

As mentioned above, both education, protection and sustainability are at the core of the city's values. Hence community facilities need to be operated and enhanced sustainably to continuously meet the needs of residents. This applies to both existing and new community resources. The placement and support of physical facilities such as schools and new libraries occurs within the context of the changing environment, in terms of both demographics and other building and urban projects. This addresses the value of preserving important landmarks, while also serving the community according to its needs.

3.

The Zoning Code is much more specific than the General Plan. Whereas the General Plan attempts to encompass all the aspects relating to Madison, its future, and its sustainable growth, as these relate to the values and purpose of the community, the Zoning Code tends to focus specifically on the physical aspects of buildings and areas within the community. The Zoning Code therefore serves to ensure that the general goals of the Plan are met and upheld. The Zoning Code therefore serves as a supplement to the Comprehensive Plan.

4.

Under the section entitled Approval of Razing, Demolition, Removal, or Wrecking of buildings, Zoning Code Sec. 28.04(22) states:

It is hereby declared a matter of public policy that the good maintenance and rehabilitation of existing buildings, the preservation of safe and sanitary housing available at reasonable prices, and the careful consideration and planning of changes in the urban landscape are a public necessity and are required in the interest of the health, prosperity, safety, and welfare of the people.

This Section of the Code addresses several goals and visions within the Madison community. It addresses the values and vision related to the interaction of the community with the built environment. Community members are to experience a sense of well-being when living in the community.

In terms of specific elements in the General Plan, the Section addresses housing and economic issues. Housing is both to be of a high standard and at prices that are reasonably affordable to residents. When changes occur, these are to be planned carefully, with the public interest in mind. In terms of the economy, it should therefore be ensured that each resident has access to safe and sanitary housing in Madison city.

Under the section entitled Planned Unit Developments, the Zoning Code Sec. 28.07(6) states:

The Planned Unit Development District is established to provide a voluntary regulatory framework designed to encourage and promote improved environmental and aesthetic design in the City of Madison by allowing for greater freedom, imagination and flexibility in the development of land while insuring substantial compliance to the basic intent of the zoning code and the general plan for community development. To this intent, it allows diversification and variation in the bulk and relationship of uses, structures and spaces in developments conceived as comprehensive and cohesive unified plans and projects. It is further intended to encourage developments consistent with coordinated area site planning.

In terms of community vision and goals, this Section of the Code addresses the sustainable and creative development of the city. This goal is mentioned at the beginning of the Comprehensive plan, with all other elements of the plan combining to serve the purpose of such development.

In terms of specific elements of the Comprehensive plan, the Section emphasizes intergovernmental cooperation, and also land use. Officials and governments are to cooperate to ensure the effective and sustainable development of the community.

5.

I believe that the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance are quite adequate to cover all the elements needed to ensure and guide the future growth of the community. It bases all the elements it mentions upon the initially stated values and goals of the community. Indeed, the Plan also states that the community is to play an important and active part in the planning and future growth of the city. Furthermore, the Plan also states that the elements and the projected actions to reach goals are fluid and subject to change according to actual results related to the plan. This fluidity is also subject to community input. I believe that all possible aspects of the future growth issues have been covered; important community aspects such as the economy and education are addressed, as well as governmental issues such as the economy and governance, along with sustainability issues such as the preservation of natural and cultural resources. All the important aspects are then covered, while the potential to cover any upcoming issues are allowed for. I therefore do not believe that anything needs to be added.

Part B.

B1.

The minimum allowable lot size is estimated in order to ensure the goals of the Zoning Ordinance are met. These goals relate directly to the Comprehensive Plan, in that their purpose is the well-being of citizens and the sustainable growth of the community. The residential development generally includes large to single family residences. Large lots therefore require a low density of resident unites. Recreational, religious and educational facilities are allowed under permit. The minimum area per lot is 33,000 square feet, with a minimum lot width of 115 feet.

B2.

The gross building area per lot should not be more than 40% of the lot area. To calculate the floor to area ratio, 40 is divided by 100, which results in a figure of 0.4. The allowable FAR is therefore 0.4.

B3.

To arrive at the square feet of a building's gross area, the minimum lot size is multiplied by 40%, which results in a result representing 40% of the lot size. In this specific case, 33,000 square feet is therefore multiplied by 40%, with the result of 13,200 square feet. The gross are of a building can therefore 13,200 square feet of the total 33,000 square feet. This includes all the buildings on the plot, to ensure that… READ MORE

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