Local governments, municipalities, and counties establish development goals by creating a comprehensive plan. The comprehensive plan, also known as a master plan, is not a regulatory document but rather a guide to planning for change rather than reacting to proposals. The comprehensive plan:
- usually is long term, perhaps 20 years or longer,
- a general plan that can be revised and updated more frequently,
- plans for specific areas,
- strategic plans.
Systematic planning for orderly growth consists of the following basic elements:
- Land use, that is, a determination of how much land may be proposed for residence, industry, business, agriculture, traffic and transit facilities, utilities, community facilities, parks and recreational facilities, floodplains, and areas of special hazards
- Housing needs of present and anticipated residents, rehabilitation of declining neighborhoods, as well as new residential developments
- Movement of people and goods, highways and public transit, parking facilities, and pedestrian and bikeway systems
- Community facilities and utilities schools, libraries, hospitals, recreational facilities, fire and police stations, water resources, sewage and waste treatment and disposal, storm drainage, and flood management
- Energy conservation to reduce energy consumption and promote the use of renewable energy sources
The preparation of a comprehensive plan involves surveys, studies, and analyses of housing, demographic, and economic characteristics and trends. A given municipality’s planning activities may be coordinated with other government bodies and private interests to achieve orderly growth and development.
