Encyclopedia of Environmental Science and Engineering, Volume I and II

PLANNING 991

intent of this law is to provide for a careful analysis of the

likely effects of an action prior to use of federal funds. This

law serves to open up the process of government decision-

making to the public. In addition, the NEPA legislation pro-

vides a model for similar environmental scrutiny at the state

and local level, thus providing a network of environmental

planning at all levels of government.

In terms of land use decision-making, there is no central

planning. The federal government role is confined to public

policy, grants in aid and regulatory control (the environmen-

tal controls placed on filling of wetland areas is an issue

which most closely approximates central planning in that

the effect of these regulations can often nullify development

proposals which may be encouraged at the local level).

Information gathering, such as census data provided by

the Department of Commerce, is the key central planning

function used universally by planners in all disciplines and

sectors: statistics and forecasts are used by public agencies,

private consultants and commerce and industry to under-

stand and plan for communities with regard to population,

transportation, housing, the economy and employment and a

host of demographic and industrial data.

At the State level, planning functions are both assumed

from the federal government and conveyed to local govern-

ments. State governments serve to administer federal pro-

grams and assume responsibility for enforcement of some

key planning and environmental responsibilities such as the

Clean Air Act. Often, compliance with federal goals in one

area forms the basis for government aid or funding of related

public initiatives, for example, efforts to comply with air

quality goals are often related to transportation funding. The

State works closely with federal agencies as a conduit for

policy and funding of government programs, often creating

mirror agencies for administration of transportation, historic

preservation and environmental protection. Also parallel and

in association with the federal government, States provide

for the collection and dissemination of statistical informa-

tion such as the census and economic forecasting.

The state government assigns and provides to local gov-

ernments the authority to plan and zone. The power to plan

in its narrow sense, land use control, is based upon the police

power. Planning is seen to protect the health safety and gen-

eral welfare of the public. The majority of planning work is

done at the municipal level (a certain amount of master plan-

ning and regional coordination is provided at the country and

state level). The first element in municipal planning is the

formulation of the Master Plan. The Master Plan or compre-

hensive plan is an amalgam of public policy objectives and

practical information for future planning such as existing

demographic information and trends with projections of the

future to the benefit of landuse plans, transportation plans,

utilities, and education. The master plan should be a unique

reflection of both the physical elements of the city and the

people who live in it. Thus the master plan, which culmi-

nates in a landuse map becomes the guide to the develop-

ment regulations of a city.

The zone plant sets forth the physical controls on uses

and densities within the jurisdictional area. The physical

layout of the city is assigned uses, densities and standards

for development in a land use plan. A zone plan presents the

regulations which carry out a given land use plan. The integ-

rity of a zone plan is as strong as the development review

boards. Planning Boards and Zoning Boards are charged

with maintaining the integrity of the plan with the power to

review subdivision, site plan and various requests.

The site plan review process illustrates the typical plan-

ning exercise and scope and range of municipal review

powers. The site plan review, and variance requests, for

example, a use variance, are subject to review and scrutiny

from a municipal board with regard to the merits of the site

plan, the need for the use, how the use is consistent with the

master plan, how it advances planning goals of the commu-

nity and what hardships or unique physical characteristics

would justify a departure from set development standards

and proscribed uses.

Many municipalities have established environmental

commissions, architectural or historical resource review

boards all which serve to advise in the site plan review pur-

suant to the general welfare. The environmental review at

the municipal level should encompass the full range of rel-

evant issues to asses the scope of the proposed activity and

its likely impact on site and surrounding resources.

ELIZABETH McLOUGHLIN

PS & S Key Span

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