Planetizen Test 1
The northeast 1/4 of the southeast 1/4 of Section 4 contains how many acres? Select one: A. 20 B. 160 C. 40 D. 10
C. 40 The Public Land Survey System is the surveying method used historically. It covered a large portion of the United States to survey and spatially identify land parcels before designation of eventual ownership, particularly for rural, wild or undeveloped land
The Standard State Zoning Enabling Act authorize a board of adjustment to do the following: I. hear and decide appeals from determinations made by local zoning officials II. grant variances to provide relief from the terms of the zoning ordinance III. enact and amend zoning ordinances IV. develop a comprehensive plan Select one: A. I only B. I and II only C. I and III only D. I, II, III, and IV
B. I and II only Boards of adjustment are quasi judicial rather than legislative. They do not have the power to enact zoning ordinances
Which of the following does NOT constitute a conflict of interest according to the AICP Code of Ethics? Select one: a. Reviewing a rezoning case for a property your brother owns. b. Accepting a bribe from a homebuilder. c. Providing private information about a case to an environmental group. d. Working for a developer who has a case before your employer.
c. Providing private information about a case to an environmental group. While all of these answers are unethical, providing private information about a case to an environmental group does NOT constitute a conflict of interest according to the AICP Code of Ethics.
_____________ is expressed as births per 1,000 persons calculated by the number of recorded live births in a year divided by the mid-year female population between the ages of 15 and 44. Select one: a. General Fertility Rate b. Women's Fertility Rate c. Raw Birth Rate d. Age-specific birth rate
a. General Fertility Rate The General fertility rate is the number of live births per 1000 women between the ages of 15 and 44 years.
The 1909 Plan of Chicago was revolutionary in planning history for many reasons. Which of the following reasons is not associated with the plan's significance? I. The plan was implemented, maintained, and expanded upon for fifty years. II. The plan was initiated and paid for by private business owners III. The plan addressed areas outside the central city. IV. Citizens of the city were educated about the plan. Select one: a. I only b. II and III only c. III and IV only d. I, II, III and IV
a. I only The plan was not fully implemented and later plans replaced the Plan for Chicago
You have been hired by the state department of agriculture to form a state food policy council that will work with key stakeholders across the state. You have recruited members and are setting the agenda for the year. Which of the following do you plan to address? I. food deserts II. land use management III. obesity rates IV. preservation of agricultural lands Select one: a. I, III, and IV b. II and IV c. I, II, III, and IV d. I and IV
a. I, III, and IV Many states have food policy councils focused on education and policy. Food policy councils typically avoid issues directly dealing with regulation, as these are managed by other organizations.
Who wrote "The Geography of Nowhere," a book about suburban sprawl and its impact on American communities? Select one: a. James Kunstler b. Robert Putnam c. Richard Sennett d. Thomas Friedman
a. James Kunstler
This US Supreme Court case overturned the "substantial advancement" test established in the Agins (1980) case: Select one: a. Lingle v. Chevron b. San Remo Hotel v. San Francisco c. Rancho Palos Verdes v. Abrams d. Kelo v. City of New Haven
a. Lingle v. Chevron Lingle v. Chevron overturned the "substantial advancement" test established in the Agins (1980) case. In this case Hawaii enacted a limit on the rent oil companies could charge dealer service stations. The rent cap was a response to concerns about gas prices. Chevron argued the the cap was an unconstitutional taking of its property. The district court held that the cap amounted to an uncompensated taking in violation of the Fifth Amendment, because it did not substantially advance Hawaii's public interest in controlling gas prices. The court cited the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Agins v. City of Tiburon (1980), where the Court declared that government regulation of private property is "a taking if it does not substantially advance legitimate state interests."
Who is associated with "The City as a Growth Machine" Theory? Select one: a. Logan and Molotch b. Arendt c. Calthorpe d. Duany
a. Logan and Molotch
You are leading a visioning process early on in the planning process to encourage citizen involvement and you want to encourage everyone in the community to participate. To have a highly successful visioning process which of the following is critical? Select one: a. Media involvement b. Child care for participants c. Staff buy-in d. Surveys people can complete
a. Media involvement Media involvement will be critical for getting the word out and encouraging inclusive participation. While the other factors are important and should be part of a public engagement process, media attention is the most critical factor to encourage participation and publicize the ongoing effort, according to Local Planning: Contemporary Principles and Practices
These areas are legislatively authorized because they demonstrate a nationally unique natural, cultural, historic or scenic resource and link natural and cultural resources. These are known as: Select one: a. National Heritage Areas b. Natural Resources c. National Monuments d. National Historic Sites
a. National Heritage Areas National Heritage Areas can be established through an act of Congress, with assistance from the National Park Service. They are managed at a local or regional level.
As a rural county planner you see change occurring. There has been an increase in people from the city an hour away moving into your county. You want to engage the public in planning for the future of the county. You have decided that you want to not only get information from the public, but also have them analyze the information that would be used in the plan. The educational level of the community is relatively low, so you need to use techniques that will work for a non-literate group. Which of the following is most appropriate? Select one: a. Participatory Rural Appraisal b. Plebiscite c. Participatory Television d. Samoan Circle
a. Participatory Rural Appraisal Participatory Rural Appraisal is a group of techniques that allow for the provision and analysis of information by the public. These are typically highly visual including creation of maps or picture cards.
As a result of Dolan v. Tigard, when municipalities impose conditions upon land use approvals for individual parcels they must first do all of the following except: Select one: a. Require development impact fees in lieu of land dedication. b. Develop precise findings. c. Avoid requiring dedications that would restrict the property owner's right to use a portion of the property. d. Develop findings that quantify the projected impact of the project on public facilities.
a. Require development impact fees in lieu of land dedication. This case was regarding the takings, but did not state that impact fees are required in lieu of land dedication.
You are drafting a sustainable energy policy for the county. Which of the following would have the highest albedo? Select one: a. Snow b. White roof c. Asphalt d. Shingled Roof
a. Snow Snow would have the highest albedo. Albedo is the portion of solar energy reflected from the Earth back into space, measuring the reflectivity of the earth's surface. Ice and snow has a high albedo with most of the sunlight hitting the surface bounces back towards space.
Which level of government would be most likely to plan for a sustainable multimodal freight system? Select one: a. State b. Regional c. Local d. Neighborhood
a. State Multimodal freight planning typically happens at a national and state level, focusing on supporting adequate, convenient and safe access for goods movement. According to the APA Surface Transportation Policy Guide freight planning should seek to facilitate good movement, while addressing potential negative impacts.
As a planner for the State of Wyoming, you have been appointed to work with a legislative task force that is looking into land use regulation in the state. In preparing for the first meeting of the task force, you want to bring forward relevant research and materials that could aid the task force. Which of the following documents produced by the APA would be most appropriate to provide? Select one: a. The Growing Smart Legislative Guidebook b. The New Urbanism Handbook c. The Revised Standard State Zoning Enabling Legislation d. The Smart Growth Guide
a. The Growing Smart Legislative Guidebook The correct answer is The Growing Smart Legislative Guidebook. This 2002 document by Stuart Meck, FAICP provides state and local governments with tools for better growth.
Which of the following is used to project future economic activity? Select one: a. Twelve leading indicators b. Interest rate c. Unemployment rate d. Stock market
a. Twelve leading indicators The US Department of Commerce uses an index of twelve leading indicators to measure the direction of the economy. These include interest rates, stock prices, oil prices, unemployment, housing starts and consumer expectations are all part of the leading indicators.
Which of the following is an effective way to validate community opinion? Select one: a. Work with neighborhood organizations b. Hold a public hearing c. Conduct a citizen survey d. Ask for written comments
a. Work with neighborhood organizations Working with neighborhood organizations is an effective way to make sure feedback from citizens, such as through surveys resonates.
This form of development includes a building that is sited on one or more lot lines with no yard, the intent of which is to allow a more flexible site design and to increase the amount of usable open space. This is known as which of the following? Select one: a. Zero lot line b. Conservation subdivision c. Planned Unit Development d. Zero Based Budget
a. Zero lot line A structure located on a lot that comes up to or very near to the edge of the property line. Rowhouses, garden homes, patio homes and townhomes are all types of properties that may be zero-lot-line homes.
Design with Nature was a book that... Select one: a. called for the institutionalization of environmental policy. b. advocated mixed use development. c. was written by Saul Alinsky. d. served as a model for transportation planners.
a. called for the institutionalization of environmental policy.
There is a significant lack of affordable housing in the community. You have drafted an amendment to the zoning ordinance that would allow secondary units in the rear yard. As part of the staff report you are attempting to demonstrate how this would boost the income of existing property owners. In your example, you explain that a homeowner could take out a loan for $100,000, costing $500 per month to build the granny flat. The flat would rent for $800 per month. Assuming the property would be vacant 5% of the time, what is the net operating income of the property? Select one: a. $300 b. $3,120 c. $30,000 d. $31,120
b. $3,120 Net Operating Income = Gross Operating Income X (1 - the vacancy rate) - operating expenses. $9,600 X (1 - 0.05) - $6,000 = $3,120. The use of granny flats could serve as a source of income for local residents and help meet the need of the community.
A developer is pushing for rezoning of a property to allow for a mixed use development that would include 500 housing units, 50,000 square feet of retail and 20,000 square feet of office. While the development concept is sound, the city's infrastructure is at maximum capacity. In the staff report which of the following would best present the case: I. At the present time the city's sewer system does not extend to this area and the road infrastructure is inadequate to handle the anticipated traffic from this development. II. At the present time water pressure is inadequate to support this number of housing units. III. At the present time, the City does not have a storm water management system that could handle the increase in storm water runoff. IV. At the present time the City lacks any parkland within one mile of the development and the road nearest to the development has a level of service D making this an inap
b. At the present time the city's sewer system does not extend to this area and the road infrastructure is inadequate to handle the anticipated traffic from this development. Deficiencies in sewer and roads significantly constraint land development, making the site unsuitable for substantial development at the present time. While lack of parks, stormwater and water pressure are all relevant, the most significant constraint on land development is sewer service and roads.
A theorist associated with incrementalism is: Select one: a. Frank Lloyd Wright b. Charles Lindblom c. John Friedmann d. Ebenezer Howard
b. Charles Lindblom
The City plans to invest $25 million towards the redevelopment of a blighted area near Plannersville State University. The city will be acquiring land through eminent domain, clearing the sites, and installing new infrastructure. The City will then work out a deal with private developers to redevelop the sites. Citizens are concerned about the investment of this much in tax dollars for private redevelopment projects. One major concern is how the area will look when the project is complete. Which of the following planning tools would be most appropriate to use in this situation? Select one: a. Light Detection and Ranging b. CommunityViz c. UrbanSim d. Geographic Information System
b. CommunityViz CommunityViz is a software program that allows for the creation of 3-D models to assist citizens in visualizing change in an area.
You are in an agricultural county which is beginning to experience exurban development pressure. It started with a few wealthy business people establishing horse farms in the area, which was consistent with the agricultural district requirements. More recently there have been a number of development requests for large lot subdivisions with lots sizes ranging from 2 to 10 acres. The County permitted these. Now the County Commissioners have recognized that this is the beginning of a trend. They have asked you, as the County Planner, to bring forward one or more strategies that would protect agriculture in the county. Which of the following would best protect and preserve agricultural land? Select one: a. Adoption of an agricultural zoning district b. Development of a purchase of development rights program c. Pass a state Right to Farm law d. Development of a transfer of development rights program
b. Development of a purchase of development rights program The correct answer is development of a purchase of development rights program. While the other answers would protect agricultural land, a purchase program guarantees that land will be preserved in perpetuity.
Urban design is best described as including which of the following: Select one: a. Aesthetics of buildings b. District focus c. Transportation focused d. Access
b. District focus Urban design typically works at a district level. While aesthetics are part of urban design, the district focus is the most accurate.
The city is considering a new zoning requirement that would require a 10 foot setback from waterways. In preparing the ordinance amendment for presentation to the planning commission and city council you use which of the following to present a spatial analysis of the impact of the ordinance? Select one: a. Polygon b. Euclidean buffer c. Geodesic buffer d. Vector data model
b. Euclidean buffer A Euclidean buffer measures the distance in two-dimensional Cartesian plan - that is straight line distances are calculated. This type of buffer works well when working at a city scale. A geodesic buffer accounts for the curvature of the earth and would be used when the map projection is at a large regional scale or global scale. A polygon connects specific points, because this is a standard distance from waterways a buffer makes more sense. A vector data model is an overarching term that would cover buffering, overlays, distance measurement and spatial statistics.
You are designing a survey to determine the public's views on environmental protection. You are taking a simple random sample. Which of the following best describes how your sample will be selected? Select one: a. Everyone in the population has an equal chance of being selected b. Every Xth person will be surveyed c. The population is divided into classes from which samples are taken d. Use of individuals that are readily available
b. Every Xth person will be surveyed In a simple random sample everyone in the population has an equal chance of being selected. One example of a simple random same would be to select a number at random and then selecting every Xth person after that.
The City Council is considering a proposal to annex 200 acres of land into the city. At a public hearing, citizens voice concerns that the city currently has a deficit and that the new development won't generate enough tax revenue to pay for the needed police, fire, and solid waste services the city would have to provide for the area. Which cost analysis method would be most appropriate for the city planner to use to study the potential fiscal effects of the proposed annexation? Select one: a. Cost-benefit analysis b. Fiscal impact analysis c. Cost-effectiveness analysis d. Cost of community services study
b. Fiscal impact analysis
Which of the following are key functions that taxes serve? I. Redistribution of income II. Generation of revenue to finance government III. Ensure equitable distribution of costs IV. Encourage tax sheltering Select one: a. I only b. I and II only c. I, II, and III only d. I, II, III, and IV
b. I and II only Taxes redistribute income and provide a source of revenue to pay for government goods and services.
You are preparing a memo to the city manager about what will be involved in a planned community visioning process. Which of the following would you include: I. Public Participation II. Demographic Forecast III. Alternative Futures IV. Goals Select one: a. I only b. I and II only c. I and III only d. I, II, III and IV
b. I and II only Visioning includes broad public participation and is based on key information about the community, such as the demographics of the community. Alternative futures and goals would be part of comprehensive planning, but not visioning.
You have been charged with developing a regional agricultural development plan. As part of the planning process you will apply an interactive multi-goal programming technique. Which of the following would be most appropriate? Select one: a. Critical path method b. Linear programming c. Program Evaluation Review Technique d. Gannt
b. Linear programming Linear programming is a method for determining an optimal solution. This could apply to a number of planning projects, such as a regional agricultural development plan.
A church located in a residiential neighborhood is requesting a special use permit to allow a second building on the site for a day care center. The neighborhood is strongly opposed to the additional building. Rather than proceed through the normal permit process given the strained relationship between the church and the neighborhood, the Zoning Board of Adjustment suggests that the parties use: Select one: a. Arbitration b. Mediation c. Consensus d. Negotiation
b. Mediation Mediation can occur with city staff or with an outside party. Mediation allows each party to share their perspective on the issues. For example, determining changes needed to make the proposal acceptable to both parties, such as operational practices, such as providing advance notice of events at the church. Following mediation the application would go through the normal hearing process. The November 2011 issue of Planning magazine highlights "The Zoning Dispute Whisperer: Adding Mediation to the Planner's Toolkit".
Which of the following people is known for their involvement in advocacy planning? Select one: a. Charles Lindblom b. Paul Davidoff c. Patrick Geddes d. Susan Arnstein
b. Paul Davidoff
As a city planner for a major city that has a significant traffic challenge at several intersections, the city manager has asked you to study these intersections and identify the highest risk intersections and bring back your analysis within three weeks. You have two interns and a staff planner that can assist with this project. You build a project plan that identifies the critical tasks and how the project can get to completion. What would be the best tool to aid in completion of this project? Select one: a. Hire a project manager b. Program Evaluation and Review Technique c. Cost-Revenue Analysis d. Linear Programming
b. Program Evaluation and Review Technique A Program Evaluation and Review Technique chart would allow for the rapid sequencing of tasks ensuring that the project deadline can be met.
The 2010 Census showed that Plannersville had a population of 50,000. Clintonville is a neighborhood in Plannersville and, in 2000, it represented 10 percent of Plannersville's population. The current population of Plannersville is 55,000. What method could you use to determine the current population of Clintonville? Select one: a. Symptomatic b. Step-down c. Linear d. Cohort survival
b. Step-down
Which of the following is not an example of a growth management program? Select one: a. Urban growth boundary b. Subdivision regulations c. Development impact fees d. Regional tax sharing
b. Subdivision regulations Subdivision regulations primary purpose is for recording land and ensuring the health and safety of residents. While it can be a tool as part of growth management, it is not in and of itself a growth management tool.
A group of university students is interested in demonstrating how an abandoned commercial corridor can be turned around. Which would be the best way to illustrate a design concept creating excitement around potential permanent changes? Select one: a. Economic Incentive Program b. Tactical Urbanism c. Facade Improvement Program d. Design Charette
b. Tactical Urbanism Tactical urbanism represents an activist approach to engaging the community in the possibilities of transforming a space. Tactical urbanism focuses on making an immediate impact in a community.
The Mayor's Office has requested that you conduct a citizen survey to determine satisfaction with city services. You are evaluating whether to use a mail or phone survey. Thinking about telephone surveys, which of the following is the most important negative of using telephone surveys? Select one: a. They are expensive b. They may not reach a representative sample c. They are time consuming d. It may be difficult to find people to conduct the survey
b. They may not reach a representative sample Explanation: Telephone surveys can result in an unrepresentative sample. This is due to a number of factors including the lack of a home telephone (for example cell phone only or no phone at all), the use of caller ID to screen calls, unlisted phone numbers, and no one home at the time of the call. Labor, expense, and time are all factors, but the best choice is an unrepresentative sample.
A ___________ is one that is difficult to solve because of incomplete, contradictory, and changing requirements that can be difficult to understand. Select one: a. Puzzling problem b. Wicked problem c. Perplexing problem d. Evil problem
b. Wicked problem Planning is filled with wicked problems. For example, poverty is not the result of a single factor and there is not a simple or easily understood solution.
Which of the following is the least important element of a historic preservation program? Select one: a. Tax incentives to encourage renovation b. Zoning regulations c. Design guidelines for historic building renovations d. Educational materials for historic building owners
b. Zoning regulations Of these choices, zoning regulations are the least important in a historic preservation program.
Storm sewers are typically designed to handle up to a _____ year flood. Select one: a. 10 b. 100 c. 25 d. 50
c. 25
Which of the following cases was a test of the 14th Amendment Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses? Select one: a. Pennsylvania Coal Co. v. Mahon b. Boerne v Flores c. Hadacheck v. Sebastian d. Metromedia v City of San Diego
c. Hadacheck v. Sebastian Hadacheck v Sebastian was a zoning case testing whether a Los Angeles zoning ordinance violated the 14th Amendment Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses. The Supreme Court found that the ordinance prohibiting the location of a brick manufacturing plant in a specific location in the city did not violate the 14th amendment.
Which of the following cases were about a taking? I. Pennsylvania Coal Co. v. Mahon II. Munn v. Illinois III. Keystone Bituminous Coal Association v. DeBenedictis Select one: a. I only b. II only c. I and III only d. I, II, and III
c. I and III only Pennsylvania Coal and Keystone are about the 5th amendment, Munn is a 14th amendment case
A quasi-judicial process is appropriate for which of the following processes: I. Consideration of a variance request II. Consideration of a conditional use permit III. Adoption of a comprehensive revision to the zoning ordinance IV. Amendment of the Master Plan Select one: a. III and IV only b. II and III only c. I only d. I and III only
c. I only II and III are legislative actions by the governing board; the others are quasi-judicial functions usually performed by the board of adjustment.
Which of the following is an element of Ebenezer Howard's Garden Cities? I. Surrounded by open space II. Include housing, retail, and industry III. Connected by railways IV. Were constructed throughout France Select one: a. I only b. I and II only c. I, II, and III only d. I, II, III, and IV
c. I, II, and III only Garden cities were constructed in the United Kingdom primarily.
The City Manager has approached you to assist the Library Department in the creation of a new library master plan. The master plan calls for the construction of one new library in the next five years to meet demand based on growth in the southwest quadrant of the city. Which of the following should you consider in determining the appropriate size of a new library? I. The size of the property II. The projected population of the service area at the time of build-out III. The inventory of materials to be available for use by library patrons IV. Traffic circulation patterns in and around the site Select one: a. I only b. I and II only c. I, II, and III only d. I, II, III, and IV only
c. I, II, and III only The correct answer is I, II, and III only. Traffic circulation would not be a factor in determining the size of the library. Circulation would be considered in determining the siting of the library.
Three planners work together for a developer for several years before both joining the planning department in a mid-sized city. The planners are close and play on the same community softball league and go out for happy hour every month. After two years at the department, one of the planners returns to the development firm. How does this change the personal and professional relationship of the planners? Select one: a. This has no impact on their personal and professional relationship. b. It will change because they would not be able to continue their business relationship, but it would be possible to continue their personal relationship. c. It will change because the director will need to make sure that permitting cases from the developer are assigned to him rather than the staff planners who are friends. d. It will change because they can no longer see each other in social or professional settings.
c. It will change because the director will need to make sure that permitting cases from the developer are assigned to him rather than the staff planners who are friends. The AICP Code states "We shall avoid a conflict of interest or even the appearance of a conflict of interest in accepting assignments from clients or employers.". If the planner at the development firm were to submit cases to the city Director will need to take responsibility for assignment of cases from the planner with the developer to ensure that the friends do not review the case. Because it is a mid-sized city it is likely that the Director will have to do the reviews themselves.
This author provided seminal contributions to the field of city planning through empirical research on how individuals perceive and navigate the urban landscape. These books explore the presence of time and history in the urban environment, how urban environments affect children, and how to harness human perception of the physical form of cities and regions as the conceptual basis for good urban design. Select one: a. James Kunstler b. Jane Jacobs c. Kevin Lynch d. Rachel Carson
c. Kevin Lynch Kevin Lynch is the author of The Image of the City in 1960.
You are developing a site plan for a new mixed use neighborhood. The neighborhood is based on the neighborhood unit concept. You have placed a school in the center of the neighborhood. You are now working on the street network. Which of the following would be most appropriate to place adjacent to the elementary school? Select one: a. Highway b. Collector c. Local d. Arterial
c. Local The correct answer is local. A local street is designed to service land uses such as single family homes and public uses where young children would be.
The local religious community have united to aid in supporting refugees to relocate from Sudan to the region. This has resulted in a small but significant new minority population arriving into the community. As the planning department, what responsibility do you have to be responsive to the needs of these new community members? Select one: a. Begin learning basic Arabic to allow you to introduce yourself to the community. b. Bring a translator to public meetings. c. Meet with local community leaders to understand the needs of the population. d. Provide notices of public meetings in multiple languages.
c. Meet with local community leaders to understand the needs of the population. The best way to understand how the planning department can support this new group in the community is to reach out to community leaders to understand their needs.
This Appalachian Regional Commission covers 420 counties and 8 cities. This is an example of which of the following spatial areas of practice? Select one: a. Regional b. State c. Multi-State d. National
c. Multi-State
Over time land was subdivided in Franklin County. The result is that a landowner became landlocked and has no access to her property. Which of the following would allow a landlocked property owner the ability to obtain an easement? Select one: a. Inverse condemnation b. Squatting c. Necessity d. Access easement
c. Necessity According to the common law doctrine an easement by necessity is used to allow a landlocked landowner to access a public roadway over another's private land when no other relief is feasible.
General Motors has announced that it will be retooling its automobile factories to move from producing SUVs and trucks to hybrids and small cars. Your city has a SUV factory. GM has announced that it will be closing the plant for the next year while it retools, laying off 600 workers. The mayor is in a panic and wants to know what this will mean to the local economy. You have been asked to calculate an employment multiplier to estimate the total job loss for your community. Which of the following sources would you use. Select one: a. North American Industry Classification System b. Location quotient c. Regional input-output modeling system d. Shift-share analysis
c. Regional input-output modeling system The Regional input-output modeling system provided by the Bureau of Economic Analysis provides employment multipliers based on the North American Industrial Classification System which can be used to calculate a location quotient. A shift share analysis provides information on the region's share of employment in an industry compared to the national share, which is not what the Mayor is looking for.
As the planner for a former industrial city you have watched the population decline over the last thirty years. The Mayor has asked for a plan that will embrace the population decline rather than be concerned with trying to grow the city. You have envisioned the city as one with more green space, reduced infrastructure, and revitalization of underutilized sites. A regional news station has invited you to give an interview about the new plan. The reporter asks a. Sprawl Busting b. Smart Growth c. Smart Decline d. Infill Redevelopment
c. Smart Decline The simple phrase "Smart Decline" best describes the city's plan. Smart decline is a strategy that can be used in shrinking cities to plan for decline.
The City of Plannersville is developing a downtown plan. Over the last 20 years, the downtown area has lost 5,000 housing units and 2,000 jobs. A community survey found that citizens view the downtown area as crime ridden with nothing that would attract them to visit. The goal of the plan is to revitalize downtown and make it attractive to citizens. The plan calls for adding new nodes of activity, including retail and housing opportunities. You are a senior planner with the city and are charged with the implementation of this plan. The plan calls for one activity node to be focused on downtown housing with a park in the center. The 10-acre park will feature a large fountain, seating, and formal flower garden areas. Surrounding the park will be multi-story condominium and townhouse developments. The park is the critical element of this node. Which of the following would be the most effective method for financing the p
c. Tax Increment Financing The correct answer is tax increment financing. TIFs are best used in blighted areas that have the potential for an increased tax base. A TIF is used to finance public improvements through the increase in tax value on the surrounding property. A GO bond and special assessment could be used, but a TIF would be the most effective and politically feasible option.
You are a senior planner for a midwestern county. You recently completed an inventory of vegetative resources within the county. As part of the inventory you discovered that the county has three endangered plant species. Which of the following techniques is best suited for protecting these endangered species from development? Select one: a. Agricultural Preservation zoning b. Overlay zoning c. Urban Growth Boundary d. Down zoning
c. Urban Growth Boundary The correct answer is urban growth boundary. A UGB is the most effective method for preventing development in specified geographic areas.
You work for a large city with 100 people on your staff., split across code enforcement, development, long-range planning, and environmental compliance, and neighborhood relations. You have been asked to reorganize the department, which approach would be most appropriate? Select one: a. Hybrid b. Horizontal c. Vertical d. Matrix
c. Vertical Vertical. A vertical organization works best where there are large and functionally complex organizations. In this case there could be divisions based on function with a chain of command leading from the divisions to the director.
The Supreme Court dealt with which of the following issues in Nectow v. City of Cambridge? Select one: a. Taking b. Freedom of Speech c. Zoning d. Signage
c. Zoning In this case the plaintiff was placed in the R-3 zoning district in error. The plaintiff sued under the 14th amendment claiming a violation of due process.
You are the consultant writing the city's SmartCode. You are preparing a presentation to the planning commission describing the new code for recommended adoption. Which of the following is best to include: Select one: a. A description of the connection between natural and human habitat b. An explanation of the term SmartCode c. The historical evolution of the concept of transects d. A description of the continuum of transects from rural to urban, including all seven transects
d. A description of the continuum of transects from rural to urban, including all seven transects At this stage with adoption forthcoming the consultant would need to cover the details of the proposal. Discussion of the basis for the SmartCode and its origins would best be discussed earlier in the process.
According to the U.S. Census, an urban cluster is all of the following except... Select one: a. A population density that is at least 1,000 people per square mile b. Added in the 2010 Census c. A densely settled territory that has a minimum of 2,500 people but less than 50,000 d. A metropolitan statistical area
d. A metropolitan statistical area The Census Bureau uses the following definition for an urban cluster - Urban Clusters (UCs) of at least 2,500 and less than 50,000 people.
The idea of "Plural Planning" is associated with which planning theory? Select one: a. Mixed Scanning b. Incrementalism c. Communicative d. Advocacy
d. Advocacy
At a social event with the local APA chapter you hear a planner tell you a story. You realize that the planner has violated the AICP Code of Conduct and that you consider it to be a serious violation. How would you go about filing a complaint with AICP? Select one: a. Write an email to the AICP President b. Contact your APA Chapter President to file a complaints c. Write an email to the AICP Ethics Officer d. Complete a form, sign and submit it to the Ethics Officer
d. Complete a form, sign and submit it to the Ethics Officer According to the AICP Code of Ethics "Any person, whether or not an AICP member, may file an ethics complaint against a Certified Planner. An ethics complaint shall be sent to the AICP Ethics Officer on a form developed by the Ethics Officer and posted on the AICP website. The complaint must be signed and include contact information so that the Ethics Committee and the Ethics Officer will know with whom to follow up if questions arise or if the situation otherwise requires follow up."
Which of the following takings tests was established in Agins v. City of Tiburon? Select one: a. Creates a nuisance b. There is a reasonable relationship between the exaction and property c. Contains a rational nexus d. Deprives property of all economically viable use
d. Deprives property of all economically viable use The correct answer is deprives property of all economically viable use. In Agins v City of Tiburon (1980), Agins acquired 5 acres of property zoned for one house per acre. The City then announced it intended to acquire the property and filed an eminent domain action, but later decided to abandon the acquisition plan. Instead the zoning ordinance was amended to allow the construction of one to 5 homes, at the discretion of the city. Agins argued that the construction of one home was economically infeasible and they sued claiming a regulator taking. The court found this case was not ripe because Agins failed to apply for a development permit. That said, the Court held that if a regulation deprives a property of all economically viable use and fails to advance a legitimate governmental interest it constitutes a taking. NOTE that this case was overruled in the First English Evangelical Lutheran Church case in 1987.
You are a planner in an arctic climate. In the winter many retailers close their shops because customers won't go out in the extreme temperatures. You are working on a plan to create an indoor shopping center with a series of stands that would allow retailers and customers to come together in one location. This is an example of: Select one: a. Regional planning b. Rural planning c. Urban planning d. Downtown planning
d. Downtown planning Downtown planning. Planning for downtowns can include a range of topics, including the planning for retail activity.
The City Council is considering a proposal to annex 47 acres of land into the city based on a request by a property owner who intends to develop the property for a mixed use development that include affordable apartments, convenience retail and offices. At a public hearing, citizens voice concerns that the city currently has insufficient fire service and infrastructure to service the development. There is concern that the proposed development will not generate enough tax revenue to support the cost of service. Which cost analysis method would be most appropriate for the city planner to use to study the potential fiscal effects of the proposed annexation? Select one: a. Cost-benefit Analysis b. Cost of Community Services Study c. Cost-effectiveness Analysis d. Fiscal Impact Analysis
d. Fiscal Impact Analysis The correct answer is a fiscal impact analysis. Fiscal impact analysis is most appropriate in a situation in which the land area is specific.
You work for a city of 5,000 with a historic town square with a courthouse in the center as the county seat. Which of the following could be key considerations for your downtown commercial district? I. Historic Preservation II. Parking Capacity III. Wayfinding IV. Small Business Promotion Select one: a. I only b. I and II only c. I, II, and III only d. I, II, III, and IV
d. I, II, III, and IV
You are a planner who will be developing a neighborhood plan. Which of the following techniques would be appropriate in preparing it? I. Surveys II. Focus Groups III. Observation Select one: a. I only b. II only c. I and II only d. I, II, and III
d. I, II, and III
Which of the following communities were developed by the Resettlement Administration? I. Greenbelt, Maryland II. Greenhill, Ohio III. Greendale, Wisconsin Select one: a. I only b. I and II only c. II and III only d. I, II, and III
d. I, II, and III Greenbelt towns which provided affordable housing for federal government workers were planned by Rexford Guy Tugwell, head of the United States Resettlement Administration, under authority of the Emergency Relief Appropriation Act.
Which of the following is true of Shift-Share Analysis? I. Evaluates the national unemployment rate II. Evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of a region's industries III. Evaluates the performance of specific industries IV. Evaluates the mix of industries Select one: a. I only b. I and II only c. II and III only d. II, III, and IV only
d. II, III, and IV only A shift-share analysis, determines what portions of regional economic growth or decline can be attributed to national, economic industry, and regional factors. The analysis helps identify industries where a regional economy has competitive advantages over the larger economy.
I. A state program II. A federal program III. Requires a polluter to pay for site cleanup IV. Holds the current property owner liable for site contamination Select one: a. I, III, and IV only b. I and III only c. I and IV only d. II, III, and IV only
d. II, III, and IV only According to the EPA "EPA's Superfund program is responsible for cleaning up some of the nation's most contaminated land and responding to environmental emergencies, oil spills and natural disasters. To protect public health and the environment, the Superfund program focuses on making a visible and lasting difference in communities, ensuring that people can live and work in healthy, vibrant places." The program holds the current property owner liable for site contamination and requires the polluter to help pay for site cleanup.
What is NOT a goal of site plan review? Select one: a. Provision of adequate parking and loading facilities b. Improve the aesthetics of the proposed project c. Preservation of on-site natural features d. Increase the value of the property
d. Increase the value of the property Site plan review is not associated with property values. Instead it is focused on the provision of infrastructure, preservation of onsite natural features etc.
What is the "push analysis"? Select one: a. It determines the buying capacity of a market area. b. It determines the amount of park space in a community. c. It determines the regulatory requirements in a market area. d. It determines the sales capacity of a market area.
d. It determines the sales capacity of a market area. The correct answer is that it determines sales capacity of a market area. A push analysis determines if the introduction of a new business will generate additional customers.
Which of the following authors wrote Urbanism as a Way of Life? Select one: a. Jane Jacobs b. Raymond Unwin c. Kevin Lynch d. Louis Wirth
d. Louis Wirth
The Columbus Affordable Housing Corporation is a nonprofit housing corporation devoted to developing housing for persons with low or moderate incomes. Much of the housing in Columbus is single-family, but over time there have been a growing number of apartment complexes and other types of multifamily housing. The Corporation is currently evaluating developing a new affordable housing project on three alternative sites. These parcels are zoned for R-3 a medium density single-family zoning district. Each of the parcels varies from five to 10 acres and were formerly commercial sites. Understanding this is a primarily single-family community with some higher density uses, your Corporation would like to propose a project that would be in the middle of the densities found in the community. You are proposing a 22-unit row home project. After carefully evaluating all three sites you have determined that one is superior. This
d. The Columbus Affordable Housing Corporation has a vested right to complete the project that is underway based on the City's existing ordinance. If the City were to rezone the property that would interfere with the Corporation's investment expectations of the property. The Columbus Affordable Housing Corporation has a vested right to complete the project that is underway based on the City's existing ordinance. If the City were to rezone the property that would interfere with the Corporation's investment expectations of the property. A vested right has occurred because the building permit was issued for the project and the property was zoned for the use which is being constructed.
As part of your effort on a watershed plan, you have been calculating a variety of statistics regarding pollution levels across the watershed. You have calculated a measure of dispersion around the mean. This was calculated as the average of the sum of the squared deviations from the mean? In your report you note the: Select one: a. Mean b. Distribution c. Standard Deviation d. Variance
d. Variance The variance is a numerical value used to indicate how widely individuals in a group vary.
You are part of a team that created an amazing waterfront plan. You prepare the submission for consideration for a national award. The lead planner on the project has since moved on to another organization. Given this person left the agency, you list yourself as the lead planner and key contact for the award nomination. Does this raise any ethical concerns? Select one: a. Yes, the award should go to the lead planner on the project b. No, the award will recognize the agency and the agency did the work c. No, if you win you can mention that others were involved in the project that are not present at the awards ceremony d. Yes, this appears that you are taking credit for others work
d. Yes, this appears that you are taking credit for others work The AICP Code of Ethics states "We shall not use the product of others' efforts to seek professional recognition or acclaim intended for producers of original work." In this case the planner could list themselves as the point of contact but also include the lead planner on the nomination and indicate their present affiliation and that they were formerly with the planning agency.
