| Tool | Issues Addressed | Considerations | Examples |
| Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code Consistency Most local jurisdictions use zoning ordinances rather than comprehensive plans to determine what type of development can happen where. Zoning ordinances describe where and what type of land use can take place, but they do not consider the “how” and “when” issues—issues of how new developments will impact the overall community, design (what they should look like), timing (when they should occur based on the communities’ priorities for growth) or financial viability (the ability to finance necessary public infrastructure and services, particularly over the long term). Often the end result is unplanned, relatively uniform development that conforms to minimum building code requirements, low-density zoning ordinances and segregated land uses, or sprawl. Moreover, when coupled with strict building codes and extensive permit requirements, zoning ordinances can make redeveloping central urban sites unfeasible or impractical for developers, while rendering greenfields easy targets for development. Zoning ordinances need to be used as a tool for implementing a comprehensive plan, not as development/growth policies themselves. Case law reveals that land development regulations cannot be arbitrary. Hence, it is always in the best interest of a community to ensure that there is consistency between recommendations of the comprehensive plan and the regulations of the zoning ordinance. The process of establishing consistency between the Comprehensive Plan and regulatory documents meant to implement the Plan, should be the focus of each community's planning process. Furthermore, every community should actively seek citizen participation when creating a comprehensive plan. Citizen participation is a vital and essential component in the development of a community’s comprehensive plan. Citizen participation helps communities create a comprehensive plan that is truly reflective of the needs and desires of citizens. |
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Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code Consistency |
Guides For Implementing This Tool
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No records available.Georgia Implementation Examples
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Georgia - Sec. 27-41. Relationship to comprehensive plan. The comprehensive plan is hereby established as the official policy of the county concerning designated land uses, under which the unincorporated areas of the county are divided into the following land use categories: (a) Low density residential. (b) Low-medium density residential. (c) Medium density residential. (d) Medium-high density residential. (e) High density residential. (f) Very high density residential. (g) Low intensity commercial. (h) High intensity commercial. (i) Office/professional. (j) Office/mixed-use. (k) Industrial. (l) Transportation/communications/utilities. (m) Institutional. (n) Public and private parks and open space. (o) Agriculture. (p) Vacant and undeveloped. (Ord. No. 99-11, Pt. 1, 4-13-99) Sec. 27-42. Comprehensive plan distinguished from zoning. The comprehensive plan does not alter or affect the existing zoning districts in the county, does not effectuate an amendment to the official zoning maps, and does not itself permit or prohibit any existing land uses. (Ord. No. 99-11, Pt. 1, 4-13-99)
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