The Comprehensive Plan "represents a focusing of planning thought and effort -
an attempt to identify and analyze the complex forces, relationships, and
dynamics of growth in order that they can be shaped and directed in accordance
with recognized community goals and aspirations."
It is a realistic appraisal of what the community is now, a normative and
futuristic blueprint of what the community wants to be, and a specific set of
programs for achieving community desires. The plan is based on the foundation
that if a community knows where it wants to go, it possesses better prospects of
getting there. The plan attempts to recognize the relationships between diverse
development goals and objectives and establishes a meaningful basis for the
resolution of conflicts.
A comprehensive plan functions as a "master yardstick" for evaluating all
significant future development proposals. The plan is intended to provide the
essential background and perspective for decision-making in respect to zoning,
land subdivisions, public investments, and capital improvement programs. The
comprehensive plan also provides guidance to businessmen, investors and
developers regarding the development policies and the future direction and
intensity of growth.
For the community at large, the plan (if properly implemented) assures that land
use conflicts will be resolved if not avoided, that misuses of land will not
occur, that traffic congestion will be minimized or averted, that community
facilities will be located in areas where people can best use them, and that the
community's growth will take place in an orderly, rational manner.
Related Documents
- Chapter 1 Assessment
- Chapter 2 Participation
- Chapter 3 Population
- Chapter 4 Housing
- Chapter 5 Economic Development
- Chapter 6 Natural Resources
- Chapter 7 Historic Resources
- Chapter 8 Community Facilities and Services
- Chapter 9 Transportation Element
- Chapter 10 Intergovernmental Coordination
- Chapter 11 Community Agenda - Implementation