AICP MCQ 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The Euclidean zoning model takes its name from:
- The Greek mathematician Euclid
- Euclid v. Ambler Realty Co. (1926) (Correct answer)
- A planning theorist named Euclid Baker
- The Euclidean geometry used to draw zoning maps
Correct answer: Euclid v. Ambler Realty Co. (1926)
Euclidean zoning is named after the Supreme Court case Village of Euclid v. Ambler Realty Co. (1926), which upheld the constitutionality of comprehensive use separation zoning.
Question 2: Which analytical tool do planners most commonly use to evaluate the economic viability of proposed public projects by comparing projected benefits to costs over time?
- Fiscal impact analysis
- Cost-benefit analysis (Correct answer)
- Market absorption study
- Input-output analysis
Correct answer: Cost-benefit analysis
Cost-benefit analysis (CBA) compares the present value of all anticipated benefits against all anticipated costs to determine whether a public investment is economically justified.
Question 3: A 'transfer of development rights' (TDR) program allows property owners in a sending zone to:
- Develop land at a higher density than normally permitted
- Sell unused development potential to owners in a receiving zone (Correct answer)
- Transfer ownership of land to a public agency
- Move their business to a different location tax-free
Correct answer: Sell unused development potential to owners in a receiving zone
TDR programs let owners of land designated for preservation sell their unused development rights to developers in targeted growth areas, compensating owners without public purchase.
Question 4: The 'jobs-housing balance' metric is primarily used to assess:
- Whether local tax revenue covers municipal service costs
- The relationship between employment locations and housing supply to reduce commuting (Correct answer)
- Equity in the distribution of affordable housing units
- The ratio of commercial to residential land area
Correct answer: The relationship between employment locations and housing supply to reduce commuting
Jobs-housing balance measures whether the number and types of jobs in an area are matched by an appropriate supply of housing, with imbalances leading to longer commutes and traffic congestion.
Question 5: Which planning document typically has the GREATEST legal force in guiding day-to-day development decisions?
- Comprehensive general plan
- Zoning ordinance (Correct answer)
- Strategic plan
- Capital improvement program
Correct answer: Zoning ordinance
The zoning ordinance, as a regulatory law, has direct legal authority over development decisions; the comprehensive plan provides policy guidance but is generally advisory unless state law mandates consistency.
Question 6: Planners evaluating a brownfield site for redevelopment must prioritize which of the following first?
- Market absorption capacity
- Environmental site assessment and remediation needs (Correct answer)
- Architectural design standards
- Community opposition levels
Correct answer: Environmental site assessment and remediation needs
A Phase I and potentially Phase II Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is the essential first step to identify contamination risks before any redevelopment planning proceeds.
Question 7: The 'carrying capacity' concept applied to land use planning refers to:
- The structural load a road can bear
- The maximum level of development or population an ecosystem or infrastructure system can sustain (Correct answer)
- The number of units a developer can afford to build
- The traffic volume a street can handle at peak hour
Correct answer: The maximum level of development or population an ecosystem or infrastructure system can sustain
Carrying capacity in planning describes the threshold beyond which natural systems, infrastructure, or community character would be significantly degraded by additional development.
AICP MCQ 3
The Euclidean zoning model takes its name from: