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Popular Tools, Regulations, and Statutes

Want to know which tools are getting the most interest? The Planners Toolkit keeps track of how often each tool is viewed. You can find out what topics and tools are in high demand by checking out the most popular tools here.
  • GIS Mapping/Modeling Techniques
    Dec 30, 2010
    Tool
    Viewed 26,572 times.
    Geographic Information Systems (GIS) has revolutionized the world of mapping. GIS allows us to link endless amounts of information to a specific geographic location and helps us answer questions and solve problems by looking at data in a way that is quickly understood and easily shared.  GIS...
  • Mixed-use Development Standards
    Dec 28, 2010
    Tool
    Viewed 16,287 times.
    Mixed-use development combines two or more types of land use into a building or set of buildings that are physically and functionally integrated and mutually supporting. This can be some combination of residential, commercial, industrial, office, institutional, or other land uses.
  • Air Quality Elements
    Jul 10, 2012
    Tool
    Viewed 14,647 times.
    California’s air quality has continuously increased since the California Air Pollution Control Act was passed in 1947.  The state has been consistently ahead of the federal government, other states, and the rest of the world in monitoring and reducing air pollution. Yet, California’s...
  • Market Feasibility Analysis
    Dec 30, 2010
    Tool
    Viewed 13,292 times.
    A Market Feasibility Analysis determines the likelihood that a proposed land use or development will fulfill the objectives of a particular investor or community. For example, a feasibility study for a proposed housing subdivision should:
  • Inclusionary Housing
    Dec 28, 2010
    Tool
    Viewed 9,548 times.
    Inclusionary housing is a local policy requiring that market-rate residential developments include  a certain amount of affordable housing. While some inclusionary housing policies are mandatory and others voluntary, the goal of all inclusionary housing programs is to establish a relatively...
  • GIS Mapping Data Sources
    Apr 16, 2012
    Tool
    Viewed 9,491 times.
    GIS is a critical tool for planners; however, access to detailed, up-to-date data layers can be difficult to find.  GIS can be used to understand community landscapes in many different planning functions and in a variety of applications.  In order to create informative maps and conduct...
  • SB 244- Planning for Unincorporated Disadvantaged Communities
    Mar 2, 2012
    Statute/Regulation
    Viewed 8,489 times.
    SB 244 (Wolk, 2011) requires cities and counties to address the infrastructure needs of unincorporated disadvantaged communities in city and county general plans and LAFCo Municipal Service Reviews (MSRs) and annexation decisions.  SB 244 defines an unincorporated disadvantaged community as a...
  • SB 5- Flood Risks
    Jan 24, 2011
    Statute/Regulation
    Viewed 7,763 times.
    SB 5 (Machado, 2007) requires the Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the Central Valley Flood Protection Board (CVFPB) to prepare and adopt a Central Valley Flood Protection Plan (CVFPP) by 2012, and establishes flood protection requirements for certain local land use decisions consistent with...
  • Walkable Blocks
    Dec 30, 2010
    Tool
    Viewed 7,461 times.
    Walkable blocks is a street configuration that provides short high connectivity blocks to both increase pedestrian activity, reduce traffic speed through the neighborhood and reduce overall vehicle miles traveled.   Frequently, walkable blocks also have shallow building setbacks and...
  • SB 610/221- Water Supply
    Jan 24, 2011
    Statute/Regulation
    Viewed 7,407 times.
    SB 610 (Costa, 2001) requires additional information to be included as part of an urban water management plan if groundwater is identified as a source of water available to the supplier.  This law also requires an urban water supplier to include in the plan a description of all water supply...
  • AB 1358- Complete Streets Act of 2008
    Jan 24, 2011
    Statute/Regulation
    Viewed 7,373 times.
    AB 1358 (Leno, 2008) requires, beginning January 1, 2011, cities and counties, upon any substantive revision to their circulation elements, to plan for a balanced multi-modal transportation network that meets the needs of all users of streets, roads, and highways, including motorists, pedestrians,...
  • Design Guidelines and Pattern Books
    Jul 10, 2012
    Tool
    Viewed 7,050 times.
    More local governments are using design guidelines and pattern books as methods for creating, preserving, or reinforcing the distinctive architectural character of an area.  Design guidelines typically regulate building scale, façade, and landscaping to ensure new development fits in with the...
  • Infill Development and Sustainable Reuse
    Jul 10, 2012
    Tool
    Viewed 6,561 times.
    As local governments grapple with the issue and consequences of sprawl, infill development and sustainable reuse have arisen as a sustainable smart growth solution.  Infill development encompasses sustainable reuse that recycles existing land sources, minimizes impacts to habitat, reduces...
  • Form-Based Codes
    Dec 30, 2010
    Tool
    Viewed 6,474 times.
    “Form-based codes focus on the desired structure and appearance of the built environment, rather than on restricted uses (the focus for more conventional planning tools). Form-based codes typically address the exterior form, massing, and site design of buildings and their relationship to the site...
  • Agricultural Conservation Easements
    Dec 28, 2010
    Tool
    Viewed 6,189 times.
    An agricultural conservation easement is a voluntary, legally recorded deed restriction that is placed on a specific property used for agricultural production. The goal of an agricultural conservation easement is to maintain agricultural land in active production by removing the development...