Land use planning implies an orderly process by which the use of land within a municipality, a county, or some other jurisdiction is regulated. To be effective, land use planning should be based upon a comprehensive plan, which we have defined as long-term studies of the jurisdiction, considering broad social, economic, environmental, and political issues. The land use controls (e.g., zoning, subdivision regulations, etc.) are the legal mechanisms by which the patterns of human growth and activities are directed.
Under enabling legislation local governments also have the authority to establish regulations to control the subdivision of a parcel of land into building lots for specific land uses. The subdivision process actually entails dividing a parcel of land into blocks, lots, streets, open space, and community use areas. The purpose is to protect public interest by maintaining a level of quality control, justified on the basis that the development will increase the cost of public services. To that end, the subdivision and land development regulations establish requirements or specifications for streets, sidewalks, utilities, driveway connections, etc. to ensure that all.......
