Deck 8: Local Government Powers

Question 1

Sustainable development is development that is best defined as:

A) meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
B) meeting the needs of the present by providing aid and comfort to the community as soon as disasters strike
C) meeting the needs of the future by providing financial and sound structural support to citizens through government programs
D) all of the above

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Regulatory powers granted by the State to local governments used to control growth and development include:

A) Zoning ordinances, national defense, police services, and flood damage prevention ordinances
B) Subdivision regulation, zoning ordinances, public nuisance ordinances, and religious freedom
C) Subdivision regulation, national parks designation, building codes, and flood damage prevention ordinances
D) Zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, building codes, and flood damage prevention ordinances

Answer 2

D

Question 3

For hazard mitigation purposes, local zoning maps may be accompanied by regulations that restrict inappropriate uses in:

A) designated retail areas
B) designated hazard areas
C) designated public school areas
D) designated places of worship

Answer 3

B

Question 4

A significant problem in many communities involves _____________ that do not reflect actual flood risks in the jurisdiction, often because new development has changed stormwater flows, which can increase flood levels dramatically.

A) politicians
B) developers
C) inaccurate flood maps
D) all of the above

Question 5

_________________ programs treat development as a commodity separate from the land itself.

A) Joint Development Rights
B) Retail Developments Rights
C) Tax Increment Financing
D) Transfer of Development Rights

Question 6

Differential Assessment is a technique for reducing the _______________ on land facing development pressure by recognizing that undeveloped properties require fewer public services.

A) tax burden
B) development restrictions
C) coastal erosion
D) over development

Question 7

There are several different methods that local communities can use to promote community awareness, including:

A) real estate disclosure
B) community awareness campaigns
C) hazard maps and disaster warnings
D) all of the above

Question 8

Under the ___________________ local and state governments are required to prepare hazard mitigation plans in order to receive federal mitigation funds in the future.

A) Federal Emergency Management Code
B) Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000
C) Congressional Emergency Response Act of 2001
D) All of the above

Question 9

The number of Americans at risk from earthquakes, landslides, and inland flooding has increased dramatically but the trend for future risks have leveled off considerably.

Question 10

Regulatory powers granted by the State to local governments are the most basic way that a local government can control growth and development within its jurisdiction.

Question 11

Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) as a strategy to mitigate hazards is best used by promoting high-rise development along ocean beaches because of the increased value for tourism.

Question 12

Amortization is the process that requires nonconforming structures to come into compliance with local zoning regulations or be removed from the property within a certain time period.

Question 13

Councils of Government (COGs) are legally mandated organizations of county and municipal governments that provide services that are handled on a regional basis rather than by individual local governments.

Question 14

Typical services provided by Councils of Government COGs include programs for senior citizens, land use planning, economic development, environmental protection, and other types of collaborative efforts.

Question 15

Legislation in some states allows municipalities and counties to enter into inter-local agreements known as Mutual Aid Agreements to cooperatively perform any function that can be carried out as an individual local government.

Question 16

When discussing land use management tools, _____________ is referred to as the intensity of development in terms of distance between structures, lot size, building height and number of people and structures per acre.

Question 17

__________ regulates how property within the jurisdiction may be used by dividing the community into different districts or zones and specifying the use, density, bulk, or other factors associated with future development.

Question 18

_____________ taxes have traditionally been the largest single source of revenue for most local governments, sometimes providing more than half of all receipts.

Question 19

______________ are typically one-time, up-front charges (although some jurisdictions allow payments over time) against new development to pay for off-site improvements, including schools, sewer and water treatment plants, fire stations, community centers and other local facilities.

Question 20

________________________ is used to keep inappropriate development out of hazard-prone areas, and can be accomplished by increasing minimum lot size or reducing the number of dwelling units permitted per acre.

Question 21

Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) is a complex system, which often makes it difficult for local governments to implement and for landowners to understand and accept. Describe failures that occurred in Collier, Florida in the early 80's, and what actions would have made the TDR successful.

Question 22

Among the powers held by local governments is the authority, and even the duty, to educate the community. Discuss the importance of using the power of education to mitigate the impacts of hazards and include several different methods that local communities can use to promote community awareness.