Drafting Interim Development Ordinances: Creating Time to Plan

Abstract

Planning problems occur in all communities, large and small. Some problems lend themselves to a quick fix such as an ordinance prepared for adoption at the next meeting of the local governing body. Some problems are not so tidy, such as an outdated master plan that does not require adequate public facilities concurrent with development in a community growing too fast to pay for or construct facilities within a reasonable time frame; a new comprehensive plan that does not address hillside protection sufficiently to form a basis for revised zoning regulations; or a community without a plan that finds itself in need of one yesterday. Planning professionals and elected officials have one overriding need in these situations-time to plan and solve these problems.