American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

An effective regulatory technique for protecting a town's groundwater supply is?

1. Downsize all residential districts in the town from 1/2 acre minimum lot size to 2 acres per dwelling.

2. Revise the subdivision regulations to limit dead-end roads to 600 feet.

3. Adopt an overlay-zoning ordinance prohibiting non-residential uses within aquifer recharge areas.

4. Adopt an impact fee ordinance to collect funds from developers.

The correct answer is: Adopt an overlay-zoning ordinance prohibiting non-residential uses within aquifer recharge areas.

Adopting an overlay-zoning ordinance that prohibits non-residential uses within aquifer recharge areas is an effective regulatory technique for protecting a town's groundwater supply. This approach specifically targets areas critical to the replenishment of aquifers, recognizing the importance of these zones in maintaining water quality and quantity. By limiting non-residential development, which may include activities that could pollute or deplete the groundwater, the ordinance helps ensure that the natural filtration and replenishment processes of these aquifer recharge areas remain undisturbed. This strategy is particularly valuable because it proactively restricts land uses that are more likely to introduce contaminants into the groundwater system. Non-residential uses can often involve activities such as industrial operations, commercial activities, or even intensive agricultural practices, all of which could potentially threaten groundwater quality if not properly managed. Furthermore, overlay zoning is a flexible tool that complements existing zoning regulations and can easily be integrated into a community's planning framework. It allows municipalities to tailor restrictions based on specific environmental needs without overhauling the entire zoning code. The other options, while they may have positive implications for land use and infrastructure, do not directly address the imperative need to protect aquifer recharge areas in the same focused and effective manner.