American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

The New York Court of Appeals held that a restriction of the rate of growth of a municipality through establishment of rigid performance standards was constitutional in which case?

1. Berman v. Parker

2. Golden v. Planning Board of the Town of Ramapo

3. Windsor v. Whitney

4. Eubank v. Richmond

The correct answer is: Golden v. Planning Board of the Town of Ramapo

The correct choice is significant because the New York Court of Appeals in Golden v. Planning Board of the Town of Ramapo ruled that municipalities have the authority to impose performance standards that limit growth in order to manage development and ensure sustainability. This case is a landmark decision that underscored the courts’ recognition of local government powers to control land use through zoning and planning processes. In this specific case, the court affirmed that it is constitutional for a town to establish growth controls that are aimed at preserving the quality of life and environmental integrity within its jurisdiction. The ruling emphasized that local government planning boards have a legitimate interest in implementing such restrictions to balance development with the provision of necessary infrastructure, thereby allowing for more orderly growth. Thus, the case established a precedent that local governments can use performance standards to effectuate growth management, which can be critical for urban planning strategies aimed at maintaining community character and public services effectively in accordance with projected population and development patterns.