American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

What does an "Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance" synchronize?

1. Development with the availability of public amenities

2. Public funding with private development

3. Housing density with environmental protection

4. Local businesses with state regulations

The correct answer is: Development with the availability of public amenities

An "Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance" (APFO) is designed to ensure that public infrastructure and facilities are sufficient to accommodate new development. The correct choice emphasizes the synchronization between development and the availability of public amenities, such as roads, schools, parks, and water supply systems. The purpose of an APFO is to prevent overloading public services and ensure that they can adequately support the population generated by new developments. By requiring that certain public facilities meet established standards before new projects can proceed, the ordinance helps maintain a balance between growth and the quality of life for existing residents. This planning tool ensures that developers contribute to the public infrastructure necessary to support their projects, thereby promoting orderly growth and avoiding situations where insufficient facilities create problems for the community. The other options pertain to different elements of planning and development. Public funding with private development focuses on fiscal relationships rather than infrastructure adequacy. Housing density with environmental protection addresses land use issues but does not necessarily involve synchronizing development with existing public facilities. Connecting local businesses with state regulations concerns economic development and regulatory compliance but is not directly related to public facility capacity.