American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

What significant court case allowed the use of performance criteria to slow community growth?

1. Smith v. City of New York

2. Golden v. Planning Board of Ramapo

3. Penn Central Transportation Co. v. City of New York

4. Mt. Laurel v. State of New Jersey

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

The case that allowed the use of performance criteria to manage community growth is Golden v. Planning Board of Ramapo. This landmark decision established a framework where municipalities could implement zoning ordinances that included specific performance criteria, such as infrastructure capacity and service availability, as conditions for approving new developments. In this case, the Planning Board of Ramapo sought to control the pace of housing development to match the capacity of local services and infrastructure. The court affirmed that it was within the rights of the municipality to require developers to demonstrate that their projects would not overburden the existing infrastructure. This ruling was significant because it provided a legal foundation for municipalities to implement growth control strategies based on tangible performance metrics, promoting sustainable growth patterns. This contrasts with other cases that focused on different aspects of planning and zoning law. For instance, Smith v. City of New York primarily dealt with issues related to free speech and the use of public space. Penn Central Transportation Co. v. City of New York revolved around historic preservation and the issue of takings under the Fifth Amendment. Mt. Laurel v. State of New Jersey tackled the responsibilities of municipalities regarding affordable housing but did not specifically address the use of performance criteria for controlling growth. Thus, Golden v. Planning Board of