American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

Which outcome is NOT typically associated with a comprehensive plan?

1. Guiding land use decisions

2. Ensuring environmental sustainability

3. Direct control of individual businesses

4. Enhancing community development

The correct answer is: Direct control of individual businesses

The outcome that is not typically associated with a comprehensive plan is direct control of individual businesses. Comprehensive plans serve as important frameworks for guiding the overall development and growth of a community, outlining long-term goals and policies that address various aspects such as land use, transportation, housing, and economic development. However, these plans do not usually involve exerting direct control over specific businesses. Instead, comprehensive plans aim to create a vision that helps shape the zoning regulations and policies that guide how land can be used and developed. They focus on broader objectives, such as enhancing community development, ensuring environmental sustainability, and providing a framework for land use decisions. Rather than intervening in individual business operations, comprehensive plans work on the macro level, influencing factors such as location, types of permitted activities, and overall community character, allowing businesses to operate within a defined regulatory environment. By not addressing the direct control of individual businesses, comprehensive plans respect the autonomy of businesses while still striving to achieve the goals of the community as a whole.