American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

Why might a jurisdiction adopt specific development standards for multiple family projects?

1. To increase housing availability

2. To make them legally binding

3. Because these projects typically face less opposition

4. None of the above

The correct answer is: To make them legally binding

The choice that best captures why a jurisdiction might adopt specific development standards for multi-family projects is centered around the idea of making those standards legally binding. By establishing clear, specific standards, a jurisdiction ensures that developers and builders adhere to certain guidelines that align with community values, zoning laws, and land use policies. This legal definition helps mitigate ambiguity and ensures compliance, which can lead to predictable outcomes in terms of design, density, and community impact. In urban planning, legally binding standards are important for maintaining the character of neighborhoods, managing growth, and addressing residents' concerns. These standards can also help streamline the approval process by providing a framework within which developers must operate, ultimately influencing the success and acceptance of multi-family housing initiatives. While increasing housing availability is a goal that jurisdictions often strive for, simply adopting standards does not guarantee this outcome unless those standards effectively encourage development. Therefore, this option can't be the sole reason for the adoption of standards. Additionally, the assumption that multi-family projects typically face less opposition might not hold true in all cases, as these developments can sometimes meet significant resistance from existing residents concerned about changes to their neighborhoods. Overall, the creation of legally binding development standards is a critical tool for jurisdictions looking to effectively manage multi-family housing projects within their