Session 1 – The History of Planning Flinn Fagg, AICP, Director

1. Session 1 – The History of Planning • Flinn Fagg, AICP, Director

2. Summary • Organization of City of Las Vegas and Department of Planning • Origins of Land Use Controls • Land Use Controls in Nevada and Las Vegas • Basics of Land Use • Basics of Development Standards • Zoning Entitlements • Division of Property

3. Organization of the City of Las Vegas and the Department of Planning

4. Organization of the City of Las Vegas and Department of Planning

5. Organization of the Department of Planning • The Department consists of six sections: • Administration • Case Planning • Public Planning • Long Range Planning • Business Licensing • Business License Compliance

6. The Administrative Section Consists of the director, senior management analyst, a planner and support staff

7. The Administrative Section • Handles several portions of the Department of Planning: • Direct to City Council items • Department budget • Department Policies and Procedures • Community involvement and outreach

8. The Case and Public Planning Sections Consists of a manager, supervisors, GIS analyst, multiple planners, and support staff.

9. The Case Planning Section • Handles all Planning Commission related activities: • Prepares staff reports and provides recommendations to the Planning Commission • Leads and facilitates pre-application conferences with applicants • Conducts site inspections

10. The Public Planning Section • Handles all front counter activities such as taking phone calls, email requests, and walk in customers • Conducts over the counter plan reviews of various permits • Reviews business licenses for compliance with zoning codes • Accepts submittals of all applications for Planning items

11. The Long Range Planning Section Consists of a supervisor, urban design coordinator, statistical analyst, multiple planners, and support staff

12. The Long Range Planning Section • Responsible for maintaining and implementing the Master Plan and other Special Area Plans • Regional coordination activities with other entities such as RTC, SNRPC, Clark County and other jurisdictions • Staffs the Historic Preservation Commission and Downtown Design Review Commission

13. The Business Licensing Division

14. The Business Licensing Division • Responsible for issuing business licenses for businesses within the city • Provides business license compliance • Performs inspections

15. Origins of Land Use Controls

16. Origins of Land Use Controls Comprehensive zoning preceded by laws for individual uses or characteristics: tenements, manufacturing, building height

17. Origins of Land Use Controls • 1916 NYC Zoning Act • First comprehensive zoning regulations • Adoption in response to the Equitable Building

18. Origins of Land Use Controls 1916 act established land use districts, building height limits, setback requirements

19. Origins of Land Use Controls • Standard State Zoning Enabling Act (SSZEA) 1922-26 • Model zoning regulations developed by U.S. Dept. of Commerce for use as template

20. Origins of Land Use Controls • Village of Euclid vs. Ambler Realty Company (1926) • Supreme Court: zoning is an exercise of police power

21. Origins of Land Use Controls Euclidean Zoning: system of zoning whereby a community is divided into areas in which specific uses of land are permitted

22. Land Use Control in Nevada and Las Vegas • NRS 278: Planning & Zoning • Las Vegas City Charter

23. Land Use Controls in Nevada and Las Vegas • NRS 278 grants authority to local governments for planning activities • Master plan required • Creation of Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Adjustment • Establishment of zoning districts • Special exceptions (variances, special uses, conditional uses) • Division of land

24. Land Use Controls in Nevada and Las Vegas • NRS 278 also addresses: • Regional planning policy • Treatment of certain uses • (billboards, group homes, SOBs, mobile home parks, etc.) • Development agreements • Public notice requirements • Appeals

25. Basics of Land Use • Master Plan • A land use document that provides the framework and policy direction for land use decisions (also known as a comprehensive plan or general plan)

26. Basics of Land Use • Unified Development Code (UDC) • UDC implements zoning requirements of the Master Plan through specific regulations

27. Basics of Land Use • Special Area Plans • Address unique characteristics of an area or district

28. Basics of Development Standards • Euclidean zoning establishes development standards based on districts: • Permitted uses • Density/intensity limits • Setbacks/buffers • Height limits • Lot coverage • Parking requirements • Aesthetic requirements

29. Basics of Development Standards • Permitted uses based on zoning district • (Title 19.12) • Permitted use • Conditional use • Accessory use • Special use permit

30. Basics of Development Standards • Density/intensity (Land Use Element, Title 19.06 and Title 19.08 • Residential density = allowable # of units per acre • Commercial intensity = maximum allowable development based on lot coverage, height, setbacks, parking

31. Basics of Development Standards • Setbacks/buffers (Title 19.06, 19.08) • Determined from property lines (not from street/sidewalk/curb) • Based on yard designation (front, side, corner side, rear) • Definitions of yards listed • in Title 19.18 • Buffers: separation • requirements, screening • requirements

32. Basics of Development Standards • Height (Title 19.06, 19.08) • Lesser of vertical measurement or number of floors • Title 19.18 stipulates how height is measured

33. Basics of Development Standards • Lot Coverage (Title 19.06, 19.08) • Footprint of all structures (% of lot area) • Title 19.18 stipulates how lot coverage is calculated

34. Basics of Development Standards • Parking (Title 19.08, 19.12) • Based on use • Calculated per gross square footage • Handicap spaces included • Loading spaces are additional

35. Basics of Development Standards • Aesthetic regulations (Title 19.08) • Design elements and features • Permitted materials and colors

36. Zoning Entitlements Definition: The right to develop land with government approvals

37. Zoning Entitlements Scope: covers the spectrum from approval of building permits to zoning applications

38. Zoning Entitlements: Findings • Subject to criteria: Staff or elected/appointed officials must make a finding relative to Zoning Code requirements • Zoning analysis (Title 19.04-19.14, special area plans) • Criteria for approval (Title 19.16)

39. Division of Property • Subdivision Regulations • NRS grants authority to local governments for the division of land • Located in Title 19.02

40. Division of Property • Subdivision Regulations • Purpose: verify zoning conformance, adequacy of infrastructure • Standards: Title 18 establishes subdivision regulations and construction standards • Process: Tentative Map (TMP) and Final Plat Map (FMP) for recordation

41. Origins of Land Use Controls • Maps Available Online – • www. lasvegasnevada.gov/publications/maps.htm • Interactive Mapping • Business Development Maps • City Council Ward Maps • Election Maps • General Plan Maps • Historic Locations • Las Vegas Valley Maps • Miscellaneous Maps • Planning Areas and Other Boundaries

42. Conclusion • Questions? • Next class: City of Las Vegas Master Plan • February 5, 2014 at 6:00 PM • Development Services Center • 333 North Rancho Drive, Second Floor • Express Conference Room