EnvironmentalAssessmentFactorsGuidance-HUD.PDFVIP

Environmental Factors The following are questions to take into consideration when evaluating whether the following environmental assessment factors have an environmental impact under NEPA. Do not limit the review to only the questions provided, and address each question as applicable. Please provide details and documentation where necessary. Land Development: Conformance with Plans / Compatible Land Use and Zoning / Scale Urban Design Conformance with Plans Overview It is important that a proposed project be consistent with a communitys long-range goals and policies as articulated in its comprehensive plans. Most cities and communities, and even some neighborhoods, have medium (5-year) to long-range (25-year) plans that express the community’s vision for development. Comprehensive or land use plans are intended to encompass plans and goals relating to a wide variety of areas including, but not limited to, transportation, housing improvement, recreation, adequate capacity in schools, sufficient emergency service levels, coastal zone restrictions, health, economic development, and utilities; and serve as a basis for rezoning or special use requests. These plans are prepared by a variety of agencies and boards, including municipal and county government, special districts, area-wide planning agencies and state agencies. These and potentially other municipal interests may have overlapping land use requirements; meaning, the need to comply with all appropriate land use reviews may entail approvals from more than just a single unit of government. An assessment of the degree of conflict or consistency with local and regional plans must take into account the decentralized preparation and implementation of plans, both on a geographic and an administrative or governmental basis.