Neighborhood Plan

A neighborhood plan is a document that studies the issues of a specific, established neighborhood association. A neighborhood plan boundaries are determined by the neighborhood association which usually are natural features and/ or streets. Neighborhood plans use geographic and demographic information to develop a detailed land use vision for the future development or redevelopment of the neighborhood.

A neighborhood plan is the fourth tier in the hierarchy of plans. Depending on the amount of current development, a neighborhood plan could take from 9 to 12 months.

When is a neighborhood plan appropriate?

A neighborhood plan is appropriate when there are traffic issues or significant development, redevelopment, or infill development in a neighborhood.

Purpose or reasons to use a neighborhood plan are to:

1. Provide guidance on matters of land use, development and site layout to possible area residents or investors.
2. Provide implementation recommendations for coordination of development with adequate public facility’s goals.
3. Provide information regarding the area’s needs, priorities, and proposed projects.
4. Determine if development proposals and land use changes are in accordance with the community’s long term vision.
5. Provide a shared vision for area’s residents/owners and local government entities.
6. Provide a framework to guide an area’s development efforts and track development trends and progress.

Typical Process

The typical process of a neighborhood plan and the plan its self could include any of the following:

• Identify the study area boundary
• Identify key stakeholders
• Public meetings
• Inventory survey and data analysis
• Goals, visions, policies, and objectives
• Plan drafts
• Adoption process
• Maps of existing and proposed items