Sector Plan

A sector plan covers one or more sections of land and uses geographic and demographic information to develop a detailed land use vision for future development or redevelopment of the study area. Boundaries are generally based on physical features such as arterial thoroughfares, rivers, or other natural geographic elements.

In the hierarchy of plans, a sector or area plan is the third tier. Based on the size of the area being studied, one or more sections of land, it could take between 18 and 24 months to develop.

When is a sector plan appropriate?

This type of plan is used to forecast development trends or future development patterns for building out or redeveloping an area. This planning tool is most useful when an area is largely undeveloped and/or on the edges of current development.

Purpose or reasons to use a sector 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 sector 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