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3 <br />Introduction <br />This material has been assembled as a “primer” on planning and zoning for Planning <br />Commission members and City Council members, as well as interested City staff and <br />members of the public. Our intent is to provide a usable background for typical planning and <br />zoning issues faced by the City’s Planning Commission. <br />Public Health, Safety , and Welfare . Planning and zoning activities are conducted as a part <br />of the “police powers” – protection of public health, safety, and general welfare. Because the <br />way land is used by private property owners can affect other property owners and the public, <br />courts have interpreted the “police power” to include the regulation of land use. <br />The City’s authority to regulate land use is a power granted by the State government. The <br />Legislature determines what powers the City has, and does not have. All of this power exists <br />within the context of the U.S. Constitution which defines and restricts governmental authority. <br />Some of the most evident ways that land uses affect the public is through the need for clean <br />water supply, sanitary waste systems, stormwater drainage, and the need for public street <br />systems. In addition, private land use creates the need for fire protection and law <br />enforcement. In short, private land development creates a significant demand on the public <br />for services. As a result, the public has a significant interest in ensuring that land is used in a <br />responsible and efficient manner. <br />Land use regulation is part planning theory and part property rights law. To help both public <br />officials and citizens in understanding the complexities of land use regulation, we have <br />compiled this material covering some of the most common planning issues that are faced by <br />growing communities. This material does not cover everything, nor does it cover all aspects <br />of each issue. Moreover, each community has its own set of specific regulations and <br />requirements. Nonetheless, we hope that it provides a solid underpinning so City officials will <br />feel comfortable addressing the situations faced on a monthly basis.