Section 3 - Urban Plans, Framework Plans, Strategic Implementation Plans, etc

[Katie Garfias]

Hi all,

Does anyone have a good guide or description on how the plans relate to each other? I find that all a bit confusing. (ex. an implementation plan is part of a comprehensive plan and many other types of plans...like Urban plans. A land use plan is an element of a comprehensive plan but not an urban plan?)

"Common urban design plans are neighborhood plans, downtown plans, mixed use development plans. "

Are the main plans Framework, Comprehensive and Urban plans and then there's sub-plans that are in each of those?

[Adrienne Newton]

I agree.  I'm having a hard time sorting this out, too.  Where is the source material for this that I can read about?  Anyone know?

[Adrienne Newton]

Thank you Larely!

[Katie Garfias]

Thank you, Larely! This is a huge help for Comprehensive Plans. Has anyone found anything that directly compares Comprehensive with Framework Plans? They both have so many elements, and I think that's the hardest thing for me to figure out what the differences are?

I have a study sheet that tells me a "Framework Plans may be referred to as Comprehensive Plans", but I don't think that's true? Is it an element of a Comprehensive plan?

This is what I've found:

Framework Plans:

- Set future vision for the area

- Guide sustainable future growth and development (over 30 years)

- ID steps to manage growth

- Define key projects and infrastructure to support growth

* A high-level planning tool to coordinate, guide and inform future, detailed local plans and permit applications. 

Key goal: to create diverse, compact and connected communities that are affordable, rich in local jobs, transport access, services and culture 

Comprehensive Plans:

- Sets goals (20+ years)

- Analyzes conditions and trends

- Describes a vision for the physical, social and economic characteristics of the community for future

- ID's relationships among the economy, transportation, community facilities, housing, the environment, land use, human services, etc.  

* The adopted official statement of a local governments legislative body for future development and conservation.

Key goal: to provide valuable guidance to those in the public and private sector as decisions are made affecting the future quality of like of existing and future residents and the natural and build environments. 

So...is a framework plan just a more general plan than a comprehensive plan? Am I way overthinking this?

[Kexin Z]

I had the same question and googled somewhere. And from the note I took: framework plan called a strategic plan or a vision plan. It has a long term. This type of plan is to be differentiated from a traditional “ comprehensive plan” that attempts to address in depth and in detail all of the elements required to govern the long-range growth of the city. While providing a powerful long-term vision. The data included in framework plans are usually only of sufficient detail to support the vision, promote consensus, and motivate action.
To me, the framework plan focuses on long-term future plan and is more flexible on specific problems and provides the “framework”. The comprehensive plan has more details for more recent future and provides “guideline”.

[Katie G.]

Thank you! Really appreciate it. 

[KayJay]

I'm seeing Comprehensive Plans being interchanged with Master Plans all over the place. So, MP's will inform policies, etc., and are often the guiding documents for more focused plans such as Transportation Plans, Parks & Open Space Plans, etc. 

I'm honestly not sure how a Framework Plan really differentiates from a Comprehensive Plan or an MP whatsoever, unless (as described below), FP's are more general and broad in nature? I don't really know how FP's and CP's may work together or complement each other...?

[Benjamin Haim]

Is a comprehensive plan an interchangeable term with the city's general plan?