Simple English definitions for legal terms
Read a random definition: miscarriage (of justice)
A general plan is a big plan made by cities and governments to help them organize how they want their city to grow and change over a long time. It covers lots of different things like how the city should look, how many people should live there, and how to make sure the city is healthy and safe. Some cities use the plan as a guide to help them make decisions, while others have to follow it exactly. It's like a big map that helps everyone work together to make the city a better place.
A general plan is a long-term plan made by cities and governments to organize development and community initiatives. It is also known as a comprehensive or master plan. General plans have been used by cities in the United States for most of the twentieth century. Some states even require cities to have a general plan.
General plans can cover a wide range of issues such as:
The nature of a general plan depends on the particular city. Some cities create general plans as a set of guidelines and goals that city planners should strive to achieve through zoning laws, investment, and other tools. Other cities must follow the general plan and update it as situations change. In these cities, the general plan serves as a required set of plans that ensures different areas of strategy and development can be balanced with one another.
For example, the city of Los Angeles has a general plan that outlines goals for transportation, housing, and land use. The plan includes strategies to reduce traffic congestion, increase affordable housing, and promote sustainable development.