The Commissioner — Summer 2004

Resource Finder

Site Plan Review

The ability to analyze a site plan in a thorough manner is a skill that all commissioners should master. These resources can help you grasp the concepts involved and help you create a step-by-step process to ensure that you examine all the relevant factors.

Publications available from APA's Planners Book Service

Planning Made Easy (1994)
By Efraim Gil, Enid Lucchesi, William Toner with Carol Barrett, FAICP, and Robert Joice, AICP
Developing a program to train planning commissioners and zoning board members takes a lot of time and effort. This manual makes the process easier. It covers the basics of community planning, zoning, subdivision regulation, and ethics. With chapters organized in discrete modules, it's ideal for both self-study and classroom use. Exercises encourage users to think about the planning issues.

Site Analysis (2001)
By James A. LaGro
The complete analysis of a site and its surrounding context can lead to better development proposals, smoother design implementation, and, ultimately, better built environments. This book details each crucial step in the site analysis and planning process, from site selection through design development. It shows how these activities are integrated to arrive at a site plan that successfully balances needs.

Site Design and Management Process (2000)
By George E. Fogg
This "how-to" book covers all aspects of good site design, including preparing master plans and writing ongoing site management plans. Its 11 chapters trace the complete site-design process, from obtaining construction documents and navigating the bidding process to conducting site analysis, planning land use, and proceeding with construction. The book also examines social trends that impact the site-design process. A helpful reference for all beginning planners, landscape architects, and site managers.

Site Planning and Design Handbook (2002)
By Thomas H. Russ
This skillful blending of the technical and artistic aspects of site design was written to spark creativity and improve efficiency in both realms. The author provides standards and guidelines to support design choices and outlines a framework for educating clients and the public. Russ bridges the gap between traditional methods of site planning and design and the growing importance of sustainability.

References from Legal Issues with Site Plan Review

Growing Smart Legislative Guidebook: Model Statues for Planning and Management of Change. American Planning Association, 2002.

Netter, Edith M. "Site Plan Review and Approval Processes" in Zoning and Planning Law Report, vol. 15, Nos. 10 & 11. November-December, 1992.

Ziegler Jr., Edward H., Rathkopf's The Law of Zoning and Planning. West. 2003. Ch. 87.

References from Site Plan Review: A Primer for Planning Commissioners

Jarvis, Frederick D. Site Planning and Design for Great Neighborhoods. Washington, D.C.: Home Builder Press, National Association of Home Builders, 1993.

Lynch, Kevin, and Gary Hack. Site Planning, Third Edition. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press, 1984.

Reed, Charles. "How to Red-Pencil Site Plans." In Albert Solnit, et al., The Job of the Practicing Planner. Chicago: Planners Press, 1988, Ch. 6.

Rubenstein, Harvey M. A Guide to Site Planning and Landscape Construction, 4th Edition. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.