The traditional (existing) zoning map for Fletcher's Folly. Click on the image to enlarge.

An alternate zone map for Fletcher's Folly. Click on the image to enlarge.

In this zoning scenario the Regional Planning Partnership (RPP) has created an alternative zoning file that highlights a goal-oriented approach to zoning (GOZ). In goal-oriented zoning, one has an idea of what you want your community to look like in the future and to use zoning as one of several tools to make this vision a reality. This goal is constrained by what you town determines are the most important characteristics of your community that need to be maintained and conserved for the future. In this situation, zoning becomes one of many tools to alter the way that your community is changing.

Right away, one can see how under a GOZ zoning map, the area of developable land has decreased and has become more centered. More...

How might Fletcher's Folly develop in the future under the two very different zoning scenarios? Let's use GIS to take a look.