ABSTRACT
A criticism can be leveled at a number of general plans that have been produced recently: they appear to be excessively long and excessively expensive to prepare. Some lengthy plans are incomprehensible when considered as an entity, although each separate “element” in them may be understandable. Some plans are very expensive to print and distribute. This means that these plans are not readily accessible to the general public. When plans are expensive to prepare, small jurisdictions cannot afford them, and large jurisdictions are reluctant to revise them, except when fearful of legal action. Many states have enacted laws requiring cities and counties to prepare general plans, and have mandated what “elements” must be included in these plans. Some of these mandated elements add substantially to the cost of plan preparation. Capital improvement programs, zoning ordinances, and housing programs are examples of this practice.
