A Planning Commission is a group of citizens appointed by local government officials to conduct hearings and recommend amendments to zoning ordinances. Often collaborative with a professional planning department, the commission ensures the implementation of a comprehensive urban plan.
A Preliminary Plat is a detailed planning document used in real estate development to illustrate how a tract of land can potentially be subdivided into lots and outline infrastructural elements before final plat approval.
Zoning is a legal mechanism used by local governments to regulate the use of privately owned real property through specific applications of police power. It aims to prevent conflicting land uses and promote orderly development by designating zones that limit the type and intensity of development permitted within their jurisdiction.
