According to the Planning Commissioner's Handbook, the comprehensive plan is a blueprint for guiding development in a community and includes information on the many facets of a community such as population/ demographics, physical conditions, land use, the environment, transportation, and legal and fiscal aspects. The plan reflects the vision and direction of residents. Through the comprehensive plan’s vision, goals, objectives, policies and implementation strategies, it provides a framework for decision-making regarding land use, transportation, housing, public facilities, and economic development. While the comprehensive plan deals with growth and development in general, it must not be vague or difficult to interpret. The success of the comprehensive plan depends on the community's commitment to planning and its acceptance of the plan as a valid expression of community attitudes, values, and agreed-upon direction. It helps ensure predictability in the future by guiding decisions and courses of action that are taken today.
The comprehensive plan can be referred to as the general plan, master plan, or even the land use plan, and is meant to serve several purposes.
Fulfills Legal Obligations
Alaskan communities must have an adopted comprehensive plan before they may adopt land use regulations such as a zoning ordinance. Increasingly, state and federal agencies require a plan as a condition of receiving grants.
Provides Vision of the Future
The plan contains long-range goals, objectives and policies that describe how, where, and in what manner physical development of the community will occur. The plan contains a map depicting intended land use by both type and location. The plan also links together physical development with considerations about social needs and economic development.
Serves as a Decision-Making Tool
The plan is a guide for decision-making and a blueprint for growth. Elected officials and planning commissioners will rely on and use a thoughtfully prepared plan when they make decisions that affect and shape the community’s future.
Serves a Coordinating Function
The plan provides an opportunity to place under a single cover, policies for a wide range of municipal activities such as land use, utilities, recreation, and transportation This coordinating function of the plan can reduce the opportunity for contradictory policies from different municipal departments.
