90 Survey Questions For Your Comprehensive Plan

Seek out new information, clarify your understanding, and expand your knowledge. By asking questions, you can learn more about a particular topic or issue while gaining a deeper understanding of it. Asking questions will challenge your own assumptions and biases, encouraging you to consider different perspectives on a subject.

Asking questions is also a useful way for people to engage with others and build relationships. By asking questions, you show interest in others and their ideas, creating opportunities for dialogue and discussion. Asking questions can also help people build trust and collaboration because it demonstrates a willingness to listen and learn from others.

In short, asking questions is an important way for people to gain knowledge, understand complex issues, and engage with others. It’s an important skill that can benefit individuals and communities in many ways, so we’ve given you a list of 100 survey questions to ask when creating or updating your comprehensive plans.

• Land Use
• Transportation
• Economic Development
• Housing
• Natural and Cultural Resources
• Infrastructure
• Community facilities and services
• Intergovernmental collaboration
• Implementation

Land use survey questions for your comprehensive plan

This element of the plan outlines the types of development that are allowed in different parts of the community, such as residential, commercial, industrial, and recreational. It may also include information on the density and intensity of development, as well as the location of different types of land uses.

• What types of land uses do you think are most important for our community? (e.g. residential, commercial, industrial, recreational)
• How do you think the mix of land uses in our community should be balanced?
• Are there any specific areas of the community where you think certain types of land uses should be focused or restricted?
• What are your thoughts on the density and intensity of development in our community? Do you think we have enough, too much, or too little development?
• Are there any specific land use issues or challenges that you think the community should address?
• How do you think the community should balance the need for new development with the need to preserve open space and natural resources?
• Are there any specific land use policies or regulations that you think the community should consider adopting?
• How do you think the community should involve residents in the land use planning process?
• What do you think are the most important considerations when deciding where to locate different types of land uses in the community?
• Do you have any other comments or ideas related to the land use element of the comprehensive plan?

Transportation survey questions for your comprehensive plan

This element addresses the transportation needs of the community, including roads, public transit, pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, and other forms of transportation. It may include information on the location and design of transportation facilities, as well as strategies for improving mobility and connectivity.

• How do you typically get around our community? (e.g. walk, bike, drive, use public transit)
• Are there any transportation challenges or issues that you think the community should address?
• What are your thoughts on the current state of our road network? Is it sufficient, or are there areas that need improvement?
• What are your thoughts on the availability and quality of public transit in our community?
• Do you think our community has enough bike and pedestrian infrastructure? If not, what improvements would you like to see?
• How do you think the community should prioritize transportation projects and investments?
• Are there any specific transportation policies or initiatives that you think the community should consider adopting?
• How do you think the community should involve residents in the transportation planning process?
• What do you think are the most important considerations when planning for transportation in our community?
• Do you have any other comments or ideas related to the transportation element of the comprehensive plan?

Economic development survey questions for your comprehensive plan

This element of the plan focuses on strategies for promoting economic growth and stability in the community. It may include information on target industries, business development initiatives, and strategies for supporting local businesses.

• What are your thoughts on the current state of the economy in our community?
• What industries or businesses do you think our community should focus on attracting or retaining?
• Are there any specific economic development challenges or issues that you think the community should address?
• How do you think the community should support and promote local businesses?
• Are there any specific economic development policies or initiatives that you think the community should consider adopting?
• How do you think the community should involve residents in the economic development planning process?
• What do you think are the most important considerations when planning for economic development in our community?
• Do you have any other comments or ideas related to the economic development element of the comprehensive plan?
• Are there any specific types of businesses or industries that you think the community should avoid or discourage?
• How do you think the community should balance the need for economic development with the need to protect the environment and preserve natural resources?

Housing survey questions for your comprehensive plan

This element addresses the housing needs of the community, including the availability and affordability of different types of housing. It may include information on housing policies, such as inclusionary zoning or density bonuses, as well as strategies for promoting the construction of new housing.

• What are your thoughts on the availability and affordability of housing in our community?
• What types of housing do you think our community should focus on providing? (e.g. single-family homes, apartments, condominiums, etc.)
• Are there any specific housing challenges or issues that you think the community should address?
• How do you think the community should involve residents in the housing planning process?
• What do you think are the most important considerations when planning for housing in our community?
• Are there any specific housing policies or initiatives that you think the community should consider adopting?
• How do you think the community should balance the need for new housing with the need to preserve existing neighborhoods and communities?
• Do you have any other comments or ideas related to the housing element of the comprehensive plan?
• How do you think the community should address the needs of vulnerable populations, such as low-income households, seniors, and people with disabilities?
• How do you think the community should balance the need for affordable housing with the need to protect the character and quality of neighborhoods?

Natural and cultural resources survey questions for your comprehensive plan

This element of the plan addresses the conservation and management of natural and cultural resources in the community, such as parks, open spaces, natural areas, and historic sites. It may include information on strategies for preserving and enhancing these resources, as well as policies for protecting them from development.

• What are your thoughts on the conservation and management of natural and cultural resources in our community?
• What types of natural and cultural resources do you think our community should prioritize protecting or enhancing? (e.g. parks, open space, natural areas, historic sites)
• Are there any specific natural or cultural resources that you think the community should focus on preserving or restoring?
• How do you think the community should involve residents in the planning and management of natural and cultural resources?
• What do you think are the most important considerations when planning for natural and cultural resources in our community?
• Are there any specific natural or cultural resource policies or initiatives that you think the community should consider adopting?
• How do you think the community should balance the need for development with the need to protect natural and cultural resources?
• Do you have any other comments or ideas related to the natural and cultural resources element of the comprehensive plan?
• How do you think the community should involve indigenous communities and organizations in the planning and management of natural and cultural resources?
• How do you think the community should balance the need to protect natural and cultural resources with the need to provide recreational opportunities for residents?

Infrastructure survey questions for your comprehensive plan

This element of the plan addresses the infrastructure needs of the community, including utilities, public facilities, and other types of infrastructure. It may include information on the location and design of these facilities, as well as strategies for financing and maintaining them.

• What are your thoughts on the current state of infrastructure in our community? (e.g. utilities, public facilities, etc.)
• Are there any specific infrastructure challenges or issues that you think the community should address?
• What types of infrastructure do you think our community should prioritize investing in?
• How do you think the community should finance infrastructure projects and investments?
• How do you think the community should involve residents in the planning and management of infrastructure?
• What do you think are the most important considerations when planning for infrastructure in our community?
• Are there any specific infrastructure policies or initiatives that you think the community should consider adopting?
• Do you have any other comments or ideas related to the infrastructure element of the comprehensive plan?
• How do you think the community should balance the need for new infrastructure with the need to maintain and upgrade existing infrastructure?
• How do you think the community should balance the need for infrastructure with the need to protect the environment and preserve natural resources?

Community facilities and services survey questions for your comprehensive plan

This element of the plan addresses the types of community facilities and services that are available in the community, such as schools, libraries, hospitals, and public safety facilities. It may include information on the location and design of these facilities, as well as strategies for financing and maintaining them.

• What are your thoughts on the availability and quality of community facilities and services in our community? (e.g. schools, libraries, hospitals, and public safety facilities)
• Are there any specific community facilities or services that you think the community should prioritize investing in or improving?
• How do you think the community should finance community facilities and services?
• How do you think the community should involve residents in the planning and management of community facilities and services?
• What do you think are the most important considerations when planning for community facilities and services in our community?
• Are there any specific community facilities or services policies or initiatives that you think the community should consider adopting?
• Do you have any other comments or ideas related to the community facilities and services element of the comprehensive plan?
• How do you think the community should balance the need for new community facilities and services with the need to maintain and upgrade existing ones?
• How do you think the community should balance the need for community facilities and services with the need to protect the environment and preserve natural resources?
• How do you think the community should address the needs of vulnerable populations, such as low-income households, seniors, and people with disabilities?

Intergovernmental collaboration survey questions for your comprehensive plan

This element of the plan addresses the relationships between the local government and other levels of government, such as the state or federal government. It may include information on intergovernmental agreements, shared services, and other forms of coordination.

• What are your thoughts on the relationship between our local government and other levels of government (e.g. state and federal)?
• Are there any specific intergovernmental challenges or issues that you think the community should address?
• How do you think the community should involve residents in the intergovernmental coordination process?
• What do you think are the most important considerations when planning for intergovernmental coordination in our community?
• Are there any specific intergovernmental policies or initiatives that you think the community should consider adopting?
• Do you have any other comments or ideas related to the intergovernmental coordination element of the comprehensive plan?
• How do you think the community should balance the need for intergovernmental coordination with the need to maintain local control and autonomy?
• How do you think the community should involve other levels of government in the planning and decision-making process?
• How do you think the community should balance the need for intergovernmental coordination with the need to protect the interests of our community?
• How do you think the community should address conflicts or disputes with other levels of government?

Implementation survey questions for your comprehensive plan

This element of the plan outlines the steps that will be taken to implement the vision and goals of the plan. It may include information on the roles and responsibilities of different agencies and stakeholders, as well as strategies for financing and monitoring progress.

• What are your thoughts on the process for implementing the comprehensive plan?
• Are there any specific implementation challenges or issues that you think the community should address?
• How do you think the community should involve residents in the implementation process?
• What do you think are the most important considerations when implementing the comprehensive plan?
• Are there any specific implementation policies or initiatives that you think the community should consider adopting?
• Do you have any other comments or ideas related to the implementation element of the comprehensive plan?
• How do you think the community should balance the need for timely implementation with the need to be flexible and responsive to changing circumstances?
• How do you think the community should involve different agencies and stakeholders in the implementation process?
• How do you think the community should monitor and track progress on the implementation of the comprehensive plan?
• How do you think the community should address any delays or setbacks in the implementation process?

We thought you might also like:

• What Are Comprehensive Plans?
• Interview: James Weaver – (former) Senior City Planner – Cincinnati, Ohio
• What is Economic Development?
• National Association of Development Organizations
• American Planning Association

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