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| How can a land use plan be implemented if it is not fiscally sustainable? |
Growth Alternatives Analyses
In this type of analysis several different development scenarios are evaluated and compared. These scenarios can include variations in absorption schedules, comparison of alternative land use plans, or a comparison of alternative development patterns. This type of analysis is cumulative in that it evaluates the fiscal impacts of all anticipated development within the analysis area over a defined period, usually between ten and twenty years. The majority of the firm's assignments in this area are related to comprehensive planning efforts.
Among the firm's recent studies have been the following:
Howard County, Maryland TischlerBise's fiscal work included in APA National Award for Best Comprehensive Plan
TischlerBise conducted the fiscal analysis of the Howard County, Maryland General Plan. This analysis included the evaluation of several different land use scenarios. The results were critical in influencing its recommendations and ultimate adoption. The General Plan won the APA National Award for Best Comprehensive Plan. The County has again retained the firm for fiscal analysis evaluations for the General Plan update.
Anne Arundel County, Maryland Growth Generates Surpluses
TischlerBise conducted a two-phase fiscal impact analysis as part of the County's General Development Plan Update. The first phase evaluated the fiscal impact of new growth under four development scenarios on the County budget, including schools. Because Maryland's local government revenue structure includes property taxes, franchise fees, income tax, transfer/ recordation taxes and impact fees, it is not surprising that new development generates net surpluses. Phase II of this assignment layered the impact of the existing development and current infrastructure deficiencies on top of new development to determine whether the surpluses generated by new development were enough to offset the costs to correct these backlogs.
Champaign, Illinois Phased Growth Pattern Generates Better Results
TischlerBise recently completed a two-phase fiscal impact study for the City of Champaign. Phase I was a Cost of Land Uses Study, which provided an understanding of how discrete land use categories currently impact the City's finances. Specifically, the City was interested in knowing what existing development types in the City generate in terms of revenue versus the commensurate service and facility costs. In Phase II, TischlerBise evaluated the cost to serve new development in the future. One scenario assumed all future growth occurs within the current sanitary sewer service area. The second scenario assumed new growth is not contained within the current service area, resulting in a more scattershot development pattern. Our analysis found that capital costs were significantly lower under the scenario that assumes future development occurs within the current sanitary sewer service area.
Henrico County, Virginia TischlerBise study and software is being used for further policy analysis and decision making
TischlerBise examined the impact of growth on the City of Henrico County, Virginia over the next 20 years. As noted by the City, this information will be used as a foundation for the further policy discussions relating to fiscal impacts of growth and development. The firm also developed a fiscal impact model designed for Scottsdale which has been utilizing it in updating the evaluations as well as other relevant fiscal analyses.
Twin Cities Metropolitan Council This unique regional fiscal impact study of eight member jurisdictions is comparing trends and compact growth alternatives
Eight jurisdictions in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Council evaluated the fiscal impact of two different growth alternatives - compact versus trends development. The evaluation included two jurisdictions each from four different types of communities - matured, maturing, suburbanizing and developing. The analysis evaluated the relationship between development densities and infrastructure costs and the return on municipal investment at various densities.
Kansas City Mid-America Regional Council Transportation issues are an important ingredient in growth patterns and fiscal consequences. TischlerBise was a subcontractor for the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) in Kansas City. Our study addressed the fiscal impact of transportation alternatives to the jurisdictions in the MARC region. The front-end capital costs compared to the initial revenue stream is one of several fiscal issues to consider.
Among the firm's recent studies have been the following:
Howard County, Maryland TischlerBise's fiscal work included in APA National Award for Best Comprehensive Plan
TischlerBise conducted the fiscal analysis of the Howard County, Maryland General Plan. This analysis included the evaluation of several different land use scenarios. The results were critical in influencing its recommendations and ultimate adoption. The General Plan won the APA National Award for Best Comprehensive Plan. The County has again retained the firm for fiscal analysis evaluations for the General Plan update.
Anne Arundel County, Maryland Growth Generates Surpluses
TischlerBise conducted a two-phase fiscal impact analysis as part of the County's General Development Plan Update. The first phase evaluated the fiscal impact of new growth under four development scenarios on the County budget, including schools. Because Maryland's local government revenue structure includes property taxes, franchise fees, income tax, transfer/ recordation taxes and impact fees, it is not surprising that new development generates net surpluses. Phase II of this assignment layered the impact of the existing development and current infrastructure deficiencies on top of new development to determine whether the surpluses generated by new development were enough to offset the costs to correct these backlogs.
Champaign, Illinois Phased Growth Pattern Generates Better Results
TischlerBise recently completed a two-phase fiscal impact study for the City of Champaign. Phase I was a Cost of Land Uses Study, which provided an understanding of how discrete land use categories currently impact the City's finances. Specifically, the City was interested in knowing what existing development types in the City generate in terms of revenue versus the commensurate service and facility costs. In Phase II, TischlerBise evaluated the cost to serve new development in the future. One scenario assumed all future growth occurs within the current sanitary sewer service area. The second scenario assumed new growth is not contained within the current service area, resulting in a more scattershot development pattern. Our analysis found that capital costs were significantly lower under the scenario that assumes future development occurs within the current sanitary sewer service area.
Henrico County, Virginia TischlerBise study and software is being used for further policy analysis and decision making
TischlerBise examined the impact of growth on the City of Henrico County, Virginia over the next 20 years. As noted by the City, this information will be used as a foundation for the further policy discussions relating to fiscal impacts of growth and development. The firm also developed a fiscal impact model designed for Scottsdale which has been utilizing it in updating the evaluations as well as other relevant fiscal analyses.
Twin Cities Metropolitan Council This unique regional fiscal impact study of eight member jurisdictions is comparing trends and compact growth alternatives
Eight jurisdictions in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Council evaluated the fiscal impact of two different growth alternatives - compact versus trends development. The evaluation included two jurisdictions each from four different types of communities - matured, maturing, suburbanizing and developing. The analysis evaluated the relationship between development densities and infrastructure costs and the return on municipal investment at various densities.
Kansas City Mid-America Regional Council Transportation issues are an important ingredient in growth patterns and fiscal consequences. TischlerBise was a subcontractor for the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) in Kansas City. Our study addressed the fiscal impact of transportation alternatives to the jurisdictions in the MARC region. The front-end capital costs compared to the initial revenue stream is one of several fiscal issues to consider.
About Growth Alternatives Analyses
TischlerBise focuses on the case study-marginal cost approach, which reflects fiscal reality.