Land Use

Opportunity Area #28 – Promote Fiscally Sustainable Development Patterns

OKI’s Fiscal Impact Analysis Model (FIAM) as a Tool for Local Governments

In response to policy recommendations contained within the SRPP, OKI formed a partnership with ten local governments to develop the Fiscal Impact Analysis Model (FIAM). The FIAM provides local governmental decision-makers with valuable information regarding financial revenues and costs associated with new development and land use changes. The OKI model uses local data and can be implemented at all levels of government (i.e. county, city, and township) represented in the OKI region.

The model can compare alternative development scenarios within a jurisdiction and analyze the effects of specific development projects. The FIAM uses local government budgetary data as well as land use, population, and employment information to accurately project costs and revenues of local development decisions.  Local data on land use, market value, tax rates, and financial data are necessary to develop reasonable estimates.

Policy Recommendations

28.A Local governments should encourage development practices that more effectively utilize public infrastructure and considers the long-term cost of infrastructure maintenance.

28.B Local governments should consider the fiscal costs and benefits associated with new development, and OKI will continue to maintain the Fiscal Impact Analysis Model and provide technical assistance to local governments for its use.

28.C Local governments should consider the need for accommodating low revenue land uses (such as parks and affordable housing) to ensure that the needs of all residents are being met.

28.D Land uses and land use planning should utilize – and where possible, improve – existing infrastructure instead of creating new infrastructure.

28.E Local governments should encourage adaptive reuse, historic preservation, and brownfield redevelopment to make efficient use of land, infrastructure, and resources while preserving community character.

28.F Local governments should prioritize infrastructure investments to serve existing and planned centers of population and employment and to serve the redevelopment of brownfields rather than developing greenfields.

28.G Take steps to stop the development of excess parking. Encourage parking structures that can be converted to another use once that parking is no longer needed.

28.H Local planning controls will encourage high-quality, lasting development methods and construction materials to endure multiple generations of users.