Which statement accurately describes directive zoning?

• A. It regulates the size and placement of buildings.
• B. It governs the distances from streets for setbacks.
• C. It concerns the function of land and promotes highest and best use.
• D. It regulates property taxes.

Answer: (C)

Directive zoning focuses on the intended function of land and guides development to promote its highest and best use within the community plan. It’s about deciding what the land should be used for (such as residential, commercial, or mixed-use) and shaping development to fit long-term goals, rather than dictating exact physical details of the buildings. The specifics of how big a building can be or how far it must sit from the street are examples of regulatory or dimensional controls that set site design parameters. Property taxes, on the other hand, are a fiscal tool and not part of zoning. So the statement that directive zoning concerns the function of land and promotes highest and best use best captures its purpose.