What these programs have in common is a dissatisfaction with the pattern of development that results from planning favoring parochial financial interests rather than the public's interests. Establish clear, measurable objectives and criteria. Progress toward such objectives can be gauged and unambiguous criteria can be enforced. Vague slogans may be easier to sell politically, but accomplish little. Build incentives for enforcement into the program, such as the award of attorney fees for private citizens who enforce the laws.
Bureaucracies tend to grow politically cautious and lazy and thus are reluctant to enforce the law.
Implement a continuing program for educating the citizens serving on city, town, and county councils and planning commissions about the purposes and methods of the planning program. These citizens carry the chief burden for carrying out these laws. Provide a specialized land use appeals tribunal to speed appeal processes, lower costs, and produce better decisions. Organize conservation public interest organizations that are vigilant in opposing efforts to weaken the land use program.