What is the primary purpose of comprehensive local and regional planning?

The primary purpose of comprehensive local and regional planning is to provide broad public powers and regulatory authority. This type of planning framework is designed to assess the existing conditions of the community while establishing goals for future development. It enables local governments and planning bodies to create policies and regulations that guide land use, infrastructure development, and resource management in a coherent manner.

Through comprehensive planning, public authorities can exercise regulatory authority to implement zoning laws, land-use regulations, and development guidelines that align with the community's vision. This oversight helps ensure that development occurs in an orderly fashion, mindful of environmental impacts, public health, and community needs. Furthermore, by empowering local governments, comprehensive planning supports stakeholder engagement and promotes sustainable practices that can enhance quality of life for residents.

In contrast, the focus of regulating development (as indicated in another choice) is a component of comprehensive planning rather than its primary purpose. While levying higher taxes could be a byproduct of planning decisions, it doesn't encapsulate the broader strategic goals of community development. Lastly, encouraging unregulated growth would be counterproductive to the aims of comprehensive planning, which seeks to impose guidelines to manage growth responsibly and sustainably.