The Land Use Control Section processes and analyzes applications for zoning changes, subdivision of property and other land development actions. It serves as the staff to the Memphis and Shelby County Land Use Control Board, as well as the Memphis and Shelby County Board of Adjustment. Land Use Control maintains the Memphis and Shelby County Zoning Atlas through a state of the art geographic information system.

The Comprehensive Planning Section The Comprehensive Planning Section provides direction for future growth by developing policies and strategies that build new communities while encouraging redevelopment in inner-city neighborhoods through sound land use planning principles. Additionally, this section develops long-range countywide land use plans, as well as directed toward the implementation of neighborhood initiatives. Also, the section serves as a central repository for plans and data that are useful for both planning and policy studies conduced on behalf of city and county administrations, legislative bodies and the general public.

Finally, the section serves as the staff to the Memphis Landmarks Commission and the Community Redevelopment Agency. Two of the section’s most recent plans – Normal Station and South Central Business Industry District (SCBID), are available online.

The Landmarks Commission The Memphis Landmarks Commission is charged with preserving Memphis’ historic resources through planning, education and the review of proposed projects within the city’s designated historic districts. Similarly, the CRA oversees reinvestments for infrastructure and other public initiatives for selected neighborhoods via tax increment financing. Public investments for such projects are leveraged from private funding sources and are used to eliminate slum and blight and to promote construction and renovation of low and moderate income housing in inner-city areas.