Which body addresses land use planning and infrastructure issues that span multiple jurisdictions to ensure local plans coordinate with surrounding areas?

• A. Local planning agency
• B. Regional planning council (inter-jurisdiction)
• C. Metropolitan planning organization
• D. State planning board

Answer: (B)

Coordinating land use and infrastructure that cross multiple jurisdictions requires a body whose purpose is regional collaboration. A regional planning council brings together several counties and municipalities to plan across borders, align local plans, and address the big-picture needs that span communities—such as roads, utilities, water, and hazard mitigation—so that growth and development happen in a coordinated way. In Florida, these councils are specifically designed to foster inter-jurisdictional cooperation and ensure that local plans fit into a broader regional strategy.

Local planning agencies focus on a single city or county, handling internal zoning and development rules. Metropolitan planning organizations concentrate on transportation planning within urbanized areas. A state planning board would set statewide policy rather than coordinate across multiple local jurisdictions. Thus, the regional planning council is the correct choice for cross-boundary land use and infrastructure planning.