Final answer:
The comprehensive long-range plan intended to guide the growth and development of a community or region is known as a master plan. This document influences various aspects of urban planning such as zoning, infrastructure, and public services, and is vital for sustainable and organized regional development.
Step-by-step explanation:
When it comes to guiding the growth and development of a community or region, the most comprehensive tool used is a master plan. Unlike a rectangular survey, a zoning grid, or a building code plan, the master plan is a long-range policy document designed to influence land use, infrastructure, and public services over a period of time. The process of development regulation through land-use involves creating ordinances that support the master plan, controlling aspects such as zoning, subdivisions, street planning, public facility planning, and building regulations.
Such long-term planning becomes even more pertinent when considering regional and statewide planning, where the actions of one community impact neighboring ones. A well-developed master plan can help maintain local ecosystems and manage urban sprawl, preventing negative impacts such as checkerboard development. This planning takes into account the universal generalization that land use and zoning regulations are key to directing property development within municipal borders.
Therefore, the answer to the initial question is c. A master plan, which is the comprehensive long-range plan meant to guide numerous aspects of a community's or region's development.