There are so many different kinds of small towns, that they almost defy categorization. But most small towns do share one characteristic that affects planning: smaller budgets. This means planning commissions usually have few (if any) staff to rely on — and, instead, commissioners must educate themselves about a wide range of planning issues.
We hope that the Planners Web & Planning Commissioners Journal can serve as a valuable educational supplement for small town planning commissioners. While many articles & postings under other topic headings on our site will be helpful, those listed below may be of particular interest.
As someone who lives in a university town, I can tell you it’s not every day that the university’s and town’s perspectives on a key issue are closely aligned. But that’s the case in Storrs, Connecticut, where the University of Connecticut (UConn) and the Town of Mansfield both agree that what they really want an need is a new downtown center. A look at the development of Storrs Center.
Gaining a solid understanding of your community’s natural and built environment will lay the groundwork for more effective planning.
Discovering sometimes hidden community assets can lead to big economic benefits.
There’s been a dramatic change in the mission of a growing number of libraries across the country. No longer just static repositories of books and reference materials, libraries are increasingly serving as the hub of their communities, providing a broad range of services and activities.
One small Michigan city is focusing its efforts on building a strong downtown. A look at some of the challenges and opportunities facing Niles, Michigan.
I sat in on a meeting of the Elkhart County, Indiana, Plan Commission. On the agenda: a proposed zoning amendment to regulate digital electronic signs. It’s a fascinating, and challenging issue — one facing communities across the country.
How the public library has become the community hub for the town of Hudson, Ohio — and the key to a strong downtown and main street..
Enjoying a day off in a unique American small town: Cooperstown, New York.
In Cooperstown, New York, I met with Terry Bliss and heard about the job of a rural, small county planning director — who loves baseball (and is sure in the right place for that!)
Those are the words that Stephen Coronella used to describe the role of the Putney, Vermont, public library. Like a harbor. It provides a place where people can dock themselves for a while, socialize with others, and feel some comfort and security.
