Making Change Happen
Michael Chandler explains why planning commissions should view change as an opportunity rather than a threat….
Search Results for by Michael Chandler
Developing the Comprehensive Plan
Michael Chandler on developing the comp plan: Part I: key considerations in putting together a comprehensive plan. Part II: citizen participation methods. Part III: strategies for getting the plan adopted and implemented….
Are You Organized For Business?
Mike Chandler provides a 20-question exercise that can help your commission see how well it’s organized for business….
Making Planning Accountable
How do measure the success of planning in your town, city, or county? Mike Chandler looks at some basic ways to make planning accountable….
Making the Most of Your Meeting Time, Parts I & II
Mike Chandler offers two exercises that can help you make the most of your meeting time; plus a look at debriefing your planning commission meetings…
Citizen Planning Academies
One of the major challenges facing most communities, and their planning boards, is how to explain planning and the planning process in terms citizens can understand. Mike Chandler looks at how “citizen planning academies” helped…
Zoning and Changing Lifestyles
Long-time planners and PCJ contributing writers Mike Chandler and Greg Dale take a look at the impact that changes in our society are having on local zoning regulation….
Zoning Basics
Mike Chandler and Greg Dale look at zoning basics with an overview of the purposes of zoning, the structure of a typical zoning ordinance, and the principal players in the “zoning universe.” With sidebars on…
Our Contributing Writers
Use the drop down menu above or the links below to learn about our primary contributing writers — both in the Planning Commissioners Journal and on the PlannersWeb. Michael Chandler — Elaine Cogan — Greg…
B is for Budget
…comprehensive plan. See Michael Chandler’s three-part series on capital improvement programs. Read excerpt from start of article: The public aspects of cities include not only services (i.e., police and fire protection, education, and protection…
Can “Citizen Planning Academies” Work in Your Community?
…the page). Notes: Editor’s note: In our past look into citizen planning academies in 1998, Michael Chandler examined the communities of King George County and Hanover County in Virginia. Their approaches, while different, emphasized the…
Strengthening the Planning Commission – Governing Body Relationship
…of improving the relationship between the planning commission and governing body, see: “Working Effectively With Elected Officials,” by Elaine Cogan “Linking Elected Officials With Planning,” by Michael Chandler “Town Councils and Planning Boards: A Challenging…
Commission and Staff: Expectations of Each Other
…planning academies in 1998, Michael Chandler examined the communities of King George County and Hanover County in Virginia. Their approaches, while different, emphasized the growing importance of citizen involvement in planning and for fostering a…
