Why Were You Interested in Serving on Your Planning Commission?
What got you interested in serving on your planning commission? Here’s what we heard back in response to our survey question.
Getting Started as a Commissioner
It can be challenge to be a new planning board member — with the need to learn about basic planning tools, your board's responsibilities, and how you can contribute most effectively. These articles can help you gain your bearings. But they also have useful tips for even more experienced planning board member.
Continue to older articles & posts — or return to newer ones — where you see the green buttons at the bottom of the page.
Most Recent Articles
Young Planning Commissioners, Part 3
How interested are young adults in local planning issues? And what advice would you give someone interested in serving on a planning board?
Young Planning Commissioners, Part 2
We asked our participants if there was anything that surprised them after joining their planning commission, and what challenges they faced in taking the time to serve.
Young Planning Commissioners, Part 1
Seven planning commissioners — all under 40 years old — share some of their thoughts about serving on their local planning commission.
Planner and Commissioner — The Relationship Between Staff & Commissioners
Our series wraps up, as our seven participants point to ways of strengthening the relationship between staff planners and planning commissioners.
Planner and Commissioner — Advice for Staff Planners
Today, suggestions for staff planners — based on our participants’ experience as planning commissioners.
Planner and Commissioner — Advice for Planning Commissioners
Our series continues, as we ask our seven planners what advice they’d give to planning commissioners — based on their experience as staff planners.
Planner and Commissioner — Surprises
Today, our seven planners tell us what most surprised them when they started serving on their planning commission.
Planner and Commissioner — Why Serve on a Planning Commission?
We asked seven individuals who have served both as professional and citizen planners to reply to a series of short questions. Today, they explain what got them interested in serving on their community’s planning commission.
New to a Planning Commission?
As you begin to attend meetings, you will find that although many parts of the agenda are routine, there soon is likely to be a controversial or contentious matter. You may be uneasy having to discuss your points of view. But you want to be effective. What should you consider?
Just What Is the Job of a Planning Commissioner?
Our primary goal as a publication has been to help planning board members do their job better. But just what is their job?
Why are You a Planning Commissioner?
Planner (and planning commissioner) Ric Stephens reflects on what motivates people to serve on planning boards.
What Planners Do
Four planners discuss the role of the professional planner; planning commission-staff relations; what commission chairs can do; pre-meeting workshops; and new commissioner orientation.
