Planner and Commissioner — Advice for Staff Planners
Today, suggestions for staff planners — based on our participants’ experience as planning commissioners.
Making Meetings Work
Running productive, civil meetings can sometimes be a challenge — but it's essential if the planning commission is going to be effective. These articles and postings focus on meeting management and how to deal with contentious public hearings.
Continue to older articles & posts — or return to newer ones — where you see the green buttons at the bottom of the page.
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.
Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Holding Public Hearings or Meetings
To help you avoid the holes in the rocky road of being a planning commissioner, we present the Top Ten Mistakes to Avoid When Holding Public Hearings or Meetings.
Dealing with Commissioners Who Have Too Much to Say
Last month, we discussed how to handle planning commissioners who have little to say. This time, we are writing about the reverse … those who are often loud, obstreperous, interruptive, sometimes rude, boisterous — or simply garrulous.
Dealing with Commissioners Who Have Too Little to Say
How can a commission chair encourage shy members to speak up? They may be newcomers to the board reluctant to express an opinion; genuinely deep thinkers who need to know all the facts before saying anything; or disinterested or bored individuals.
What Does a Discussion Look Like?
Our national public discourse hasn’t been very good at real discussion lately. Even on TV news shows that claim to be “discussing” issues, what you too often hear is people talking over and shouting past each other. But planning commissions can set a positive example in public hearings and meetings.
Our Public Hearings Resource Guide
Take a look at the latest addition to the PlannersWeb. Our 12-part Resource Guide will provide you tips and ideas on how to better manage public hearings. The Resource Guide also points you to other relevant online information and documents.
A Walkabout Approach to Public Meetings
Does your planning commission take a “walkabout approach” to public meetings. PlannersWeb contributing writers Jim Segedy & Lisa Hollingsworth-Segedy explain why it can be very helpful to put on your walking shoes and go out for a group walk.
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?
Sitting on Both Sides of the Table
We posed four questions to 25 individuals who have had the opportunity to serve both as professional and citizen planners. You’ll find their responses quite interesting and informative.
The Value of Debriefing
PCJ contributing writers Jim Segedy & Lisa Hollingsworth-Segedy on how debriefing meetings can help planning commissions work more effectively.
