Don’t Take It Personally
PCJ columnist Ric Stephens offers four rules to help ensure all citizens receive a fair and impartial hearing from the planning commission.
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.
Practical Tips for Citizen Planners
Are you as effective as you can be in your job as a planning commissioner? Planner Carolyn Braun offers some tips for your consideration.
Dealing With Contentious Public Hearings
One of the toughest challenges facing planning commissioners is how to deal with public hearings involving controversial development projects and zoning amendments. Planners and planning commissioners from across the country offer practical suggestions.
The Nine Circles of Planning Commission Hell
Planning commission hearings can sometimes bear an uncomfortable resemblance to the descriptions in Dante’s epic poem. But there are ways to escape, explains PCJ columnist Ric Stephens.
Different Perspectives
Do you ever try to assess how you and your fellow planning board members look through the eyes of those attending your meetings? Getting feedback can yield valuable insights, and lead to changes in how your commission conducts its business.
The Endemic Problem of Information Overload
As a planning commissioner, do you sometimes suffer from information overload? Some suggestions for relief.
What It Means When We Say…
What we say, what we mean, and what they hear at commission meetings don’t always correspond.
In the Beginning
Why the first few minutes of your planning commission meeting are especially important.
Late Nights with the Commission
Why the length and pace of planning board hearings can affect the quality of public participation and decision-making.
Enticements Needed to Woo the Public
People are friendlier, to their fellow citizens and to the conveners of meetings, if their stomachs aren’t grumbling. How food can make a difference.
And the Consensus Is …
How do you build consensus on your planning board? Elaine Cogan offers some suggestions.
First on the Agenda is the Agenda!
How much thought goes into your planning board’s agenda? A look at ways of improving your meeting agenda.
Building Consensus
Land use mediation can be an effective tool in aligning divergent interests, developing creative solutions, and resolving heated disputes. An overview of how land use mediation works — and when it’s most effective.
