At the Confluence
Confluence: a place where two rivers or streams join to become one | a situation in which two things come together or happen at the same time.
Voices of Planning Commissioners
You’ll find great perspectives and advice from the many planning commissioners featured in our articles and postings.
Most Recent Articles
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.
Chairing the Planning Commission
A long-time planning commission chair offers her insights on ways to run fair and effective commission meetings and hearings.
Planning Commissioner Perspectives
Planning commissioners from Virginia, Pennsylvania, Utah, and New York offer their perspectives on what makes for an effective planning board, and on the role of the chairperson.
Welcome to the Commission
Advice from six planning commissioners from across the country especially aimed at new planning commissioners. Plus a roundtable discussion moderated by Planning Commissioners Journal editor Wayne Senville.
Planning Commissioners Roundtable Discussion
PCJ Editor Wayne Senville holds a roundtable discussion with six planning commissioners from across the country.
Commissioners as Neighborhood Advocates
Planning commissioner William M. Harris offers his thoughts on the downside of commissioners acting as advocates for their own neighborhoods.
Being a Planning Commissioner
Asking the right question; evaluating information presented; identifying interests; making no excuses. Lessons from nine years as a member of a local planning and zoning commission.
Planning from Different Perspectives
How members of planning commissions and zoning boards can be most effective in dealing with applicants, members of the public, and staff.
The New Commissioner: Dazed & Confused
Sharon Hightower, a California planning consultant and planning commissioner, offers some “orientation” advice for new planning commissioners.
The “Multi-Family Housing Blues”
A planning commissioner recounts what happened when a multi-family housing project was proposed in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Let’s Not Plan by Siege
Planning commissioner Barbara Jarvis explores what Ashland, Oregon, has done to encourage the use of mediation in land use disputes and neighborhood planning.
Planning Commissioners Roundtable Discussion
Discussion focuses on the role of the planning commission on growth and development issues; new commissioner orientation; and communications with the public.
