Where Am I? The Power of Uniqueness
What’s the value of uniqueness and community identity? That’s the question ULI analyst — and long-time Planning Commissioners Journal columnist — Ed McMahon addresses in his dynamic 17-minute TED Talk.
Editor’s Choices for New Planning Board Members
PlannersWeb Editor Wayne Senville’s selection of articles especially worth a look by new members of planning commissions.
Note: There are more Editor’s Choice articles than are visible on this page — when you get to the bottom of the page, please continue on to “Older Posts” to view the rest of our Editor’s Choice articles.
Most Recent Articles
The Cheese-Counter Encounter
You’re doing some shopping. While waiting to buy some cheese, a fellow planning commissioners spots you and wants to discuss an application before the commission for decision. What should you do?
Open Meeting Laws – Part 1: An Overview
An introduction to the goals and structure of open meeting laws — including a look at the key question: what constitutes a “meeting”?
The Secrets of Successful Communities – Part 1: Have a Vision for the Future
Planning and land development analyst Ed McMahon looks at ways in which communities — large and small — can succeed. In today’s first installment, McMahon speaks of the importance of having a vision for the future.
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.
Top 10 Ways to Make Your Planning Commission More Relevant in Your Community
To avoid being seen as “just part of the system,” here are 10 ways to solidify your planning commission’s relevance.
On Commitment
How do we motivate commissioners to realize being on the planning commission requires a “commitment”? The more I thought about it, the more complex the answer seems to be.
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.
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?
What’s the Market Telling Us?
Ed McMahon, the Urban Land Institute’s Senior Fellow for Sustainable Development, provided a riveting talk focusing on changing trends in economic development, and how they are shaping our communities.
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?
What Are You Guys Doing To Fix It?
As planners and planning commissioners we need to think ahead, anticipate consequences, and identify our blind spots so we aren’t sideswiped by a future we didn’t see coming.
Making a Difference
How much of a difference can one planning commissioner make? Quite a bit, as Otis White explains in this story about a county planning commissioner from Oregon.
