Table of Contents
List of Figures and Table ix
Introduction 1
Chapter 1 Roles and Responsibilities of the Planning Commissioner 5
Long-Range Planning: Imagining the Future 6
What Is a Comprehensive Plan? 6
Development Review 7
Planning Commission Authority 8
Staff Roles 8
Governing Body (Elected Officials) 11
Legal Counsel 12
Board of Adjustment 13
Advisory Boards and Commissions 13
Service Providers 14
Advocacy Groups 15
Applicant / Applicant Representatives 15
Conclusion 15
Chapter 2 The Planning Commissioner's Role in Long-Range Planning 17
Why Do We Plan? 19
What Are We Hoping to Accomplish When We Plan? 20
The Comprehensive Plan 20
Other Types of Plans 31
Conclusion 35
Chapter 3 Preparing for Your Role as a Planning Commissioner 37
Expectations 37
How to Prepare to Be a Commissioner 42
Conclusion 46
Chapter 4 Information Available to the Commission 47
General Planning and Zoning Information 47
Development Application Information 52
Conclusion 54
Chapter 5 Plan Review 55
Development Application Package 55
Conclusion 72
Chapter 6 Running Meetings 73
Know Your Job 75
The Right Space: Room Layout 76
First Impressions: Handouts and Sign-in Sheet 76
Meeting Leadership: The Role of the Chair 77
Getting Off on the Right Foot: Opening the Meeting 78
Image and Impression: Comportment and Attentiveness 78
Two Stages of a Meeting: Fact Finding and Deliberation 79
Conclusion 84
Chapter 7 Decision-Making Principles 85
Why Is This Important? 86
Due Process for Planning Commissioners 88
Conclusion 102
Chapter 8 Ethics 103
The Ethical Principles 104
Applying the Principles: Scenarios 107
Conclusion 127
Glossary 129
Index 139
