Planning Commissioners Journal

Our Winter Issue: Strengthening Local Economies

You can either download a pdf of the Winter 2012 issue for $10.75 or Order a print copy for delivery by mail for $12.75, plus postage

An Important Message from Planning Commissioners Journal Publisher & Editor Wayne Senville
Contents of our Winter 2012 Issue:
	Complete Streets by Hannah Twaddell A growing number of communities are developing "complete streets" policies and programs. What's behind this new approach to local transportation planning?
Food Planning for Your Local Economy by Diana Limbach Lempel and Christina DiLisio A look at several projects in the Boston area highlighting the link between planning and food. Also exclusively on our PlannersWeb site, PCJ contributing writer Beth Humstone outlines key elements in drafting a mobile food truck ordinance.
	It's Cool to Be Square by Staff from Project for Public Spaces More and more, public squares and urban parks, not expensive mega-projects, are emerging as the best way to make downtowns more livable.
Plannerisms We Can Do Without by Dave Stauffer If planners were to delete only one word from their vocabulary, which would you vote for? Some nominees from PCJ contributing writer Dave Stauffer -- and from some of our readers.
	Winning a Community Over to New Ideas by Otis White In this follow-up to his Fall article, Otis White reports on the impact a Pennsylvania planning commissioner had on his community.
Putting Some Oomph into Planning with Carolyn Braun, AICP; Wendy Grey, AICP; Lisa Hollingsworth-Segedy, AICP; Lee Krohn, AICP; and Jim Segedy, FAICP. A roundtable discussion on ways of strengthening the planning process -- with a look at: the roles of planning commissions and governing bodies; finding time for long-range planning; and better ways of implementing local plans.
	What Are You Guys Doing To Fix It? by Della Rucker, AICP, CEcD 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.

An Important Message from the Planning Commissioners Journal

It is with deep regret that we have to report that after 20 years in business as an independently owned and operated publication for citizen planners, the Planning Commissioners Journal will be ending publication this Spring. Unfortunately, the long economic recession and the impact it has had on municipalities -- who make up over 90 percent of our subscription base -- has left us in a position where it is simply not economically feasible to continue publication.

Our final issue this Spring will include a special retrospective of the most important topics we’ve reported on over the years. In the coming weeks we will also be sharing information about the availability of our extensive archive of articles (over 450 published since 1991) and our other publications, while alerting you to several exciting special offers. At the end of March, we’ll also be releasing an updated and expanded version of our popular booklet: Welcome to the Commission! A Guide for New Members. Special pre-order discount pricing on the updated edition of this publication is now available.

Make sure you’re on our email list, as future announcements will primarily be by email. If you’re currently a Planning Commissioners Journal subscriber, you’ll find a letter enclosed with the Winter issue (now being mailed out) asking you to verify your current email address. If you’re not a subscriber, you can easily sign up for our email update list.

We appreciate the support we've received from our friends and subscribers over the years. Thank you!

Wayne Senville, Publisher & Editor

Betsey Krumholz, General Manager

p.s., if you have any questions, don't hesitate to either email us at: pcjoffice@gmail.com or phone us at: 802-864-9083.

 

Eating on the Go: Mobile Food Trucks

by Planning Commissioners Journal Contributing Writer Elizabeth Humstone

Across the country entrepreneurial chefs are peddling their food on the road -- moving into parking spaces and serving up customers a broad range of culinary specialties at affordable prices. For many food truckers, this is a chance to try out their recipes, get a following, and move up to a bricks and mortar location someday. For others, it is a way to increase awareness of their anchor restaurants by spreading out into the community to broaden their base.

Food trucks have become so established that Zagat’s, the guide to fine dining, offers an interactive food truck finder for some cities. In Columbus, Ohio vendors have their own web site -- Street Eats Columbus. The Mayor of Tampa, Florida, likes what food trucks do for his town and is organizing a monthly Food Truck Fiesta.

Truck outfitters, depot kitchens owners, website designers, lawyers, permit expediters, and marketers are all benefiting. Even established restaurant chains like Taco Bell and Jack in the Box are getting into the act. The industry is serviced by its own website, magazine, podcast series, and a show on the Cooking Channel. It looks like food trucks are here to stay. 

Many cities are embracing the rise in food trucks as a way to add jobs, bring vitality to the streets, and offer convenience and diverse eating choices to consumers. 

Food truck in downtown Miami, Florida. See also Miami Food Trucks web site.

Yet others have resisted the trend when faced with angry push-back from established restauranteurs who say the trucks are unfair competition and block views of their businesses. Opponents complain that the mobile vendors aren’t tax-paying, rent-paying, ADA-compliant, health-inspected, and zoning-permitted businesses. While food truck vendors may not pay rent or property taxes, they do incur costs for food, food preparation and storage, fuel, permits and fees, and truck maintenance. They also usually must meet a host of local regulations. Many communities require health inspections, vending permits, business registration, and zoning permits. Still others, such as St. Petersburg, Florida, don’t permit mobile food vendors at all.

Pressures are mounting, however, for cities to loosen up their restrictions on food trucks. Courts have struck down zoning standards on food trucks designed to address unfair competition with bricks-and-mortar restaurants. Support from the business community and even other restauranteurs is beginning to grow -- provided some conditions are met.

What are the considerations that planners must make with respect to food trucks to respond to this mobile land use issue?

Pre-Order our Updated & Expanded Welcome to the Commission Guide

We are about to release an updated version of our best-selling: Welcome to the Commission! A Guide for New Members. In addition to "Tips for New Members" and "The Planning Universe," the revised edition will include planning historian Laurence Gerckens' fascinating Planning ABC's -- an alphabetic overview of 26 key planning topics.

Order today, as pre-order pricing is guaranteed only through March 15, 2012.

For details & ordering information.

Resolve to Get Your Planning Commission Organized for Business With Our New Year's Special Offer

Order all of the following articles for delivery by first-class mail, as a bound 63-page reprint collection ($18.95); note: FREE SHIPPING with this monthly special. Local governments: if you prefer, we can invoice you; just phone in your order: 802-864-9083 (between 1pm and 4pm Eastern). Considering ordering 5 or more copies of Come to Order? Call our office -- we can offer you an extra 10% discount on your order. Just phone us at: 802-864-9083. note: becasue of the substantial discount on our monthly specials, no additional Planning Comm'rs Journal subscriber discount is available on them.

Come to Order! Getting Organized for Business Getting - and staying - organized is essential for the proper conduct of the public's business. These articles from the Planning Commissioners Journal will help your commission better prepare for and run public meetings. Also included are model planning commission by-laws and rules of procedure drafted by the late David Allor. This collection of articles will serve as a great resource for planners, planning commissioners, and local governing body members. This reprint collection is attractively bound, and delivered by first-class mail.

Articles	Summary
The Planning Commission At Work
Getting the Job Done by Michael Chandler	Highlighting strategies planning boards can employ to help commissioners get the job done.
The Planning Commission As Independent Advisor by Michael Chandler	Ways your commission can advance the cause of good planning, and strengthen its relationship with the governing body.
Commission and Staff; Expectations of Each Other by Michael Chandler	Focusing on the important, but often overlooked, relationship between commission and staff.
Being a Planning Commissioner by Steven Burt	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.
Chairing the Planning Commission by Carol Whitlock	A long-time planning commission chair offers her insights on ways to run fair and effective commission meetings and hearings. Plus a staff planner's perspective from Lee Krohn.
Are You Organized for Business?
Keeping Things in Order: Planning Commission By-Laws by David J. Allor	Consider by-laws creation in much the same way as a vaccination: trading short-term discomfort for the increased assurance of long-term security.
The Commission Will Come to Order: Commentary on Adapting the Rules of Parliamentary Procedure and Model Outline of Motions for Planning Commissions and Zoning Boards by David J. Allor	Summarizing the essential features of parliamentary procedure, and reviewing some of the problems planning boards face using "Robert's Rules." Includes an understandable set of procedural rules to guide the deliberative process, and, of equal importance, promote public understanding of commission deliberations.
First on the Agenda is the Agenda! by Elaine Cogan	How much thought goes into your planning board's agenda?
Making the Most of Your Meeting Time by Michael Chandler	The road to more effective meetings should begin with an examination of how you currently manage your time.
Are You Organized for Business? by Michael Chandler	A questionnaire that can help planning commissions quickly identify some of the basics of good commission practice that may have fallen by the wayside.
The "Riggins Rules" by Fred Riggins	A must-read. Suggested Do's & Don'ts for the Conduct of Public Hearings and the Deportment of Members of Boards, Commissions & Other Bodies, by the late Fred Riggins.
Decision Making & Public Meetings
Decision Making by Michael Chandler	There will be times each of us internally debates the wisdom of our assessment of an issue.
And the Consensus Is ... by Elaine Cogan	Suggestions on how to build consensus on your planning board.
What's Your PMQ (Public Meeting Quotient)? by Elaine Cogan	Designing and carrying out effective public meetings is an inexact, but important component of the planning process, and should be taken seriously.
Is It Glitz? Is It Real? by Elaine Cogan	Why it's important for planning commissioners to look behind the pretty pictures, and beyond the enticing words, of polished presentations.
A Nose for NIMBYs by Chris Robbins	Most planning commissioners have sat through stormy meetings, with angry residents confronting project applicants. Legitimate concerns are often mixed with irrational fears. Insights into how to deal with NIMBY situations.
Late Nights witht he Commission by Ric Stephens	Why the length and pace of planning board hearings can affect the quality of public participation and decision-making.
Dealing With Contentious Public Hearings by Wayne Senville	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 based on what's worked in their communities.
Another Meeting? by Elaine Cogan	Even the most diligent members must be absent sometimes, but this should be the exception not the rule.

What are "Complete Streets" -- draft article for your review

From PCJ Editor Wayne Senville

Set out below is a draft article, What Are “Complete Streets,” by Hannah Twaddell prepared for publication in the Winter issue of the Planning Commissioners Journal. Hannah has reported on transportation topics in the PCJ for more than seven years.

As always, I encourage you to reply with any questions, comments, or other feedback you might have about this draft. We’re especially interested in hearing about any issues you’d like to see discussed that are not included in the draft. Also, if you'd had success with Complete Streets programs in your community or region, please consider taking a few minutes to let us know what you've accomplished.

*** If you use Linkedin, consider posting your comments under the Discussion item at: www.linkedin.com/groups?mostPopular=&gid=2463680 (you need to be a Linkedin member to access this page) OR email your feedback to me at: pcjoffice@gmail.com -- with a "cc" to Hannah at: hannah@twaddellassociates.com. For replies just sent to me, I'll assume it's OK to share your comments with the author unless you indicate otherwise in your email.

*** Please get back to us no later than Thursday, Dec. 1st.

-- DRAFT ARTICLE FOR YOUR REVIEW --

What Are “Complete Streets?”

by Hannah Twaddell

Over the past 140 years, American interest groups and engineering techniques for each type of roadway user have evolved separately. Our nation’s modern paved roadways were initially designed (and sometimes paid for) by bicyclists.[1] But their voices -- and most of their vehicles -- were overtaken in the early 20th century by the automobile users who ushered in the era of building high-speed highways.

In the 1970’s, bicyclists began again to lobby in earnest for better “bike/ped” facilities. Advocacy for improved public transit has since grown, as has our awareness of the need to make transportation systems safer for older adults, children, and people with disabilities. The complete streets movement provides a forum for all of these modal advocates to join forces with transportation engineers, planners, and community leaders in an effort to create truly multi-modal networks for 21st century travelers.

Complete streets are designed to be safe for everyone who uses them. In many places, especially in towns and cities, this can be quite a diverse group of folks. Roadway users may include drivers and passengers in cars, buses, delivery vans, 18-wheelers, and golf carts; fast-moving bicyclists who prefer riding in traffic; slower-moving cyclists (including children) who need to be separated from don’t want to ride near traffic; and pedestrians of all ages and abilities, including people handling wheelchairs or walkers, riding skateboards, roller blades, or segways, pushing baby strollers, and, oh yes, walking. 

Could any street be designed to support all these types of travelers? Yes. Should every street be designed this way? No. But a complete street network should provide safe, convenient paths for everyone who needs to get from one place to another. The complete streets concept is not about trying to make each and every road in a community serve all possible users, but it does aim to make sure all users can navigate safely.

What are You Guys Doing to Fix It? -- draft article for your review

Note from Planning Comm'rs Journal Editor Wayne Senville:

This article is no longer available for review. We usually post draft articles on our web site for about one to two weeks to allow for comment. This article will be published in our Winter 2012 issue, due out at the end of January.

Substantial Savings on PCJ Back Issues

To clear our inventory, we have just dramatically reduced the price of the printed copies of the 21 PCJ issues published between 2006 and 2011 to just $6.00 (just $4.50 each for PCJ subscribers). Take advantage of this unparalleled opportunity from the Planning Commissioners Journal while issues remain available. Maximum $5.00 shipping charge on any order, regardless of quantity of back issues ordered. Note to PCJ subscribers: activate your 25% discount now -- then use the links below for the back issues you're interested in. Having trouble deciding which back issues you want? Get all 21 of the back issues listed below for just $80.00 ($60.00 for PCJ subscribers -- less than $3.00 each!), plus only $5.00 postage for all 21 issues: Use the above button to order all 21 of the following back issues. To order individual issues, use the links for each issue listed below.

PCJ #82, Spring 2011 Putting Words Into Action -- articles on: how to strengthen connections between your comp plan and land use regulations; bringing an economic perspective to planning; what scale of development works best; and more. Plus Ed McMahon on whether the era of strip development is nearing an end.

PCJ #81, Winter 2011 Recognizing Community Assets -- articles on cultural asset mapping; understanding urban growth boundaries; tips for citizen planners; the control of billboards; and more.

PCJ #80, Fall 2010 Where Are We Heading? -- articles on how transportation planning can help foster livable communities; the importance of "place making;" understanding regional retail development; conducting a "community character" inventory; and considering the defintion of what's "sustainable."

PCJ #79, Summer 2010 Open for Business -- articles in this issue focus on the relationship between planning and local economies, inlcuding a look at the role of business improvement districts. Also in this issue: ways planning commissions can work better together as a group; and more.

PCJ #78, Spring 2010 Housing Choices -- including articles on how changing demographics are affecting housing demand -- and how planners can respond. Also in this issue: drafting clear ordinances: do's and dont's; 21st century transportation planning challenges; and more.

PCJ #77, Winter 2010 Contentious Public Hearings -- planners and planning commissioners from across the country offer practical suggestions based on what's worked in their communities. Also in this issue: building your planning process from the ground up.

PCJ #76, Fall 2009 Zoning for Religious Institutions -- a primer on key zoning issues. Also in this issue: tips on preparing & implementing the comp plan; planning for public transit in rural communities; where's art in planning; and more.

PCJ #75, Summer 2009 Libraries at the Heart of Our Communities -- featuring a report on the changing role of libraries and how they can become important economic engines of downtowns and neighborhoods. Also in this issue: tips on becoming a more effective public speaker, and more.

PCJ #74, Spring 2009 Getting the Density You Want -- how you can plan for the density that works best for your community. Also in this issue: picking up the phone to generate citizen involvement; implementing the comp plan; improving roadways for everyone; and more.

PCJ #73, Winter 2009 Managing Stormwater -- featuring two articles on the changing nature of stormwater management. Also in this issue: the ABC's of transit-oriented development; conducting a community self-assessment; and more.

PCJ #72, Fall 2008 Pattern Books for Communities -- featuring a look at the growing use of pattern books. Also in this issue: an overview of GIS & planning; dealing with information overload; and more.

PCJ #71, Summer 2008 Envisioning Greenways -- a "four-step path" to developing a successful greenway trail. Also in this issue: an introduction to charrettes; strategies for guiding development at the edge of a community; key elements in a visioning process; and more.

PCJ #70, Spring 2008 Ready for Car Sharing? -- a look at how car sharing programs work and some of the key challenges involved. Also in this issue: chairing the planning commission; examining ex-parte contacts; involving Generation Xers in planning; and more.

PCJ #69, Winter 2008 Downtown Futures -- Editor Wayne Senville's trip across the U.S. focused on how a number of communities have sought to strengthen -- or create -- downtowns and town centers.

PCJ #68, Fall 2007 Crossing America -- reports from meetings with planners along U.S. Route 50 from Maryland to California: Small Cities, Big Challenges; Rain to Recreation; First Suburbs; Village People; and Around Town. Also in this issue: assessing the need for a bypass highway; and more.

PCJ #67, Summer 2007 Roadways -- including three articles on roadways: planning for better roadscapes; dealing with commercial strips; and a look at the ITE urban thoroughfares reports.

PCJ #66, Spring 2007 Housing for All? -- changes in public policy and design practices are beginning to prepare for the growing number of seniors who want to "age in place." Also in this issue: approaches to better engaging the public in planning; McMansions and the geometry of zoning; downtown economic development; and more.

PCJ #65, Winter 2007 To Build or Not to Build -- featuring "Proforma 101: Getting Familiar With a Basic Tool of Real Estate Analysis." Also in this issue: a look at the growing interest in walkable communities.

PCJ #64, Fall 2006 Where We Remember -- Planners and planning commissioners often fail to give serious attention to cemetery needs; an overview of issues that come up in planning for them. Also in this issue: why downtown main streets are good for the environment; the importance of "framing" messages; and more.

PCJ #63, Summer 2006 Farm to Community -- featuring articles on food & agriculture, including: Farmland Protection: What's Behind the Growing Interest; Community Food Needs & Opportunities; the Journey from Farm to Table; and Downtown Grocery Stores.

PCJ #62, Spring 2006 Center Places -- a growing number of suburban cities are seeking to creat a hub for their community -- a look at some efforts and the challenges they face. Also in this issue: basics of developing roadway corridor plans; and more.

Your Community & Journeys Into Hidden America

From PCJ Editor Wayne Senville:

Here's an opportunity that might interest your community. One of our regular columnists, Della Rucker of the Wise Economy Workshop, is looking for stories about communities to be produced for radio broadcast on behalf of a Sirius - XM (c) producer. Here's her request:

  

I have been working for a couple of years with the Journeys Into Hidden America multi-media platform to expand opportunities for states and communities to tell the stories that make them unique, and leverage those stories for increased awareness and economic investment. One of Journeys Into's outlets is a segment that airs every week on the Sirius-XM show Left Jab. 

 

Starting in January, the Left Jab segment is going to focus each week on the states where the current presidential primaries or caucuses are taking place. The idea of the segment is to highlight something that makes that state unique -- some specific story about its history, a local product, a sports team, a food ... The producers are looking for a mix of interesting and entertaining stories. Stories will be aired on national satellite radio, but perhaps more importantly, they will also be available as a podcast recording for local governments, community organizations, state agencies, and others to distribute to potential businesses, posts on website, or even serve as a kickoff for a full series of unique promotional podcasts. 

 

Our Fall Issue Is Now Available

Download a pdf of the Fall 2011 issue for $10.75 or Order a print copy for delivery by mail for $12.75, plus postage

Contents of our Fall Issue:
	Our Feature Article: Sitting on Both Sides of the Table by 25 Planners and Planning Commissioners For this 20th anniversary issue of the PCJ, we posed several questions to 25 individuals who have had the opportunity to serve both as professional and citizen planners.
Commission and Staff: Expectations of Each Other by Michael Chandler Long-time planning educator Michael Chandler lists the ten top expectations from both sides of the table, in this popular reprint from our Fall 1996 issue.
	The Role of the Professional Planner by Perry Norton After a career as a planner, planning consultant, teacher, and director of the American Institute of Planners, Perry Norton passed away last year. In this article from our archives, Norton reflected on what professional planners do.
Making a Difference by Otis White 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.
	The Power of Food by Staff from Project for Public Spaces Food trucks; a farmers' market; apple dumplings; and a brick oven. How four communities have used food to bring new life to public spaces.
It's More Complex than Planning a Wedding! by Della Rucker, AICP, CEcD There's no getting around the fact that planning for even a small community is far more complex than planning for even the most elaborate wedding.
	How Wise Is Your Crowd? by Gwen Hallsmith Are there benefits in tapping into the knowledge of a large and diverse group of people?

Draft Article for Review: Food Planning for Your Local Economy

Note from Planning Comm'rs Journal Editor Wayne Senville:

This article is no longer available for review. We usually post draft articles on our web site for about one to two weeks to allow for comment. This article will be published in our Winter 2012 issue, due out at the end of January. Want to be sure you don't miss any draft articles while they're available for review? Simply sign up to receive them by email.