Planning Commissioners Journal

Planning Commissioners Training

Posted by Betsey Krumholz, General Manager, Planning Commissioners Journal

The PCJ is excited to announce a collaboration with Planetizen on a new planning commissioners online training course -- something we have been talking about with Planetizen for years. Using PCJ content from 16 years of publishing, along with new material, Ric Stephens (a PCJ author) will "teach" the course virtually.

I don't know about your community, but training was not exactly a high priority for mine when I joined the planning commission more than a decade ago. I was handed a book with the city charter, zoning code, municipal development plan and a few words of encouragement from the planning director and mayor. Then I was expected to sit in a large room with all the other new city commissioners (library, parks, cemetery, etc.) to hear about open meeting laws, and not much else. I did not feel "trained."

For all of our 16 years, editor Wayne Senville (who I served with as a member of our local planning commission) has been publishing articles that help planning and zoning commissioners, governing body officials and other citizens involved in the planning process understand the job, the issues and the "universe" in which they operate. It's terrific that with Planetizen we can now break down the topics into smaller training modules and offer a real training that will help people get up to speed faster -- especially since the issues grow more complex each year.

Of course, we will still be publishing timely articles in the PCJ that will keep you fresh and excited about planning in your community --- but if you know a planner or two who would appreciate a leg up, send them to the Planetizen website at: www.planetizen.com/courses/commissioner

For those of you who prefer hard copies of training materials, let me suggest two of our publications:

1. "Welcome to the Commission: A Guide for New Members" and
2. Our latest publication -- by Elaine Cogan -- "Now that You're on Board: How to Survive ... and Thrive ... as a Planning Commissioner"

Use the links for details about these two very helpful booklets.

Summer issue of PCJ focuses on roadways

Planning for Better Roadscapes. Every town has main roadway corridors that form the framework around which the community develops. Taking a fresh look at them can lead to land use policies that better meet your long-term goals & objectives.

Fitting Roadways to Community Needs. A much needed approach to integrating the transportation objectives of roadways with design considerations that take into account the built environment and pedestrian needs.

• Late Nights with the Commission. Why the length of your meeting does make a difference.
• When Major Players Come to Bat. How do you deal with the "major players" in your community when land use issues are at stake?

Time for our readers to check in

Posted by Betsey Krumholz, General Manager, Planning Commissioners Journal

Wayne's trip and the "threads and trends" research leads me to an odyssey of my own.  I have been here at the office all summer tracking the national planning news for cutting edge stories, the sorts of things that a few planners have been thinking about, but that most of us have not considered in our own communities ... yet.  What I look for are items that seem to be local, but, in fact, have implications for most of our subscribing communities either immediately or in the not so distant future. 

The PCJ is always looking for ways to keep our readers informed -- and thinking about the planning implications of legislation, economics and social change in other communities helps the PCJ keep planning commissioners up-to-date on the concepts that are sure to pop up sooner or later.  We try to find writers that can sum up the issues for planning commissioners (and other citizen planners) in ways that get folks thinking proactively -- facing these topics ahead of the game, instead of reacting once the decisions must be made. Also, many communities have come up with innovative strategies to deal with the "nuts and bolts" of planning commissions -- something our readers tell us they want to hear more about. 

Having come up with quite a list (see a short version below), I'm wondering if our readers have some topics they would like to toss in. Of course, a thumbs up or down on my list is also welcome.

1) How will changes in consumer preferences affect local development?  This could mean anything from fuel costs, to aging populations, to managing home versus work commitments.

The PCJ Across the USA ... and home again.

Wayne is back from his grand adventure - crossing the USA on Route 50 from Ocean City, MD to West Sacramento, CA.  Thanks to all of you who followed along, sent words of encouragement, or queries about specific issues for Wayne to ponder in his travels. 

The PCJ asked a few simple questions in each community Wayne visited along Route 50 -- just to get the conversation going, and also to form a baseline from which to find threads or trends.  I will post the questions here so you can jump in and be part of the virtual road trip and add your answers to the mix. Wayne returned tired from his travels, but invigorated, and he is beginning work on the Fall issue of the PCJ which will begin to synthesize what he learned in his 6 week odyssey.  Stay tuned! .. and don't forget to make sure your subscription to the PCJ is up-to-date!

Wayne's Route 50 discussion questions:

• What do you view as the most challenging issues your planning departments/commissions are currently facing (especially if we can focus in on just a couple of issues)?

• What do you view as your departments/commissions’ most significant accomplishments in recent years? and

• In what ways have your communities most changed over the past decade, and what trends are having the biggest impact on you right now?

Send your responses directly to our office email at info@plannersweb.com.  Thanks!

Betsey Krumholz