Planning Commissioners Journal

In the "Center Ring" With New PCJ Contributing Writer Della Rucker

From PCJ Editor Wayne Senville:

Della Rucker is planner with an extensive background in economic development. She's also a talented writer. We're pleased that Della will be joining the Planning Commissioners Journal as a regular contributing writer. I recently asked Della several questions both about her first column for the PCJ, included in our just published Spring issue.

Wayne: In our Spring issue we're running your first column. It's titled "Welcome to the Tightrope Act." In it you say that planning commissioners "stand in the center ring" and need to balance market forces and community needs. I think many people would think of planning commissioners as focusing pretty much on developing the local comprehensive plan and reviewing development proposals -- not dealing with local economic concerns. Why do you take a broader view?

Della: The reason why I emphasized that approach comes from both my experience in what works best to make communities successful for the long run -- and the practical matters that I have observed over many years of sitting in planning commission meetings!

First, the big picture part: We have to start thinking of our communities less like sets of separate systems, and more like an ecosystem, where all of the parts directly impact each other. The land use decisions that a planning commission makes, and the physical and functional character they promote, don’t just impact what the place looks like -- they also impact how people feel about the community, whether they believe that the community is a worthwhile investment, and whether they have confidence in the community’s future. 

Similarly, when other agencies make decisions -- whether transportation, park and recreation departments, neighborhood and downtown nonprofits, school districts -- those decisions have a direct impact on the issues that are supposed to be the planning commission’s main responsibility.

We know all that in our guts, but the systems we are given to work with pretend that these issues are separate, and they often keep us from acting on that gut understanding. Since planning, by its nature, is a bit more, shall I say, omnivorous that some of the other systems, like engineering or recreation, the planning commission often becomes the place where the impacts that one decision has on other elements of the community most fully come out.

The second reason why I say that is simple observation: every planning commission in the country finds itself in that center ring sooner or later, trying to manage a whole range of impacts, and often without a whole lot of useful tools. And planning commissions often get the blame for the unintended and unexpected impacts of what other parts of the local government or other community organizations do. That’s why the article is titled “Welcome to the Tightrope Act” -- like it or not, as a planning commissioner, you’re part of the circus!

Wayne: In what sort of ways can planners and planning commissions better address their community's long-term economic needs?

Draft article on Affordable Housing & Its Economic Benefits

 -- DRAFT ARTICLE FOR YOUR REVIEW --

Understanding -- and Harnessing -- the Economic and Fiscal Benefits of Affordable Housing

by Rebecca Cohen and Keith Wardrip

 

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 two weeks to allow for comment. This article will be published in our Summer 2011 issue, due out at the end of July.

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.

 

A Back Issue Bonanza -- Our April Special

We're doing some Spring cleaning this month -- and you can benefit! We're offering the following 12 back issues of the Planning Commissioners Journal at more than 50% off. For recent subscribers, it's a great way to catch up. For long-time subscribers, you'll find issues worth making available to new members of your commission. For others, it's a chance to explore some excellent PCJ back issues.

To view the detailed contents of each back issue click on the issue covers or titles below. But you need to return to this page to order to receive the special discount price. Note: there is a $2.50 shipping charge per back issue, up to a max. of $5.00 for as many back issues as you order. Your order will be sent first-class or priority mail. Sorry, but no additional Planning Comm'rs Journal subscriber discount on these low prices. You can also order by phone: 802.864.9083. Best between 10am and 4pm Eastern. We can invoice local governments.

This Land Is Your Land -- Five articles focus on land use and takings claims, including the feature article "Taking Aim at Takings Claims," by noted land use attorney Dwight Merriam. $7.50, instead of standard $15.75 price (you must order here to receive the discount)

Center Places -- a growing number of suburban cities are seeking to create 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. $7.50, instead of standard $15.75 price (you must order here to receive the discount)

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. $7.50, instead of standard $15.75 price (you must order here to receive the discount)

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. $7.50, instead of standard $15.75 price (you must order here to receive the discount)

Roadways -- including three articles on roadways: planning for better roadscapes; dealing with commercial strips; and a look at the ITE urban thoroughfares reports. $7.50, instead of standard $15.75 price (you must order here to receive the discount)

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. $7.50, instead of standard $15.75 price (you must order here to receive the discount)

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. $7.50, instead of standard $15.75 price (you must order here to receive the discount)

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. $7.50, instead of standard $15.75 price (you must order here to receive the discount)

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. $7.50, instead of standard $15.75 price (you must order here to receive the discount)

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. $7.50, instead of standard $15.75 price (you must order here to receive the discount)

Child Care in Our Communities -- a look at how communities are responding to the challenge of providing for child care facilities. Also in this issue: understanding the "deep mystery" of traffic congestion; how to plan for our canine population; and more. $7.50, instead of standard $15.75 price (you must order here to receive the discount)

Energy Independence -- a growing number of communities are taking steps to promote energy conservation and save money. Also in this issue: a look at planning-related issues facing our aging population; and more. $7.50, instead of standard $15.75 price (you must order here to receive the discount)