Fall 2008 Planning Comm'rs Journal

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Contents of the Fall Planning Commissioners Journal:
Pattern Books: A Planning Tool by Amy Souza "Pattern books" filled with historical and architectural data and guidelines can help cities and towns protect and enhance their identity. The push to create them often comes after a community creates a special redevelopment district, or witnesses buildings that seem out of place. A look at the growing use of pattern books.
	Where Do We Want to Go? by Jim Segedy, FAICP, and Lisa Hollingsworth-Segedy, AICP Communities benefit when their plans establish clear-cut goals and target areas for future growth. City and town plans are also increasingly stressing the value of local entrepreneurship in maintaining community character and strengthening the economy.
GIS and Planning by Thomas L. Millette, Ph.D. An overview of the world of geographic information systems, with examples of some useful planning-related applications. Plus sidebars on how citizen planners in one New York county are making use of GIS, and a look at the future of GIS.
	The Endemic Problem of Information Overload by Elaine Cogan As a planning commissioner, do you sometimes suffer from information overload? Some suggestions for relief.
Ten Things to Avoid by Ric Stephens Planning consultant (and commissioner) Ric Stephens on ten practices and behaviors for planning commissioners to steer clear of.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Image:FusedGridDistrict.png	Planetizen Update Highlights from op-eds posted on Planetizen's "Interchange" pages, including a look at the culs-de-sac and the "fused grid" alternative.

In Future issues: Innovative Approaches to Stormwater Management | How Phone Trees Can Increase Public Participation | An Introduction to Transit-Oriented Development | Strategies for Avoiding Contentious Public Hearings | Good vs. Bad Density | Using Zoning Incentives | Planning Strategies to Promote Energy Conservation | and much more
Recent Back Issues:	Special Focus Issues:
Summer 2008: Greenways | Developing at the Edge | An Introduction to Charrettes | and more	Winter 2006: Bright Ideas: 21 creative planning-related ideas & programs you should know about
Spring 2008: Car Sharing | Revisiting Ex Parte Contacts | Chairing the Commission | and more	Fall 2005: This Land Is Your Land: on "takings" and property rights, and how planners can respond
Winter 2008: Downtown Futures: continuing a series of reports from planners across the U.S., focusing on downtown issues	Fall 2004: Back to School for Planners: on the impacts of school location, and the relationship between planning and school boards
Fall 2007: Crossing America: a series of reports from planners across the U.S. | Bypass Highways | and more	Spring 2004: Sphere of Influence: water and its impacts
Summer 2007: Planning for Better Roadscapes | Fitting Roadways to Community Needs | and more	Fall 2003: Planning for Historic Preservation: an introduction to historic preservation planning
Spring 2007: "Visitability" & Inclusive Housing | Downtown Economic Development | Engaging the Public | Geometry of Zoning | and more	Winter 2002: Opening the Door: planning for affordable housing
Winter 2007: Introduction to the Use of Pro Formas | Planning for Walkability | Downtown Grocery Stores | and more	Spring 2000: The Promise of America: noted planning historian Laurence Gerckens, FAICP, looks back at 10 successes & 10 failures that have most affected America's cities