Planning Commission

Public Comment

What Is a Planning Commission?

Planning commissions fill an influential advisory role in planning processes, maintaining citizen oversight of government planning powers and also providing a public forum for debate about the future of communities.

May 24, 2022 - James Brasuell

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia Could Hit the Brakes on Housing

With bills on the table to update its zoning code, Philadelphia may be poised to slow the pace of its housing construction.

May 24, 2019 - Philadelphia Inquirer - Philly.com

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Facebook Campus Expansion Moving Forward in Menlo Park

A proposal to expand Facebook's footprint in the city of Menlo park gained key approval from the city's planning commission recently. The full City Council still needs to approve the plan.

October 4, 2016 - San Jose Mercury News

Government Reform Proposed for Better Planning in Philadelphia

Geoff Kees Thompson digs into one component of this old city's proposed mayoral platform for Philadelphia: the need to organize the city's alphabet soup of planning agencies under one director and give the Planning Commission teeth.

August 26, 2014 - This Old City

L.A. Reforms Postwar Zoning Codes

The City of Los Angeles Planning Commission has reintroduced sweeping reform of the zoning codes in an effort to streamline planning processes. "This marks the first overhaul of codes since their last revision in 1946," said City Planner Alan Bell.

August 19, 2010 - Architects Newspaper

From Commissioner to Planner: Switching Sides

Dave Stauffer was a planning commissioner in Red Lodge, Montana before taking a job as a city planner. Wayne Senville talks to Dave about making the switch.

April 21, 2010 - Planning Commissioners Journal

Teens on Planning Commissions? No More, Says Michigan

Michigan's one-year experiment in giving local mayors and township supervisors the option to appoint someone less than 18 years-of-age to a planning commission appears to be coming to an abrupt end.

October 17, 2009 - Building Place Notebook

How to Speak Senior Citizen

Elaine Cogan gives these tips for talking about planning issues with senior citizens and getting the most out of them throughout the planning process.

October 1, 2009 - Planning Commissioners Journal

Worcester County, MD Consolidates Planning Depts.

Due to economic hardship, the Worcester County, Maryland is proposing to consolidate 3 departments into 1, cutting 11 jobs out of 65, just as new codes are coming online. Environmentalists are concerned.

August 6, 2009 - Center for Public Integrity

City Deciding if Treehouse Violates Code

A kids treehouse in Highland, Arkansas is facing the local Planning and Zoning Commission, who may order its destruction. Is a treehouse a 'structure'?

March 14, 2009 - Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Richard Meier Church Sent Back to Drawing Board

The Pasadena Planning Commission has again rejected famed architect Richard Meier's plans for an Episcopal church in the city center. Commissioners believe the plan does not fit with Pasadena's historic character.

January 26, 2009 - The Architect's Newspaper

What IS Mixed-Use, Anyway?

"Mixed-use"? "transit-oriented development"? Development in Farmington, Utah hits a wall while the planning commission debates definitions.

June 2, 2008 - The Salt Lake Tribune

Street Trees Are New York's Newest Accessory

A new zoning requirement passed by the New York City Planning Commission will require all new developments to plant trees along the street.

March 28, 2008 - The New York Times

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Top Books

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Planning apps for a brave new world.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.