What happens when the professional planning staff advising an elected board disagrees with the conclusions of the elected board, and is required to submit a proposal that the planners opposed to a state regulatory agency for approval?
Palm Beach County's planning director told county commissioners on November 13th that he and his staff would not "compromise our professional integrity" by supporting commission development plans with which they disagree. County Commissioners say Director Lorenzo Aghemo and the county's Planning Department are undercutting their agenda when it comes to land use amendments that require approval from the State Department of Community Affairs, such as an 11-acre office park that commissioners endorsed on November 13th.
"...it makes us look ridiculous, because we've approved something and you sent up [to the state agency] all the reasons we shouldn't have," Commissioner Mary McCarty said. "I think it puts us in a very bad light...you need to take out and reword staff's part of it, to support what the commissioners are saying when they're making their votes."
County staff had urged commissioners to reject the proposal, saying it isn't compatible with the surrounding rural community and would add too much traffic to nearby roads. Commissioners had approved the proposal. The decision virtually ensures a court battle with the state agency, which had raised objections to the project initially. A Deputy County Administrator said she would check to see how other counties handle the issue.
Thanks to Sheryl Stolzenberg
FULL STORY: Palm Beach County officials at odds with their planners on developments

Rethinking Redlining
For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network
The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

New State Study Suggests Homelessness Far Undercounted in New Mexico
An analysis of hospital visit records provided a more accurate count than the annual point-in-time count used by most agencies.

Michigan Bills Would Stiffen Penalties for Deadly Crashes
Proposed state legislation would close a ‘legal gap’ that lets drivers who kill get away with few repercussions.

Report: Bus Ridership Back to 86 Percent of Pre-Covid Levels
Transit ridership around the country was up by 85 percent in all modes in 2024.
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.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions