When City Planners Oppose Elected Officials

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?

1 minute read

November 16, 2006, 6:00 AM PST

By Christian Madera @http://www.twitter.com/cpmadera


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

Tuesday, November 14, 2006 in Sun-Sentinel

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

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.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Aerial view of Albuquerque, New Mexico at sunset.

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.

May 16 - Source NM

Close-up on white bike helmet lying on pavement with blurred red bike on its side in background abd black car visible behind it.

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.

May 16 - Wood TV 8

Muni bus on red painted bus-only lane in downtown San Francisco, California.

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.

May 16 - Mass Transit