The Planning Commission

The first planning commission was created in 1907 in Hartford, Connecticut. Since then, there has continued to be debate about the role of a planning commission in local government. Relying on lay citizen volunteers, it's underlying purpose has been to insulate the planning process from undue and inappropriate political and administrative influence. These knowledgeable appointees have formulated long-range and comprehensive plans for the growth and development of their communities.

The planning commission has a role different from the planning department, for it is the watchdog on the planning process. While the planning department is made up of professionally trained staff dealing with technical and administrative aspects, the planning commission represents the public's viewpoint on planning proposals. Such public input is critical. As once stated by former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis, "Since government is not an exact science, prevailing public opinion concerning the evils and the remedy is among the important facts deserving consideration..."

Made up of appointed volunteers from the community, most of them not trained in planning, planning commissioners, through their commission meetings, provide a forum for the public to be represented as part of the legally required development review process.

Most commissions are made up of individuals from a variety of backgrounds. They may include attorneys, real estate agents, architects, contractors, community leaders, and others. Typically their philosophy as commissioners falls into one of two categories. They can be "accommodationists," who feel their role is to expedite the development process and see it runs as smoothly as possible, ensuring the technical aspects have been satisfied. Or they may be "reformists," using their position on the commission to guide the city toward some ideal goal, supporting projects which they feel contribute to achieving that ideal, and impeding others which do not.

Major functions of Commission include:

Why have a Planning Commission?

Planning commissions were created in the 1930s as a response to the graft found in "boss"-run city governments of the time. At that time, political bosses regularly handed out contracts as political favors and used development projects as a means to ensure reelection.

As a result of the Standard City Planning Enabling Act of 1927, new legislation encouraged communities to draw up planning documents and regulations. Planning departments were created, but as an arm of city government they were subject to the pressures of political officials. The planning commission was created to step outside this structure, for as one critic said at the time, "Planning is too important to be left in the hands of professional planners."

During the 1930s, planning commissions took on much power relating to the budgeting and planning of roads. By the 1950s they also became integral to the many housing programs of the period. In recent decades their effectiveness has been questioned, as graft has been largely eliminated from the everyday operation of local government, and the extra layer of bureaucracy between the planning department staff and city council has been seen as unnecessary. However, most communities still rely on a local planning commission as part of the structure of development approval, and as such an integral part of any revitalization program.

A good resource on the role of planning commissioners is:
Albert Solnit. 1987. The Job of the Planning Commissioner. Chicago: APA Press
Suggested other pages...
Profile of Planning DepartmentPlanning Dept, Organization Chart