I just agreed to be on our newly formed township planning commission. We are small and rural. Anyone here ever done this? And do you have any tips, links, thoughtful readings, etc. you can provide to help me begin learning what's expected of me? We have one major development headed our way that I already know about. Probably going to be hot and heavy from the get go. Thanks in advance.
Welcome ... you are now a target!
I have been on several small boards and local associations. The biggest issues i dealt with were...
- Most people are emotional about an issue, very little factual thinking or actual objective reasoning about pros/cons, long term impact, costs, etc.
- Usually 2 sides form on an issue and you will be lobbied by both. Accept you can't please everyone.
- Inside the commission there be power struggles especially if you don't think like them, or if a small sub group forms to try and wrestle control.
- Probably most important .... When you are asked questions, best to keep your opinions close to the vest and ask them more questions to learn where they stand. Yo may also gain insight on things you had not considered.
Try and access what the current zoning laws are, look for any planning docs in place to understand where things stand currently. These should help you understand the culture of planning for the community.
Are there other township depts you will interact with or who will have input? Good to build relationships with other key people as they can help build perspective.
Does the commission have any bylaws, operating agreement, etc? Good to get your hands around actual written governing docs so you have a basis for your position on things. If the commission does not have a mission statement, that would be a good place to start.
