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The Effective Planning Commissioner
Receive tips Tip of the Month for Januaty 2005., HowtoWork
bTem" Effectively With Elected Officials
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of Tips When was the last time the planning board spent weeks
or months on an important issue, only to have your
decision overturned by your elected city council or
commission?
If this happens often, you should ask yourselves what steps you
can take to make sure this is a rarity and that planning
commission policies and decisions usually are supported by your
elected body. It may be very interesting to sit in on your
governing body's meeting when an appeal of one of your
decisions is being considered. You may not enjoy hearing people
disagree with your well -reasoned approach, but the experience
should reveal other points of view you may need to consider in
the future.
If the content or form of the planning commission's findings
often are set aside or ignored, you may be able to find simple
changes that will make them more acceptable; If the findings are
okay but the governing body disagrees with your conclusions,
revisit the issue with one or mom officials or staff to find out why
you are out of step. This knowledge may help you cmft a
winning strategy the next time.
Be acquainted with the political platforms of the members of the
governing body. Did someone campaign for office and win by
promising to end all planning in your community? Are some
members strongly pro or anti -growth? That type of information
are clues to how individuals may respond to specific planning
issues. Even in the face of tacit opposition, you should not give
up. You and the other commissioners should arrange a visit to
explain your positions and the positive results of good planning
on your community -- and also listen attentively to the elected
official's contrary ideas.
In such relationships, do not ask planning department staff to
convey your message. It is most effectively conveyed, and
received, if you do it yourselves. Politely but firmly insist that you
speak to the appropriate elected official, not to staff.
Another relationship -building activity is to invite elected officials
to a retreat or informal workshop where you try to reach
consensus on a common vision, goals, objectives, and planning
agenda. Even if the best you can do is agree to disagree, you will
have heard each other and begun to form relationships that will
be useful in the future.
4/l/2005
Most importantly, strive to be open and cordial in all your
relationships. Remember, you will have to work together
tomorrow ... and tomorrow. Your community deserves no less.
Elaine Cogan, partner In the �ortland, Oregon, planning
and communications fim of Cogan On&ens Cogan. She is
the author of Successhut Public AfeeffiVs, A RoacDcal
Gulde(APA Manners Press). Her column, '�e Effective
Manning Commissioner,* regularly appears in the Nanning
Commission.
You can also sign up to autornatically receive Elaine's
Monthly ties by mail.
4/1/2005