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Return to: PlannersWeb The Effective Planning Commissioner Receive tips Tip of the Month for Januaty 2005., HowtoWork bTem" Effectively With Elected Officials Go to: Archive 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