2. PCSR 10-12-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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THE PLANNING UNIVERSE PLANNING STAFF Understand What Your oped by you and your predeces- agency should be managed.You Planning Staff Does sors. should have more than enough to do studying the issues and Planning commissioners may Your job is to temper their rec- making policy decisions. ... well be unaware of the amount ommendations with information of time that staff spends in deal- developed during the hearing Control your public behavior. ing with major or controversial which was not available to the Never be guilty of berating, requests.Staff may have met staff. It is not unusual for a staff downgrading or insulting the and talked numerous times with to voluntarily reverse or change staff at a public meeting. Yes,it neighbors and the applicant to the details of its recommenda- can be embarrassing if citizens resolve the issues. In essence, tion during the course of a hear- point out apparent errors in staff staff often "lives and breathes" ing' reports or presentations. The these requests for months at a public meeting,however,is not time. r q From, "The Riggins Rules, #30 the place to find out what hap- ly 31"by Fred Riggins (PCJ pened or why... in most cases, From, `Planning from Different #13) a quiet discussion with staff Perspectives,"by Carolyn L. away from the public can work Braun (PC]#24) A Working Relationship out seeming discrepancies or g P disagreements. Don't forget that the staff is Effective staff/commission rela- Reward good work. A simple there to help you in any way tions are vital to the overall suc- "thank you--you did a great possible. It s composed of very cess of planning in your com- job last night before that group P P ry munity,whether your planning of hostile homeowners" can be capable professional people with agency has one, ten, or one just the right comment to uplift vast experience. Lean on them hundred employees. Good will a harassed lannin staff when heavily. They can pull you out and an understanding of the it a ears the whole town has of many a bad spot if you give pitfalls that impede sound rela- taken up arms against them. sit and let chance.. Othey o do problems tionships can help you solve any Take your planning director to problems that may arise. lunch. Praise a particular piece not give them the respect which P P is their due. Remember that Resist the temptation to "micro- of staff work at a public meet- their usual practice is to remain manage." After you have been ing. ... There are all manner of silent unless they are specifically on the job any time at all,you ways you can--and should -- asked to comment. Most of will become more familiar with reward your often overworked them consider it presumptuous and undervalued planners. p p planning jargon,and the rules and unprofessional to inject any and regulations of your com- There will always be some ten- unsolicited comments into the munity, than most citizens. Still, sion between commissioners hearings.Always ask them to you are not expected to be a and staff; you have different re- comment prior to the final vote. professional planner. Indeed, sponsibilities and, often, differ- you not take staff recommenda- you would be less effective as a ent perspectives. But the sooner [ions It take These recommenda- citizen planning commissioner you can develop a creative part- if you were. nership and the more you can dations are made after much P -- Y study by professional people Even if you are a successful pro- nurture it-- the better it will be with years of experience in their fessional or businessperson, it is for everyone. field and are based on pertinent not appropriate to try to tell the From, "Staff Needs a Little TLC, laws, ordinances,regulations, planning director whom to hire Too!,"by Elaine Cogan (PCJ#3) policies, and practices devel- or fire or how you think the