The Planning Commission is an advisory body appointed by a governing body (city council or board of supervisors) that is responsible for directing the…

Home is the foundation of life. It is the place where we go to feel secure, warm, recharge and relax. Homes and the communities in which they are…

Land use planning is fundamentally linked to the cost of providing public services and infrastructure. Take, for example, a general plan goal to…

The legal basis for all planning and land use regulation is the “police power,” which is the government’s power to regulate in the name of the public’…

Infrastructure refers to the physical support services necessary for development. At the simplest level, a road, driveway or easement of some type is…

Reviewing project applications is one of a planning commissioner’s key duties. Your local ordinances will specify certain projects that are allowed “…

The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is a formal process to publicly report on the possible environmental impacts of a proposed agency…

Maintaining and enhancing design quality of your community is one of your chief duties as a planning commissioner. You will be thinking about…

Transportation and circulation systems are important to the local economy and quality of life. A capable transportation system helps ensure adequate…

Local legislative bodies – which includes planning commissions – are required in almost all cases to conduct their business at open and public…

Public participation in local decision-making is fundamental to democracy. As a planning commissioner, the public will evaluate your service not only…

The general plan is the foundation for local land use planning. The general plan provides a vision for the foreseeable planning horizon—usually 20 or…