Patience is essential, especially in the contentious situations that often confront the planning board. You need to exercise patience over your own inclination to rush to judgment after a cursory review of the "facts" as they are presented by staff or an applicant, or seem to be borne out by your own experience. You should be patient with other board members who may have a different perspective or are slower to grasp complicated concepts.
Most importantly, you must be patient with the public at those inevitable public hearings or meetings. Though citizens often care deeply about a subject, they may become excited and emotional or express themselves in less than perfect grammar or syntax. All citizens deserve to be heard with patience, no matter how misguided you may think they are. This is not to excuse rude or disruptive behavior, which must, of course, be controlled. Lastly, you should not exhibit your impatience. Tapping a pencil on the desk, whispering to a neighbor, interrupting or answering abruptly are common bad habits that should be avoided.
Have patience with the planning process, and with the citizens to whom it is important. You may be surprised how often the quality of your final product is improved.
Have patience with the planning process, and with the citizens to whom it is important. You may be surprised how often the quality of your final product is improved.
Elaine Cogan, partner in the Portland, Oregon, planning and communications firm of Cogan Owens Cogan. She is the author of Successful Public Meetings: A Practical Guide (APA Planners Press). Her column, "The Effective Planning Commissioner," regularly appears in the