Independent and Informed
by Greg Dale

PCJ columnist Greg Dale explains why it's critical that planning commissioners be independent and informed.

Imagine that your commission has a member who regularly attends meetings unprepared. (For some of you, this may not be much of a stretch to imagine.) As a result, the member displays little depth of thought or discussion on matters before the planning commission. He may appear to always "rubber stamp" the position of staff, or may repeatedly ask questions that have no bearing on the application or were addressed in the information provided. Obviously, this is not an independent and informed commissioner.

But is there an obligation for planning commissioners to exercise independent and informed judgment in reviewing matters? ...

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