Who Shall Serve? Public Interest vs. Special Interest
by Greg Dale

Is it appropriate for citizens who have represented "special interest" groups to serve on local planning boards? Greg Dale considers the ethical dimensions of this question.

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One of the challenges in the long-term health of a planning commission is the appointment of commission members who are best able to serve the public interest. Naturally, the background of potential members is important factor in the selection process. But to what extent should the past involvement of potential commissioners in "special interest" groups pose a problem?

Consider the following scenario. Your city council is in the process of appointing two new commissioners. The mayor and council have developed a list of potential candidates. Among them, a developer who has been an officer in the local home-builders association, and an environmentalist who has been active in a local "save open space" organization. Each has appeared before the planning commission in the past.

The mayor and council are soliciting advice as to the most appropriate candidates. You question the wisdom of appointing those who have been active in special interest groups dealing with planning and zoning issues. You are concerned about future conflicts of interest and also troubled by having "special interest advocates" serve on the planning board.

Are there good reasons for your concerns? Should communities avoid appointing individuals who have been involved with special interest groups?

There are several broad issues raised by these questions:
1. Should the planning commission reflect the prevailing values of the community?
2. What is the community, through its governing body, trying to achieve in the way it structures its planning commission?
3. What message is being sent to the public?
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