Who Are Planning Commissioners and Officials?

Planning Commissioners are volunteer or, less commonly, elected officials who serve on local or regional planning commissions. Commissioners oversee the work of public planning agencies. They initiate and guide long-range planning efforts, conduct public meetings on proposed plans and projects, review development proposals for conformance with local plans and development regulations, and develop new planning programs.

Zoning Board of Appeal Members are appointed, volunteer officials who serve on a board that hears appeals on zoning and land-use matters. The work of the board is generally limited to review of applications for zoning changes, conditional use permits, sign permits, variances, and other appeals. In some communities, the functions of a planning board and a zoning board of appeals are performed by a joint planning and zoning commission.

Planning Board Members are appointed, volunteer officials who serve on the planning commission, the zoning board of appeals, or any other commission or board that oversees planning related issues. This may include historic preservation commissions, design review boards, parks boards, or other boards and commissions that address the well being of the community. The term "Planning Board Member" is a term created by the American Planning Association to encompass these groups.

Planning Officials are any appointed or elected officials involved in planning decisions for the betterment of a community, region, state, or country. The term "Planning Officials" was created by the American Planning Association.