Tools for Planning Commissioners

Welcome to the OAPA Planning Commissioner resource page.

OAPA recognizes and values the important work that citizen planners provide in communities all across Oregon. Due to the inherent complexities of land use planning, OAPA also recognizes that it is important for OAPA to support planning commissioners through training and other actions. This is the second year that the OAPA Board is offering a web based training program for new and veteran Oregon Planning Commissioners. For the details and schedule of this new program click here or on this sites Home Page link “2009-2010 Planning Commissioner Training Series”.

Cliff Walkey with the City of Bend Planning Commission and John Sullivan with the Lane County Planning Commission are currently appointed planning commission members on the OAPA Board. On behalf of the OAPA Board, Cliff and John encourage you to share your thoughts and ideas on improving planning commissioner effectiveness in Oregon. See information below on how to contact Cliff and John.

OAPA has renewed its commitment to improving resources and training materials for Oregon City and County Planning Commissioners. The following links and resources are useful information for citizen planners:

Planning Commissioner's Journal and Planners Web (www.plannersweb.com). If you go to this link, you'll see that there is a link to a publication by Elaine Cogan from Portland entitled: "Now that You're on Board: How to Survive...and Thrive...as a Planning Commissioner." Also, Ric Stephens from Portland explains why what we say, what we mean, and what they hear at commission meetings does not always correspond.  As a Commissioner you may want to subscribe to this publication, for a $65 annual subscription price, to use as a handy resource.

APA national offers a publication called "The Commissioner" aimed at city and county planning commissioners. Go to: http://www.planning.org/thecommissioner/index.htm to check it out.
OAPA has historically offered Planning Commissioner training, usually by underwriting the "Planning Commissioner's Training Team" - a group of seasoned planning veterans led by John Andersen, FAICP, former community services director in Fairview, among other positions of professional and community leadership. If you are interested in engaging the PCTT, contact John at (503/665-8787 or jandersscc@aol.com).

If you have any further needs or suggestions for planning commissioner training, and how OAPA may be able to better assist Oregon planning commissioners, please don't hesitate contacting our City or County planning commissioner board representatives.

Cliff Walkey, Bend Planning Commission (541) 382-1544 wcw@bendbroadband.com

John Sullivan, Lane County Planning Commission (541) 896-3825 jgsulli@hotmail.com