Planning Series

Duties of a Planning Commission
June 2007

Course Description:
Is it power and prestige? Fame and fortune?... Why do people make the decision to become a planning commissioner? Chances are, it is NOT for any of the reasons listed above. It is because they feel a strong desire and commitment to make their community the best possible place to live and raise a family.

Effective planning is the tool that many communities throughout Pennsylvania are using to achieve certain goals: economic development, historic and agricultural preservation, resource protection, and improved quality of life. The planning commission is one of the vehicles put in place through the Municipalities Planning Code that guides land use, development, community character, and well-being.

Understanding the roles and responsibilities of the planning commission is important for all municipal officials. The tasks that make up their agenda throughout the year can vary but almost always focus on the development and execution of the comprehensive plan, sewage facilities planning, and ordinance reviews. Their actions, and how those actions relate to the governing body, are easily accepted when all involved parties get along.

This workshop has been developed to assist new and veteran members of planning commissions in understanding their roles and responsibilities. Municipal officials, both elected and appointed, will also benefit from attending this workshop. Attendees will gain a better appreciation of the steps the planning commission must follow in order to take actions that impact the short-and long-term plans for their municipality.

Who Should Attend:
This workshop has been developed to help prospective, new, and veteran members of a planning commission become more comfortable with their roles. Municipal officials and staff, including secretaries, managers and elected officials who want to better understand the position of the planning commission member, will also benefit from the information

Instructors:
Neil Kinsey, Former Supervisor
East Hempfield Township, Lancaster County

Denny Puko, Local Government Policy Specialist
Governor's Center for Local Government Services

Course Outline

• Reasons for communities to plan
• What does a Planning Commission look like?
• Duties and Powers of the Planning Commission
• Tips and Hints for the Review of Plans
• Available Resources

Dates & Locations
If you need directions to any of the workshop locations, please visit the facility’s Web site or call the facility at the telephone number listed below.

Registration Information:
The registration fee for this workshop is $25 per person, which includes tuition, materials and break.

Walk-in Registrations:
Pre-registration is strongly recommended. Walk-ins are accepted on a space-available basis. Please note there are times when a session is cancelled or rescheduled. Registered attendees will be notified of schedule changes prior to the session. Call (717) 763-0930 or visit www.palocalgovtraining.org prior to the session to verify the correct date, time and location. Substitutions are permitted without notice.

Cancellations:
Cancellations received less than 10 working days before the session are subject to a $10 penalty. Those received within 48 hours of the session forfeit the full registration fee.

Inclement Weather:
In the event of inclement weather, please verify that the workshop is taking place by calling PSATS at (717) 763-0930. If calling outside of normal business hours, enter extension 166. Course cancellations are updated by 7:00 a.m. on the day of a workshop.

Accessibility & Other Needs:
All workshops will be held at ADA-accessible locations. Please use the “accessibility needs” line to indicate alternate format, sign language requirements, or any other needs you might have.

Class Schedule:
6:00 p.m. Registration
6:30 p.m. Program Begins
9:30 p.m. Adjourn