Administration/Project Management

Question 1

What is “the Planning Department”

Answer 1

planning agency is a department within the municipalities executive branch

the planning director reports to muni’s chief executive and planning commission has an advisory role

Question 2

What is the “Independent Planning Commission”

Answer 2

Traditional planning agency form. Agency’s staff is solely responsible to the planning commission.

Standard State Zoning Enabling Act

Members are appointed by governing body.

Question 3

What is the “Community Development Commission”

Answer 3

planning, code, enforcement, economic development, and housing re grouped together in an agency similar to “planning department”.

Question 4

Difference between line and staff departments

Answer 4

staff planning department performs policy analysis for the governing body

line planning department performs subdivision reviews, zoning ordinance amendments, code enforcement. Line staff provide services directly to the public

Question 5

what does term “development management”mean

Answer 5

organized attempt to build relationships between a planning agency and outside officials, administrators, authorities, and other government units

Question 6

what act is the traditional independent planning commission based

Answer 6

Standard City Planning Enabling Act (1928)

Question 7

What is the relationship between a planning director and an INDEPENDENT planning commission

Answer 7

director reports to commission

Question 8

what is the relationship between a planning director in more common “planning department” model

Answer 8

planning director reports to chief executive

Question 9

what is the role of a planning director in a “community development organization”

Answer 9

planning director does not report “directly” to chief executive

Question 10

who do line and staff functions report to

Answer 10

line planning director reports to chief executive

staff planning director reports to mayor

Question 11

what are the four common organizational structures within public planning agencies

Answer 11

1. by function (land use, transportation)
2. by process (research, design)
3. by time frame (long range, current)
4. by geographic area (downtown)

Question 12

What are staff reports used for typically

Answer 12

rezoning, variance, site plan

Question 13

What are the 3 Cs of a good staff report

Answer 13

Compliance - identify codes application is subject to, how it complies with them

Consistency - land use map and if project is consistent

Compatibility - most subjective. evaluate projects compatibility