Planning Commission

Board Information 

The Planning Commission is a public advisory board appointed by the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) to review public and private activities involving the physical, social, and economic development of the county and to review and make a comprehensive plan for the physical development of the county. The Planning Commission affords residents the opportunity to actively participate in the planning of the county; to formulate and review the zoning regulations of the county; to learn all facets of the regulations governing such functions; and assume an active role in zoning and subdivision activity. The Planning Commission also serves as the Board of Zoning Appeals for the county.

Members 

The Planning Commission consists of 10 regular voting members. Two members are appointed from each County Commission District, 4 members are appointed at-large from the county (or in accord with County Commission Policy). Planning Commission members are appointed for terms of up to 3 years, and each may serve for 2 consecutive full terms.

The Planning Commission has the primary responsibility for approving the County's comprehensive plan. A comprehensive plan is a generalized, coordinated land use map and policy statement of the governing body that interrelates all functional and natural systems and activities relating to the use of lands within, or surrounding, that jurisdiction. The Commission reviews all proposed amendments to the comprehensive plan and periodically conducts special studies to keep the plan current or assigns related studies to county staff or to consultants.

The Commission advises the BOCC on zoning related issues conditional use permits, subdivision development, and site plan reviews. Uses designated conditional uses may not be appropriate in a particular location depending on the nature of the proposed use, its relationship to surrounding land use, its impact on traffic capacities, and potential environmental effects. The Planning Commission reviews conditional use applications so the community is assured that the uses are compatible with their locations and surrounding land uses.

Planning Commissioner 

In the preparation of plans, the Commission has the authority to conduct open public hearings, studies, surveys, prepare maps, charts, exhibits, reports, and to perform all other acts and duties necessary to the promotion of public interest and understanding of the Commission's programs and plans. There are no minimum skills and abilities that an applicant must have to be appointed as a Planning Commissioner, however, the following list has been identified as those skills and abilities that make a quality Planning Commissioner:

• A basic understanding of the development process
• Ability to compromise and work within a team framework
• Ability to make decisions based on the best interests of the county, rather than the interests of the applicant, or other special-interest groups
• Ability to read maps, plats, site plans, etc.
• Attention to detail
• Open mindedness
• Willingness (obligation) to contribute (speak in a public forum)
• Willingness to listen and learn

Written and Online Comments

Written and online comments are accepted up until the Monday prior to a public hearing. Written comments must include the commenter's name and address in order to keep an accurate record of the hearing.

Public Notice 

Notice of a public hearing for an agenda item must be published in the official county newspaper at least 20 days in advance of the hearing date. Public hearing items include: Rezoning requests, conditional uses, special use permits, comprehensive plan amendments and regulatory test amendments.

Review Materials 

Review materials include supporting data for zoning amendments, preliminary and final plats, data for exceptions for signage requirements, data and justifications for variances and conditional uses, and drawings and sketches for site plans. All materials must be received at or before the Application Deadline. Exceptions may be made for small final plats or re-plats.

All changes, amendments, and review of public dedications that require approval by the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) are scheduled 14 days or more after final action by the Planning Commission. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us via:

• Ph: 785-457-3551
• Gregg Webster, Zoning Administrator
• Stephan A. Metzger, County Planner