Assignment No 2 PC Report
Assignment #2
Planning Commission Attendance/Report
Email to XXXXXXXXXX
(Approximately 1-2 pages double-spaced per Planning Item so 4-6 pages total)
The goals for this assignment are to familiarize the class with navigating a local
government agency website, reviewing written staff reports relating to land-use planning items,
and attending planning commission hearings. The instructions for the assignment are as follows:
1. Based in part on what works for your schedule, choose a local Planning Commission
meeting to attend with at least three land-use planning items on the agenda. My
preference is that you watch live but you can also watch video of a prior meeting. You
can also analyze three items from three different meetings. The goal is to get interesting
items. By local I mean something close to where you live that you are interested in or
any other jurisdiction that you are interested in. Just google the City you are interested in
and planning commission and you should be able to find agendas.
2. Prior to the meeting that you have chosen to attend, review the staff report for each land-
use planning item on the agenda to familiarize yourself with the item. A couple of days
efore the meeting the staff reports should be available on the public agency website.
(You should be able to click on hyperlinks on the agenda for each item) This will help
you understand what is going on when you attend the meeting.
3. Attend the Planning Commission meeting. While at the meeting, take notes that you will
use in writing up your summary of the meeting.
4. For each item on the agenda, prepare an approximately XXXXXXXXXXword/one-page to two-
page summary of the item. This will include at a minimum the following: (1) describe
the project, i.e. what is the developer trying to build; (2) summarize the entitlements, i.e.
what is the application seeking to obtain approval for (zone change, subdivision map,
design review, etc.); (3) what is the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”)
compliance; (4) what are the key neighborhood issues for the project, i.e. traffic, views,
density?; (5) summarize the public hearing, i.e. the staff report, public comments, and
deliberations by the Planning Commissioners; and (6) state the result, i.e. did the
Commission approve, deny or continue the item. Although often legal issues raised by
the City Attorney do not come up at the public hearing, comment on these if they exist.
5. State your personal impressions and thoughts after attending the meeting. Was it what
you expected? What did you find interesting?
If you have any questions on this assignment, please let me know. Thanks.
mailto: XXXXXXXXXX
Writing Tips for U
an Planners: Write with an Eye toward Making it Easy for the Reade
Writing Tips: Make it Easy for Reade
• Staff report style. (Not 5 pages with no headings or Executive
Summary)
• Proofread
ead it out loud.
• Shorter paragraphs/sentences are better (avoid prepositions/use
active voice).
• Use subject headings/introductory paragraphs/executive summary.
• Two-page rule.
• Remember make it easier for reader.
• Defined terms, i.e. the City of Santa Clara Planning Commission
(“Planning Commission”)