Planning Commission

The Planning Commissioner's Role

The planning commission consists of five individuals who have been appointed by the Town Council to review and act on matters related to land use planning and development and make policy recommendations to the Town Council. Most Planning Commissioners are engaged community members that do not necessarily have land use experience but seek to steward the Community's vision set forth in the Truckee General Plan and other adopted Town planning documents. Each commissioner serves as a representative of the Councilmember that appointed them so as Council changes, the planning commission may change as well. Balanced planning commissions are ones that represent a wide range of community perspectives and stakeholders.

The planning commission plays a central role in the planning process in three important ways. First, it acts as an advisory board to Council on all planning and development issues. Second, the commission assures that the Truckee General Plan is implemented by reviewing development applications on a case-by-case basis. Just as you build a building one brick at a time, you implement a community vision one project at a time. Third, the commission functions as the decision-making body for many proposals. However, any planning commission action can be appealed to the Council, which can uphold the commission's decision, overturn it, modify it, or send it back for further study. Some examples of planning commission responsibilities include:

• Land Use Application review such as Use Permits, Planned Developments, Tentative Maps of 5 or more parcels
• Review, hold hearings on, and making recommendations to Council on zoning ordinances, policy, special studies
• Consider environmental factors in project review and policy recommendations

The Planning Commissioners do a lot of "heavy lifting" for the Council and community working though project review and recommendations and they spend countless hours helping shape the community.

Public Hearing Procedures

The Public Hearing Procedures (PDF) explains the format of public hearings before the Planning Commission and giving presentations to the Commission.

Town of Truckee Planning Commission Values Statement

February 14, 2006

Background

In the spring of 2006, the Planning Commission held an off-site workshop to discuss how we work with the intention of improving our efficiency and work processes. At that meeting we reviewed and discussed the League of California Cities Public Service Values for Commissioners. An outcome of this meeting was a commitment to express our beliefs and values on how we will treat each other, the staff and the public.

Purpose

he purpose of issuing a values statement is to outline the behaviors by which we, as a governing body, will conduct the community's planning commission meetings. It is the intention that each future member of the planning commission review and sign this statement, agreeing to support these values. It is also our intention that future planning commissions amend the statement to improve or clarify the statement.

Statement

We support and seek to uphold the following values and will demonstrate our commitment by conducting the community's business according to the following supporting behaviors.

Fairness

• I review applications and make other decisions based on the merits of the issues.
• I honor the law's and the public's expectation that the general plan and other planning policies will govern development decisions in our jurisdiction.
• I support the public's right to know and promote meaningful public involvement.
• I am impartial and do not favor developers or others who are in a position to help me.
• I promote equality and treat all people, projects, and perspectives equitably.

Compassion

• I recognize government's responsibilities to society's less fortunate.
• I consider exceptions to planning policies when there are unintended consequences or undue burdens.
• I realize that some people are intimidated by the public process and try to make their interactions as stress-free as possible.
• I convey the agency's care for and commitment to its community members.
• I am attuned to and care about the needs of the public, officials, and staff.

Respect for Others

• I treat fellow officials, staff, and the public with courtesy, even when we disagree.
• I focus on the merits in discussions, not personalities, character, or motivations.
• I gain value from diverse opinions and build consensus.
• I follow through on commitments, keep others informed, and make timely responses.
• I am approachable and open-minded and I convey this to others.
• I listen carefully and ask questions that add value to discussions.
• I am engaged and responsive.
• I involve staff in all meetings that affect agency business.

Responsibility

• I come to meetings prepared.
• I do not disclose confidential information without proper legal authorization.
• I represent the official positions of the agency to the best of my ability when authorized to do so.
• I explicitly state that my personal opinions do not represent the agency's position and do not allow the inference that they do.
• I refrain from any action that might appear to compromise my independent judgment.
• I take responsibility for my own actions, even when it is uncomfortable to do so.
• I do not use information that I acquire in my public capacity for personal advantage.
• I do not represent third parties' interests before my agency or neighboring agencies.

Integrity

• I am truthful with my fellow commissioners, the public, and others.
• I do not promise that which I have reason to believe is unrealistic.
• I am prepared to make unpopular decisions to further the public's interest.
• I credit others' contributions in moving our community's interests forward.
• I do not knowingly use false or inaccurate information to support my position.
• I excuse myself from decisions when my or my family's financial interests may be affected by my agency's actions.
• I disclose suspected instances of corruption to the appropriate authorities.

Public Trust

• I remember that my obligation as a public official is to serve the whole community.
• I make sound planning decisions that implement the policies expressed in the general plan.
• I consider the interests of the entire community in reaching my decisions.
• I give full considerations to all aspects of a project, including protection of the environment and the need for affordable housing.
• I promote the efficient use of the agency's resources.
• I balance the fiscal impacts of a project with the agency's social and planning goals.

Vision

• I work to assure that the vision expressed in the general plan is one that works to improve the quality of life in my community.
• I am proactive and innovative when setting goals and considering proposals.
• I maintain consistent standards but am sensitive to the need for compromise, thinking outside the box, and improving existing paradigms.
• I promote intelligent innovation to forward the agency's policies and services.
• I consider the broader regional and statewide implications of the agency's decisions and issues.