Tips for Speaking at a Planning Commission Meeting

1.) Have at least an outline of what you want to say and practice it a few times at home. Some places have strict limits on how long you can testify. 

Even if they don’t, having an outline or speech helps you avoid rambling incoherently. It may also help to ensure that you're not driving home saying, "If only I'd have said..."  To quote Franklin Roosevelt:  “Be brief. Be sincere. Be seated.”

2.) If you’re part of a group, find the best speaker and let them do the majority of the speaking. It may not be right, but to a great extent, ideas are judged by how well they are expressed. Eloquence is not required, but a good way with the phrase or a debate point never hurts.

3.) Regardless of the outcome, get the name, preferably a business card, of the staff person who is handling the case for the city. Although they may have argued for the opposing side, they will be your ally in shaping the development and mitigating anything objectionable if it is ultimately approved.

4.) Avoid denigrating or insulting staff or the commission. While I, as a planner, have never been close friends with anyone on the planning commission, there’s a familiarity based upon the fact that we meet once or twice a month for several hours. 

Most commissions that I’ve worked with get somewhat protective of the staff. They know that I’m a professional and will act as one. This may not stop them from grilling me or chastising me for missing something that they thought was important, but it’s almost like a sibling relationship... They can get upset with the planner, but this person who just showed up tonight had better not do it. 

 5.) Regardless of the outcome, remember that there’s still public business to be done. I remember once in Missouri, there were at least 30 people in the seats to show support for a conditional use and, after it passed, they all stood up and started talking amongst themselves, as if they were in a lobby waiting for an elevator. It took the head of the county board at least three sharp bangs of the gavel to get the attention of the group and have them shepherded into the hall where they could talk as they wished while we continued on the agenda.

6.) It’s not a wedding, but leave the grubby jeans and ripped t-shirt at home. Just like item 2, ideas are judged to an extent by the person who presents them.  Business casual is usually best, or if it involves your business and your business has a uniform, that works as well. Valid exceptions to the uniform rule might be strip clubs or fast food chains.

7.) Pay attention to the concerns and questions that the Planning Commission members have raised on other cases. Sometimes, these are things that can relate to your case. 

As planners, we know from experience what types of questions certain members are likely to ask and what concerns they may raise.  (If we’re smart, we’ve already addressed them during our presentation.)  Typically, whenever I've had to work with a new commission, I've, at a minimum, read the last several months of commission minutes and, if possible, viewed the last several meetings on video.

8.) Know the process. If you don’t, ask. It’s usually best to ask before the meeting, but it is a valid question to ask at the podium. Most of the time, the Planning Commission is just forwarding a recommendation forward to the council.  A battle won or lost at this step is not usually the end of the line.

9.) Calm is good. No one wants to see hometown version of Howard Beale’s “Mad as hell” speech from the movie “Network”.  Just like the old adage that you’ll catch more flies with honey than vinegar, you’ll be far more successful with a strong argument than loud volume.

10.) If it’s televised, please don’t wave at the camera and say, “Hi, mom!”  I’ve actually witnessed that happening. Seriously. Don’t. Do. It.