The Planning Commission

In many locations across the nation, discussions continue regarding the removal of detrimental urban interstates. In the case of New Orleans native, Amy Stelly, it is time for this to happen. Through her efforts, a section of an elevated freeway bifurcating her childhood neighborhood will soon be demolished bringing back a community of peace, fresh air, and social interaction. Check out her websit...

Preserving elements of our history all while continuing to address the needs of the future is a tricky endeavor for planners. We don't always get it right but strive to achieve a good balance. The Honorable Sara Bronin is the current Chair of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and a professor at Cornell University. Her efforts are helping shed more light on the ways we can ensure w...

The Planning Commissioners love people who are direct and honest about what is happening in our industry and to our many communities. Kea Wilson and her Streetsblog USA colleagues have been leaders in this philosophy for many years. We talked with Kea about her writings and those of Streetsblog and covered topics such as the federal transportation bill, electric vehicles, the continuing impacts of...

Getting Americans to walk more is the mission of America Walks. Mike McGinn is the organization’s  Executive Director and the former Mayor of Seattle. Advocating for the design, funding, and maintenance for our nation’s walking infrastructure all while trying to build a safer overall transportation system, is just part of the mission of America Walks.  Support the show Our Website : https://thepla...

Walking and biking to school should be a common event for America’s kids. But, since 1969, participation rates have plummeted. The National Safe Routes to School Partnership has been working for two decades to reverse the course. Marisa Jones joins us from the Partnership to talk about the organizations ongoing efforts to bring a little more walking and bike riding back into our children’s lives....

How many consultants does it take to change a lightbulb?  Depends on your budget. We know, we know, consultants can sometimes have a bad wrap. Othertimes however, they can deliver incredible plans, policies, and projects. All three Commissioners are consultants with a wealth of experience to draw from. We explore the topic of consulting in this episdoe, get very personal, and share how the industr...

Knock knock..... Who's there?  Commissioner. Commissioner who? Commissioner who CLEARLY didn't read their packet!!! Nate Hood, Planning & Zoning Commissioner from St Paul Minnesota joins the show to talk about what makes for a good session, a good staff report, and solid public testimony. Sidenote, Nate is an aspiring stand-up comedian as well and certainly has a way of making his po...

"Red Lines, People of Color, and White Flight." We take a serious dive into Environmental Justice with a national expert Charles T. Brown. Be prepared for an honest a raw discussion on what the planning profession has done and needs to do to improve the lives of all Americans. This compelling interview with special guest Commissioner Tara Crawford is one you'll want to watch, take a...

“THOSE people need a place to live too!!!” Affordable housing has been a huge subject in planning circles for the past decade. Shellan Rodriguez is an expert developer of such housing and tells the Commission how planners can help and how they get in the way of such community needs. Rockstars gonna rock and Shellan fits the bill. Support the show Our Website : https://theplanningcommissionpodcast....

"Who's Ready For Some Fun?" Placemaking is one way planners instantly create an engaging and interactive location in our communities. What exaclty is placemaking, how does it work, and where has it left its mark? Kelly Verel of Project for Public Spaces stops by to talk all about it. If you wanna learn more, head over to their website and read all about it:  https://www.pps.org/ Sup...

Next Stop, America's Largest City, is an episode all about the happenings in transit, particularly in the largest geographic city in the nation. What is working, what is not, and how is the world of transit adapting to a post pandemic landscape? Tara Crawford answered those questions and much more in an episode that may have just helped us find our fourth commissioner. Support the show Our We...

Plant a tree, save a life. Yes friends, it really is that easy. Geoffrey Donovan sat down with us to talk urban tree canopy. Shade isn't the only thing these magnificent tools of planning do for us. There isn't a single tool in our figurative tool box that does more to benefit our citizens and communities than trees. Don't believe that, well then listen to Mr. Donovan and learn a th...

Holy Cow....Secretary of Transportation Roger Millar who is also the new Chairman of AASHTO, sits down with the Commission to kick off season two. Roger has been a planner in many roles including transportation, community development, and environmental work. His career is fantastic and he has a great sotry to share. This episode was eye opening, heartening, and a whole lotta fun. Check it out.  Su...

Ho Ho Ho...Scrooge HAD to be a Planner!!! The Commssion discusses their own acheivements, those of the planning profession as a whole, as well as who deserves coal. It has been a fun first season thanks to you the listeners and viewers, this is an episode to put a pretty Xmas bow on our initial season and do a little reflecting.  Support the show Our Website : https://theplanningcommissionpodcast....

Busted: Bankrupt Big Box Boondoggles, is one heck of an episode with the nationally acclaimed Joe Minicozzi. This episode busts many myths that the big box model is the more prosperous one. In fact, Joe examines how smaller and more downtown buildings and businesses are the true engines of the local economy. He backs all of his claims with tons of data and research that he shares with The Planning...

Donald Shoup has been the nation's leading voice on parking requirements, how parking shapes our cities, and the many problems embeded in the planning profession regarding parking. This episode explores that topic and then some, resulting in an episode that not only left us informed, but also with a headache from laughter.  Disclaimer*  There is discussion regarding massage parlors and adult...

Here Comes the Sun.....Sarah Mills is not only a planner extraordinaire, but she is also one of the most knowledgeable planners regarding renewable energy and local government regulations. Wow did we learn a lot, and so will you after watching this episode. Not sure if the Commission has laughed any harder during an episode as we had a blast. Hope you enjoy this episode. Support the show Our Websi...

Jeff Speck has been a leader in making America's cities vibrant and active for three decades. His seminal book Walkable Communities, is enjoying its 10 year re-release with tons of new content. To celebrate his work, Jeff joins the Planning Commission for a fabulous conversation about why and how our communities/governments should strive to be more walkable. Support the show Our Website : htt...

Directing is powerful. Directing is fun. But, what all does it take to be a director? How should a Director look at the current state of planning/government while also applying career lessons? What a conversation we had with the City of Boise's Planning and Development Servies Director, Tim Keane, AICP. Tim is new to Boise and has spent most of his time in the southeast, including his last po...

Where do planners get their information? How do they learn and stay relevent? One fabulous source is Planetizen. We sit down with the Editorial Director, James Brasuell and learn all about content dissemination and what's popular among us planners and government types. Check em out: https://www.planetizen.com/ Support the show Our Website : https://theplanningcommissionpodcast.com/ YouTube: T...

Are there enough movies made about the planning/local government profession? Are there any movies made about planning? Oh you better believe there are. This was a fun episode with lots of laughs and worth your time. Better yet, what are some we missed? Have fun and be sure to watch some of the movies we mention and HIT THAT LIKE BUTTON....pretty please.   Support the show Our Website : https://the...

Okay, anarchy may be a stretch, but significant changes, not so much. Join our discussion with the creator of Panethos, Rick Brown, AICP. The Commission and Rick talk about the ways planning and local government needs to be shaken up, a few necessary interventions, and some improvements that would make our profession even better. Check our his blog in the meantime: https://panethos.wordpress.com/...

The third rail of planning- to AICP or NOT to AICP? This is a subject that's been on our minds and many others we talk to. What is the value of AICP? What are the issues and improvements to consider? We dive head first into the deep end of the planning and local government pool on this one and examine the topic inside and out.  Support the show Our Website : https://theplanningcommissionpodca...

Dr. Richard Jackson has been a leading voice and calling for improving America's built environment in the name of public health for well over a generation. His story is incredible having worked with children experiencing communicable diseases initially, to then witness the rise in Type II Diabetes sky rocket among our youth, which propelled him into action. He has been a strong leader for cha...

Our country is shaped by all sorts of decisions and one of the most critical is that of our street and road network designs. Traffic Engineer, truth teller, and courageous Planner, Chuck Marohn P.E. joins us in The Planning Commission chambers. What a discussion we have about all the ways we have missed the mark in transportation planning, the unintended consequences on our communities, and how to...