News
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Right to Farm Act can preempt local regulation authority, but not all local regulations
Published on November 19, 2019
Many statutes and laws result in limiting local government’s ability to adopt and enforce regulations. Most are straightforward, but the Right to Farm Act preemption is confusing, changing and only preempts local regulation of certain things.
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Right to Farm Site Selection GAAMP needs local government attention
Published on November 19, 2019
Site Selection GAAMP provides opportunity for local government to lead discussions about urban agriculture and local food production, and work to accommodate this economic activity.
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The case for data literacy in public sector organizations
Published on November 8, 2019
Why public sector organizations need to become more data literate.
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Code of conduct for planning commissioners and zoning board of appeals members
Published on November 7, 2019
Use of a code of conduct/oath of office is recommended for planning commissioner and zoning board of appeals members. It helps underscore a person’s role, expected behavior, and differences between elected officials and members of administrative bodies.
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Preparation, deliberation and documentation are key to effective government meetings
Published on November 6, 2019
Public planning and zoning meetings go better when each member actively engages in preparation, deliberation and documentation. These activities occur before the meeting starts and continue for the duration of the meeting.
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Not all public participation events are charrettes
Published on November 6, 2019
Charrette is a very specific type of public involvement system for design and planning projects. Do not be fooled by people calling every public participation event a charrette.
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Difference between a zoning ordinance and a master plan
Published on October 10, 2019
The zoning ordinance is a law with penalties and consequence for not following it. A master plan is a policy document that expresses intent. It is not an enforceable document and is not law.
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Old versus new: Understanding the new economy part 2
Published on October 8, 2019
A very fundamental structural shift has occurred with economic development. In this new economic age, it pays to know the difference between the old and new economy.
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Ensuring public participation in meetings takes work and organization
Published on October 8, 2019
Meaningful public participation requires some very basic communication skills. Remember the key components of planning effective meetings.
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Qualifications-based selection, not bidding, is best to contract with professional services
Published on October 8, 2019
Many believe governments should bid for jobs over a certain dollar amount. But bids are not always the best selection system. When hiring professional services Qualifications-Based Selection is the better system to use.
