Opportunities to Serve on Municipal Land Use and Planning Boards

If you have come this far, you have more than a passing interest in shaping the future of your city/town and our state. Thank you for your interest, and we hope to play a role in your success.

Local planning can address many local issues, and is often accomplished by several types of land use boards including Zoning Boards, Planning Boards, and Conservation Commissions. The primary duty of the land use board is a challenging one, balancing the public good (your fellow townspeople) with private rights and interests (businesses, developers, and other similar entities). Oftentimes your fellow townspeople will speak out about the ramifications of new projects. Listening intently will help you understand more about specific projects and their impacts.

Some people desire to help their communities in any way possible. Others are drawn to serve by specific issues or events, and have realized that taking part in municipal land use boards is a way they can shape their neighborhood and give back to the community. Zoning Boards, Planning Boards, and Conservation Commissions are vehicles by which civic-minded community members can help create appealing towns for people of all walks of life to “stay, work, and play.”

Zoning Boards, Planning Boards, and Conservation Commissions have the unique power to create positive-growth places where a diverse population will want to (and can afford to) live, offering childcare, culture, gathering places, public transportation, and vibrant nightlife. These boards play a vital role in making our communities more livable, walkable, vibrant, and diverse. They are about more than housing; they can play a role in nearly every aspect of residents’ feelings of community.

Depending on the town, you would either be appointed or elected. There are different types of board members. Some are alternates who are required to attend meetings and only vote when voting members are not present. Others are full voting members who have the opportunity to vote on nearly every project that might arise.

  • Follow meeting procedures, including attending meetings and arriving on time
  • Keep an open mind and treat those who are speaking with respect
  • Listen
  • Prepare for meetings in advance by reading any relevant materials and conducting research where appropriate
  • Remain ethical – you should be able to pass the “red face test” (if something appears in the paper, would you be embarrassed to see it?)
  • Take advantage of training as it becomes available to you
  • Remain mindful of what’s best for the community at all times
  • Remain impartial
  • Ensure that you are keeping meeting matters private (away from social media or online bulletin boards)

The responsibility for local land use decisions can be divided into two functions: planning (policy) and regulation (land use review). The depth of these roles will vary depending on the town’s structure; some towns have a Development Review Board as well. You will need to understand local zoning and its impact on improving community vibrancy and making municipalities more appealing. 

For those who secure a role on a land use board, you will need to remember that some board members have served much longer than you have and have experience you do not. Stay positive and remember that they did not join the land use board with that wealth of knowledge; you, too, will learn and become experienced over time. Be patient with yourself. 

You will need to develop a regular process to prepare for each meeting. Whether it is scheduling dedicated quiet time to read the relevant documents or catching up in small bites when available, following a process to ensure you are prepared will be essential to your confidence and participation. We will provide you resources to ensure that you are ready to be a contributing member as quickly as possible, too. 

Looking for information about your municipality?
Select it from the dropdown below to learn more about the process to become involved.