Planning Commissioner Resources

OAPA offers a number of resources specifically intended to support Planning Commissioners in their roles supporting development in their local communities.

Planning Commissioner Handbook

In 2015 OAPA worked with DLCD to update the Oregon Planning Commissioner Handbook (April 2015). The Handbook is based almost entirely upon the Planners Training Team’s Planning Commissioners Training Manual, and has been updated and reformatted to link to the vast amount of information that is now available via the internet.

Planning Commissioner Training at Planners Network Meetings

As part of select Planners Network Meeting events, OAPA offers low-cost Planning Commissioner training at events held around the state each year. See the OAPA Events Calendar for more information on upcoming Planners Network Meetings.

In September 2020, the Planning Commissioner Training was held virtually due to COVID-19 and the video is available for purchase:

OAPA/DLCD Planning Commissioner Training

“Keeping Out of Hot Water: Land Use Decision-making for Planning Commissioners, Elected Officials, City Administrators, and Planners” – Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) Community Services Manager Gordon Howard, and David Doughman, contract attorney for the City of Cornelius, Oregon, cover the basics of state and local responsibilities, the role of planning commissioners and staff, decision-making bodies, ethical behavior, ex parte contact, quasi-judicial vs. legislative hearings processes, and legally defensible findings. (Recorded 9/16/20)

Chapter-Only Membership

OAPA's Chapter Only Membership option is a great, low-cost way to engage Planning Commissioners in the programming that OAPA offers. Contact membership@oregonapa.org for more information.