Responsibilities of the Planning Board

The primary responsibility of the Planning Board is to advise the Town Council, Town Staff and other agencies and boards on matters affecting community development. In particular, the powers of the Planning Board are:

1. Community Plan. The Planning Board may prepare a community plan as will provide for the improvement of the Town and its future growth, protection, and development, and will afford adequate facilities for housing for all income levels, transportation, distribution, comfort, convenience, public health, safety and segments of the common general welfare of its population.
2. Land Use regulations. The Planning Board may draft and recommend the adoption or amendment of land use regulations to the Town Council.
3. Review subdivisions. The Planning Board may approve, conditionally approve or disapprove subdivision plans for the purpose of providing for the orderly and wise development of the Town and affording adequate facilities for housing, transportation, distribution, comfort, convenience, safety and the health and welfare of its population.
4. Review site plans. The Planning Board may review and approve, approve with modifications or disapprove site plans according to standards set forth in the Zoning Ordinance or Subdivision Regulations.
5. Official Map. The Planning Board shall review and make a recommendation to the Town Council to change or add to the Official Map of the Town so as to lay out new streets, highways, or parks or to widen or close existing streets, highways, or parks. The Town Council’s adoption or revision of the Official Map does not obligate the Town to commence condemnation proceedings to acquire land in the bed of a street as shown on the map, nor does it compel the Town to open a street shown on the map.
6. Report on referred matters. The Planning Board may report on all matters referred to it by the Town Council, including proposed amendments.
7. Investigations and reports. The Planning Board shall have the authority to make investigations, maps and reports and recommendations relating to the planning and development of the Town as it deems desirable, provided that the total expenditures of such actions shall not exceed the appropriations for its expenses.
8. Rezoning requests. The Planning Board shall review and make a recommendation to the Town Council to rezone or deny rezoning a property or properties. After public notice and hearing, the Planning Board shall take in consideration the rezoning request to identify if the request is in character with the Land Use Plan and the Zoning Ordinance.

Specific Duties of Planning Board Members

• Recognize and avoid or make public any conflict of interest your position may place you in; don’t pursue special privileges; maintain confidentiality; and let your behavior contribute to the smooth operation of your board. Much acrimony can be avoided this way.
• Become familiar with the law that covers public open meetings and hearings and review the materials you were given when you were sworn in.
• Attend monthly Planning Board meetings to review and discuss up-coming agenda items, development issues, work program activities, and to review and make decisions on land use development applications, changes to the Town’s land use regulations, Town wide, neighborhood, and sub-area plans.
• Attend occasional special work sessions with the Town Council, various interest groups and other planning related presentations and field trips.
• Have a willingness and dedication to commit both time and personal energy to the Town Planning Board.
• Have an interest in comprehensive community planning, zoning, and subdivision of land, and the protection of the environment.
• Have a desire to assist in implementing the Town of La Grange’s Vision Statement and land use policies, including the Land Use Plan, Subdivision Regulations, Zoning Ordinance, and Environmental policy, for the purpose of protecting the health, safety, and general welfare of the residents.
• Have a willingness to encourage and accept input from citizens, organizations, and those directly affected by land use related actions made by the Planning Board.