Is it Time for Planning Commission Reform?

How can we make this citizen's board more responsive?

The City of Troy stands out due to its unique governance system as a "Statutory City," deriving its laws directly from the Ohio Revised Code rather than a City Charter. This distinction impacts various aspects of city administration, including the structure and function of its planning commission.

Troy's planning commission plays a crucial role in land usage decisions, recommending re-zoning applications and plat layouts to the city council. It also approves alterations within the downtown historic district. Unlike charter communities where planning commissions typically consist of 5-7 appointed individuals, Troy's commission composition is dictated by Section 713.01 of the Ohio Revised Code.

The commission includes the Mayor, the President of the Board of Park Commissioners, and the Director of Public Service and Safety, along with citizen members. While the Mayor's and Park Board President's involvement promotes coordination and direct voter representation, the inclusion of the Director of Public Service and Safety as a voting member raises concerns about the separation of powers.

This arrangement blurs the line between policy-making and policy-enforcement roles in local government. The Director's position on the commission potentially creates an imbalance, as they have greater access to information and oversee staff providing insights to the commission. This situation may put other commission members at a disadvantage and compromise the principle of separation of powers.

To address these concerns, one proposed solution is to modify the Director's role to an ex-officio capacity. This would allow the Director to provide valuable insights during discussions without having voting rights on agenda items. Such a change could help initiate a separation between policy-making and policy-enforcement within Troy's local government.

While immediate reform may not be necessary, the city is at a stage where productive discussions about potential changes to the Planning Commission can take place. These conversations are crucial for ensuring that Troy's governance structure continues to serve its citizens effectively while maintaining the principles of democratic representation and separation of powers.

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