Planning Board Decision-Making
Authored by: Betsy Fitzgerald, Erskine Academy

Grade Level: 5-8, 9-12 (adaptable for all these age groups)

The MLR performance indicators listed below are for illustrative purposes. Depending on the focus of the lessons as developed by individual teachers, these indicators may or may not be addressed. Conversely this is not a definitive listing of all of the performance indicators which could be addressed in this lesson.

MLR - Middle Grades: Social Studies: (Civics A - 4, B - 3); Language Arts:   ( Information D - 5, 6, 8), (Writing/Speaking E - 3), (Conventions F-2), (Stylistic G-4,6,7), (Research H-1,8,9); Career Prep: (A - 2, C -3, D -1,4)

MLR - Secondary Grades: Social Studies: (Civics A - 2, B - 2,), ; Language Arts: (Information D - 1, 2,3,5), (Writing/Speaking E - 4), (Conventions F-3), (Stylistic G-5,9), (Research H - 1, 9, 12); Career Prep: (A - 1, C - 1, 4, D - 1)

Task Description

Students will research the responsibilities of Appeal Board members.  After research and discussion, students will model an Planning Board meeting and participate in a decision-making exercise.

Student Products/Performances

Students may be introduced to the concept of Planning Boards by the teacher and/or by an Planning Board member if possible.

After students have discussed the range of decisions made by an Planning Board, an appropriate activity would involve making a decision and stating specific reasons for the decision.

The scenario (particularly effective if taken from an actual situation in the local area) is then presented (could be a role play).
        Sample situations:
        4 Suggested problems to present to the Planning Board

Students could research background materials, similar situations and their remediations, and present the scenario to the rest of the class.

What works well is to have groups present a scenario and select one member of each group to make up the Planning Board for that presentation - selecting a new Planning Board for each scenario.

Resources

Statutes:

30-A M.R.S.A. § 4352, Zoning Ordinances;
CHAPTER 187: PLANNING AND LAND USE REGULATION (HEADING: PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. A, @45);
SUBCHAPTER IV: SUBDIVISIONS;

Municipal Ordinance Authority - Planning Boards, Statutes and Ordinances Which Control Land Use and Which May Affect the Planning Board's Responsibilities; Handbook for Local Planning Boards: A Legal Perspective, August 1982; 
Appeals - Sections IV through VII, Handbook for Local Planning Boards: A Legal Perspective, August 1982;
How to Conduct a Public Hearing, Maine Townsman, April 1998;
Rules for the Conduct of Public Hearings, Planning Board of Town of Standish, Maine
Ordinance Enactment, Legal Note, Maine Townsman, April 1989;
Chapter 1000: Guidelines for Shoreland Zoning Ordinances, Maine Department of Environmental Protection
Comprehensive Plans and Zoning Ordinances, Maine Townsman, March 1991;
Shoreland Zoning, Maine Townsman, May 1991.
Application for Shoreland Zoning Permits, Handbook for Local Planning Boards: A Legal Perspective, August 1982; 
Mobile Home Parks Law: How it Affects Communities, from Maine Townsman, December 1989
Mobile Home Parks and Manufactured Housing, from Maine Townsman, "Legal Notes," October 1988
Development and Lakes: Some Things to Consider, Jeff Dennis, Biologist, Division of Lakes & Biological Studies, Dept. of Environmental Protection, July 1981
Preserving Water Quality Through Watershed Planning, Technical Assistance Series of the Capital Coastal Council of Governments (CCCOG), December 1990
Groundwater Management and Wellhead Protection, Technical Assistance Series of the Capital Coastal Council of Governments (CCCOG), February 1991

Sample forms:

Application for a Permit; Prepared by State Planning Office 
Request for Additional Information;
Notice of Public Hearing to Property Owner; 
Notice of Public Hearing;  
Permit

A visit from a member of a local Planning Board

Criteria for Evaluating Quality of Product or Performance

Students will be able to show understanding of the scope of decision-making of an Planning Board.

Model appropriate behaviors for a hearing and actively participate as a member of a Planning Board.

Show cause and effect of the decision rendered.