City Council

Member of the Planning Commission

Position Description for Member of the Planning Commission

The Planning Commission is comprised of seven (7) members and is created by Burlington Comprehensive Development Ordinance Article 2, Part 2 (under the authority granted by 24 V.S.A. §4321 et seq.) with the following duties and authority:

  • Prepare and present to the City Council proposed bylaws and make recommendations to the City Council on proposed amendments to such bylaws;
  • Undertake capacity studies and make recommendations on matters of land development, urban renewal, transportation, economic and social development, urban beautification and design improvements, historic and scenic preservation, the conservation of energy and the development of renewable energy resources and wetland protection;
  • Prepare and present a recommended capital budget and program for a period of five years, as set forth in 24 V.S.A. § 4440, for action by the City Council, as set forth under 24 V.S.A. § 4443;
  • Require from other departments and agencies of the municipality such available information as relates to the work of the planning commission;
  • Participate in a regional planning program;
  • Appoint a planning director to be confirmed by the City Council;
  • Appoint such other staff and consultants as the director may recommend to carry out its duties and powers;
  • Undertake comprehensive planning, including related preliminary planning and engineering studies;
  • Perform such other acts or functions as it may deem necessary or appropriate to fulfill the duties and obligations imposed by, and the intent and purposes of, Vermont Statutes Annotated Chapter 117.

Members of this board must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a resident of the City of Burlington; 
  • No more than two-thirds of the members of this board shall be from the same political party.

Members of this board will be appointed for 4-year staggered terms.    

Historically, this board regularly meets twice a month, the second and fourth Tuesdays, starting at 6:30 and lasting approximately 2 hours.  The Planning Commission has three standing committees - Executive, Long Range Planning, and Ordinance.  Each standing committee meets monthly for 1-2 hours.

 In addition, members of this board will be expected to:

  • Attend all scheduled meetings, or if a meeting must be missed, let the chairperson know ahead of the meeting if they will not be able to attend;
  • Review any materials provided to the board ahead of time;
  • Notify the chairperson and/or the city staff person assigned to the board of any accommodation for a disability that may be required in order for the person to serve;
  • Act from a spirit of cooperation and with respect towards other board members, staff members, and members of the public appearing before the board;
  • Avoid actual or apparent conflicts of interest or bias;
  • When deciding a controversy or responding to a request, conduct themselves in a fair and impartial manner;
  • Comply with all aspects of the Vermont Open Meeting and Access to Public Records laws;
  • Consider fairly the interests of all individuals and organizations whose interests may be affected by their actions as a city official. 
  • Attend training sessions to keep abreast of current trends in municipal planning.