Cleveland vs. The World: No Planning Commission Report Today

The little ones are home from school today and they get bored easily when I take them to a meeting. Hell, even I get bored.
Instead, I want to bring you up to speed on the workings of the Commission; that is, what is their mandate and how much control do they really have. I would like to eventually fill everyone in on who the members are, what do they do in real life, how long have they been on the commission and other bits of useful information I think everyone should know. This will be an ongoing project, so here is the first part.
The Planning Commission's website states on their on home page:

The City Planning Commission, established in 1915 (as the "City Plan Commission"), is a body of seven members, six are appointed by the Mayor and one is a member of City Council. The Commission is supported by a staff of professional planners and architects. The City Charter gives the Commission responsibility for preparing plans to guide "development and improvement" of the City and its neighborhoods, and for reviewing all legislation and other matters that concern the "use or development of land.”

Chapter 11 of the City Charter

§ 76 City Planning Commission

There shall be a City Planning Commission composed of seven (7) members. One shall be a member of the Council of the City of Cleveland chosen by each Council to serve during the term of such Council, and six members shall be appointed by the Mayor, with the approval of Council, and may be removed by him. The term of the members, other than Council members, shall be six (6) years, except that of the initial appointments, the terms of two members shall be two (2) years, and the terms of two members shall be four (4) years. Vacancies in the Commission shall be filled in the same manner for the unexpired term. The Chairman of the Commission shall be appointed annually by the Mayor from the members and may be removed as Chairman at his pleasure.
(Effective November 21, 1967)

§ 76-1 Directors and Staff

There shall be a Planning Director who shall be nominated by the Commission and appointed by the Mayor at his discretion. He shall be ex-officio Secretary of the City Planning Commission and shall serve until removed by the Mayor with the concurrence of a majority of the Commission. Upon nomination of the Planning Director the Commission shall appoint as its staff such technical and office personnel and assistants as it may deem necessary within the appropriation made available for such purpose. All such appointments, except the Planning Director and his secretary, shall be made in conformity with the civil service provisions of this Charter. Under the direction of the Commission the Director shall supervise and control the planning staff.
(Effective November 3, 1942)

§ 76-2 Powers and Duties of Commission

It shall be the function and duty of the Planning Commission to make and adopt a general plan for the development and improvement of the City, and for any area outside of the City which in the judgment of the Commission bears relation to the planning of the City. No general plan or portions thereof or amendments thereto shall be adopted by the Commission until after a public hearing thereon. So much of the general plan as may be established or from time to time amended by ordinance of Council shall constitute the official map of the City of Cleveland. The Commission shall also make plans and proposals for specific improvements and projects which it deems desirable for the City and its surrounding area and recommend them to the appropriate authority. These plans and proposals shall not become a part of the general plan until adopted as such. The Commission shall have authority to call upon officers and employees of other departments and divisions of the City of Cleveland for assistance in City planning. On or before the 1st day of June in each year the Commission shall recommend to the Mayor a capital improvement budget for the following year and a comprehensive five-year capital improvement program. It shall be the duty of the Commission to take the initiative in planning for the City and surrounding area and it shall have full power to publish and distribute at public expense copies of plans or reports and to promote public interest in and understanding of general plans and of other recommendations or proposals. It shall have authority to make such investigations, maps and studies relating to the planning of the community as it may deem desirable. The Planning Commission may recommend to the appropriate public authorities or private agencies programs for the development and improvement of the community, for the enactment of legislation pertaining thereto, for the building of public structures and improvements and for the financing thereof. The Commission may enter into agreement with other governmental or private agencies necessary or desirable for carrying forward any of its purposes subject to the approval of Council.
(Effective November 3, 1942)

The members consist of :

Anthony J. Coyne, Chairman

Attorney, Mansour, Gavin, Gerlack & Manos Tony specializes in municipal planning and zoning law and general litigation. He is a housing and neighborhood activist as well as a board member of the Near West Housing Corporation. He is credited with providing a professional services link to the Ohio City neighborhood group that provides housing for low and moderate-income families. In 1989, Tony served on Mayor Michael White's "Transition '90" team and was subsequently appointed to the Cleveland Planning Commission. Tony's membership in professional and public service organization include the Cleveland Bicentennial Commission Advisory Board, the Citizens League of Greater Cleveland, the Board of Trustees of the Ohio Planning Conference, and the Cleveland Planning Commission. (From Maxine Goodman-Levin College of Urban Affairs)

David H. Bowen