A strange story from a suburban city in Northern California gives a black eye to the public planning process, and the idea of conducting essential civic duties remotely during an international public health crisis.
Chris Platz, a planning commissioner in the city of Vallejo, CA, recently resigned from the commission after drinking beer and throwing a cat during a Zoom meeting, reports John Glidden.
"Chris Platzer said in an email to the Vallejo Times-Herald [in April] that he has resigned from the Vallejo Planning Commission, effectively immediately — days before the Vallejo City Council was set to consider a resolution removing him from the seven-person commission."
"Platzer was seen drinking a beer and throwing his cat through the air during a commission meeting held via teleconference on April 20," adds Glidden.
From a follow up article, also by Glidden, comes news that the Solano County Sheriff’s Office opened an animal welfare investigation after Platzer's conduct during the meeting.
The details of the strange episode in planning history made national news, with articles on the subject appearing in Time, The New York Times, CNN, the Los Angeles Times, The Seattle Times, and more.
FULL STORY: Chris Platzer says he has resigned from commission after drinking beer and throwing cat during meeting
Regulatory Considerations for Online Public Engagement: Ensuring the Viability of Projects
As online engagement becomes increasingly important during COVID-19, so does understanding compliance with legal requirements.
Another Planning Commissioner Ousted After Coronavirus Controversy in California
Another cautionary tale of a planning commissioner that went too far during the social upheaval of the coronavirus pandemic, and has since been removed from their civic position.
Biden Signs Legislation Ending Covid 19 National Emergency
The Covid 19 national emergency enacted by then-President Donald Trump in March 2020 was officially ended on Monday by President Joe Biden.
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Test News Post 1
This is a summary
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service