American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

What should be the main focus of a senior planner's staff report presentation to the planning commission?

1. Discuss options and staff recommendations

2. Present no more than five major points

3. Use humor to engage the panel

4. Start with special interest groups' needs

The correct answer is: Discuss options and staff recommendations

The main focus of a senior planner's staff report presentation to the planning commission should be to discuss options and staff recommendations. This is crucial because the planning commission relies on the expertise of the senior planner to provide informed analysis and guidance on planning issues. By outlining various options, the planner can facilitate a comprehensive understanding of the implications of each choice, allowing the commission to make informed decisions. Staff recommendations are particularly important as they reflect a professional assessment of the best paths forward based on research, community needs, and planning principles. Engaging the panel through humor, limiting the presentation to five points, or starting with special interest groups' needs may be useful techniques for presentation style or framing the discussion, but they do not address the core purpose of the staff report, which is to inform and guide the commission in their decision-making process through a clear analysis of options and recommendations. Hence, the focus on discussing options and recommendations aligns directly with the responsibilities of a senior planner and the expectations of the planning commission.