Community development committees focus on economic, urban, and housing issues, and may review proposed projects related to housing development, make recommendations for the sale of city-owned properties, and discuss ways to revitalize the community. They meet regularly to ensure the community is safe and economically viable.
A community development committee is a type of planning council that often exists as part of an elected city council or other elected city leadership group. Committee members may be elected or may be volunteers who serve on the committee as part of their other duties. In general, a community development committee is focused on economic development, urban development, and housing issues. They can also discuss community policies, as well as regeneration projects to improve the community and make it a productive, safe and economically viable place to live.
One of the most common jobs of a community development committee is to review proposed projects related to housing development in the community. The committee may review the plans and compare them to local zoning ordinances in an effort to determine the permits that must be obtained, any effect on local taxes, and the overall community impacts of the project. Communities don’t want to undertake projects that will be too costly or that could be harmful to the community as a whole; the development committee helps ensure that this doesn’t happen. In some cases, the development committee also discusses the logistics of a project, such as which firms or contractors will be hired, provided there are no conflicts of interest.
For city-owned properties, the community development committee could also make recommendations for its sale. To some extent, regulating the city or municipality’s business environment could be part of their job, as could ensuring that businesses and manufacturers comply with zoning rules. For example, the community development committee may refuse to allow a manufacturing plant or waste treatment facility to be installed near a school, based on zoning and planning laws for the city.
Community revitalization is also an important part of the work of many community development committees. The committee could discuss ways to increase tourism or community involvement in the area, support local businesses, or support the work that needs to be done to make the area a safer place to live. For example, installing streetlights, replacing dangerous sidewalks, or painting or remodeling business fronts on main roads are all examples of community revitalization. This may involve grant applications, proposal reviews, or other work that requires input from a number of different people. Consequently, these committees generally meet at least once a month, if not more often.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
