The Board of County Commissioners guides future growth and development to ensure the most beneficial and coherent relationships among the residential, commercial and nonresidential, and public areas of the community. The Board's authority includes the power to create or adopt master plans for development; to review and approve specific land use issues; to approve requested zoning changes; and to dispose of property owned by the county government. This authority gives the Board of County Commissioners its most significant voice in the ultimate growth and development of the entire Johnson County community.
The Johnson County Planning Commission is the principal advisory body to the Board of County Commissioners on issues related to growth and development. Its responsibilities include the preparation of the Rural Comprehensive Plan as well as special area plans and projects. The Rural Comprehensive Plan provides for the physical development of the county and outlines criteria under which specific master plans, development proposals, and zoning regulations are considered, approved, and enforced. As well, the Planning Commission provides recommendations for changes to the Zoning and Subdivision Regulations. The members of the Planning Commission are appointed by the Board of County Commissioners and serve terms of three years.
The Board of County Commissioners is also assisted in the exercise of its land use and zoning authority by five township zoning boards. The township zoning boards provide even more local control over growth and development by incorporating the advice and recommendations of citizens from specific townships and surrounding areas. The township board members are responsible for reviewing all applications for zoning, land use, and development within their respective jurisdictions, for conducting public hearings, and for providing recommendations on each application to the Board of County Commissioners.
Both the Planning Commission and the township zoning boards serve in an advisory capacity to the Board of County Commissioners. Ultimately, the Board of County Commissioners must approve and authorize the implementation of the recommendations and advice provided by either the Planning Commission or the township zoning boards, and must also resolve any disputes between the Planning Commission, the township zoning boards, and citizens. Support for the Planning Commission and the five township zoning boards is provided by the Department of Planning, Development & Codes.
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