The Union County Planning Commission is a citizen advisory body that helps guide how land is used and developed across the county. Its members are volunteers who live and work here, appointed to serve their neighbors rather than paid staff or elected officials. They bring a mix of backgrounds — farming, ranching, business, construction, and more — to the table.

The Commission reviews land use applications such as conditional use permits, variances, and zone changes. It holds public hearings where neighbors and interested parties can weigh in on a land use proposal before a decision is made. The Commission also makes recommendations to the Board of Commissioners on updates to the Comprehensive Plan and the county’s zoning ordinance. Much of the work involves balancing property rights with the county’s long-term interest in protecting farmland, forestland, and rural character.

Meetings are open to the public and generally take place on the fourth Monday of each month at 7:00 PM. Residents are encouraged to attend in person or online, to testify, or simply listen in on the issues shaping their community. Serving on the Commission is one of the more direct ways a Union County citizen can have a hand in the future of the place they call home.