Ethics

Ethics is a set of principles or values that govern the actions of an individual or a group. The principles must be commonly accepted by the group, coherently expressed, and uniformly applied if the group wishes to act in an ethically responsible manner. In the field of planning, there has been a sharp increase in articles, training sessions, and animated debate over the issue of appropriate planning ethics. Ethical standards apply also to boards of adjustment, boards of appeal, design review committees, preservation committees, and other similar positions. They even apply to temporary planning committees. Every planning commission and zoning board should have bylaws and rules of procedure, including statements of ethical principles, by which the commission or board intends to operate. Such rules set the legal minimum that all participants have a right to expect: due process, fairness, and equity for all planning process participants.