The Planning Department oversees all community planning and zoning activities of the City.  Department staff facilitates development proposals through the review process and coordinates with other City departments whose service delivery to the public may be affected by such development.  Services include day-to-day administration of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) and implementation of the Comprehensive Master Plan (CMP) (including updates); review of site plans, subdivisions and condo plats, rezoning, special uses, special exceptions, planned development districts, variance requests, and zoning compliance permits; providing guidance to property owners on zoning and development issues; and researching answers to planning, zoning, and development questions posed by the public. 

The Planning Department is also responsible for providing development-related staff support for the Mayor and Common Council and primary staff support for the Plan Commission, the Quarry Monitoring Committee, the Board of Zoning and Building Appeals, the Environmental Commission, and the Parks Commission.