By Chris Shadrock
The City of Boerne has been recognized for its commitment to planning excellence by the Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association.
Boerne was one of 53 Texas cities to receive the Richard R. Lillie, FAICP Planning Excellence Recognition Program award for 2024, marking the first time the City has earned this distinction. The Planning Department was recently presented with the award at the APATX State Planning Conference in North Texas.
City Manager Ben Thatcher highlighted the significance of the award.
“Being recognized among other top Texas cities for planning excellence is a tremendous honor for Boerne,” Thatcher said. “Our City is always planning for the future and prioritizing community involvement, professional development, and maintaining the unique character that makes Boerne such a desirable place to live and work.”
The Planning Excellence Recognition Program evaluates cities based on several criteria, including:
- Training of planning commissioners and staff
- Professional qualifications of planning personnel
- Thoroughness of master plan components
- Completion of planning-related projects
Among the projects taken into consideration for the award are the 2018 Boerne Master Plan, the adoption of the City’s first Unified Development Code in 2021, and the recently approved Urban Corridor Design and Enhancement Guide.
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Furthermore, with an increase in professional development, the APA highlighted that 100 percent of the Planning Department staff participated in professional planning training over the past year, ensuring their expertise remains current. In addition, one-third of the staff is certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners, further bolstering the department’s qualifications.
Planning Director Nathan Crane expressed his pride in the department’s work.
“This award reflects our team’s dedication to fostering smart growth and sustainable development in Boerne,” Crane said. “It’s a testament to the hard work and collaboration between the Planning Department staff, council, commissioners, and the community.”
The Planning Excellence Recognition Program aims to increase public awareness of the importance of planning, encourage support for planning initiatives, and aid in economic development and community image. It also promotes ongoing education and training for planning commissioners and staff, helping cities like Boerne continue to enhance their planning efforts and improve quality of life for residents.
