The Power of Public Comment: A Love Letter to Your Community
This Valentine's Day, let’s talk about love — not just for people, but for the places we call home. What is the next smallest thing you can do to show love for your community and make it stronger? The answer is simple: Participate in public comment at your local city hall.
Many citizens don’t realize that city councils and planning commissions provide opportunities for the public to share their thoughts and opinions. These public comment periods offer a few minutes at the microphone for anyone to speak directly to decision-makers. Unfortunately, these comments often come at the very end of the planning and approval process, once projects have gone through extensive review. By this stage, the opportunity for real influence is limited. However, it remains a crucial moment for civic engagement.
Too often, public comment sessions become a platform for airing grievances. Many participants use their time to list complaints, frustrations or outright objections. You might recognize these groups — they often organize, wear matching shirts, and deliver fiery, impassioned speeches. While their concerns are valid, the reality is that city officials have become desensitized to these predictable performances. Negativity, while easy to voice, rarely creates meaningful change.
Showing up to express what you don’t like is easy. What’s much harder — and far more impactful — is showing up to share what you love about your community.
Engagement and influence on development projects need to occur well before the public hearing. This conversation needs to actually occur before the application has even been submitted.
A Different Approach: Speaking From the Heart
The most powerful thing a strong citizen can do is use their time at the microphone to highlight the things that make their community special. Instead of focusing on opposition and negativity, take a moment to share appreciation for the things you love about your city.
When you get to the microphone, take a deep breath and start by saying, “I love my community because…
"I love the historic character and charm of our downtown."
"I love that our community is full of small and up-and-coming businesses."
"I love the neighborhood park, with its tree canopy and playground."
"I am grateful for the trails that connect my home to shops or where I work."
"I admire the character and architecture of our community's buildings."
As someone who has stood behind the podium in city hall, I can assure you that these types of heartfelt expressions are rare. When authentic words of love are spoken, they rise above the noise. Do not be surprised if you notice the room go silent as people absorb your words.
Why Positive Public Comment Matters
When you speak positively about your community, you forge connections with others who share your values. Just like love between people, love for a place has a way of bringing people together. Elected and appointed officials remember these moments because they are so uncommon. Your words influence future decisions, as city planners and officials recall what their residents appreciate most.
For example:
If you express love for your walkable main street with small businesses and mixed-use buildings, city officials may reconsider approving a sprawling shopping center on the outskirts of town, or they may oppose the demolition of a downtown building for a parking lot.
If you highlight the importance of green spaces and public parks, future development projects may prioritize maintaining these assets.
If you emphasize the character and mix of uses of your favorite downtown area, policymakers may encourage zoning changes that allow more of that by right, shifting toward compact, pedestrian-friendly development.
Over time, this shift in dialogue can reshape the trajectory of your city. It helps decision-makers focus on the quality of place, not just the quantity of development, and ensures that growth aligns with what residents truly value.
Love Is Contagious
By sharing your love for your community, you inspire others to do the same. The silent majority — those who cherish their city but have never spoken up — will find confidence in your example. Civic discourse doesn’t have to be dominated by negativity. It can be constructive, uplifting and forward-thinking.
This small act takes only a few minutes of your time, but it can have a lasting impact. It creates a ripple effect, encouraging more people to engage in meaningful, solution-oriented discussions about their city’s future.
Take Action: Share What You Love
This Valentine’s Day, instead of just sending love notes to people, send one to your city. The next time you attend a public meeting, take the microphone and say something positive. Find one thing you love about your community and tell the decision-makers why it matters to you.
Let’s build stronger, more resilient communities — one love-filled public comment at a time.
Learn how to make a public comment in the Spring Local-Motive Session on April 3: “How To Give Great Public Comments and Build Safe Streets.” Reserve your ticket today.
Edward Erfurt is the Chief Technical Advisor at Strong Towns. He is a trained architect and passionate urban designer with over 20 years of public- and private-sector experience focused on the management, design, and successful implementation of development and placemaking projects that enrich the tapestry of place. He believes in community-focused processes that are founded on diverse viewpoints, a concern for equity, and guided through time-tested, traditional town-planning principles and development patterns that result in sustainable growth with the community character embraced by the communities which he serves.