The Planning Department is responsible for guiding development and managing future growth patterns within the City. It proposes and implements programs, projects, plans and legislation that positively affect the development of the City as a community. Topics that fall under the purview of Planning include Zoning, downtown revitalization, tree planting, historic preservation, housing programs and economic development.

The Planning Department provides staff support to the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals, reviewing applications that appear before each board and preparing reports in advance of board meetings.  The Planning Department also administers the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, a Federal grant used to fund various projects in the City, and performs grant administration tasks for other State and Federal grants that fund various plans projects and programs within the City.